10/28/04
Dear
Ones –
Good afternoon on a Thursday – a good day – another
day in which God has gifted us with life and love and work and opportunities.
I hope it is a good Thursday for you and yours.
God is indeed good –
all the time. So far the response (your response) to our stewardship campaign
– “Stewardship – A Measure of Our Faith” – has been tremendous.
As of last Sunday, October 24th, we have received pledges for 2005 in the amount
of $192,832, toward a hoped for goal of $352,000! This is about 55% of the goal,
and it is the highest response in pledges we have had on a Commitment Sunday in
several years! Thank you all so very much. If you still have your pledge card
at home – please bring it Sunday or mail it in.
In our prayers these
days, please remember these good folks:
Cliff Stout – still at Hurstbourne
and doing physical therapy
Deb Sexton - who is recovering from her now 3rd
hand surgery – and doing well.
Lorna Pierce – who had some minor
surgery this week
Susan Rock – struggling with some MS symptoms
Doug
Jones – who did not have the planned surgery, but had other procedure to
help clear up the infection on his tonsils, and was singing away at choir practice
last night
Chris Sexton – who is recovering from surgery on his elbow
(which he broke while ice skating – and falling!)
Carl Mills – former
pastor here, now retired, who is recovering at home from two neck surgeries (Carl
and June’s address is 604 W. Cove Condo, 1100 S. Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL
32751).
Several others who need to remain nameless here, but who are known
to me – and more importantly, to God - who are dealing with family struggles,
marital struggles, domestic violence, or with tremendous grief which is putting
them into a faith crisis.
We all can also give thanks to God for the birth
of Allyson Nicole Meade, newborn daughter of Becky and Nathanial Meade, and big
brother Tyler Lindsey – born October 24, 2004, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, 20.5 inches
long – and all are doing well. Nathanial mentioned he was sorry that he could
not make our New Members class on Sunday – he was busy! Becky has been a
member now for a couple of years. Her parents, Dave and Charlotte Keeling, are
among our frequent visitors (and maybe they will officially join us too? We will
have, I hope, at least 8 in our next new member class, joining on Nov 14.)
On
Sunday I am preaching on a text I have never preached on before – Habakkuk
1:1-4; 2:1-4. It could have been written yesterday – check it out. Hope to
see you – as many of you as possible – in worship. If you are unable
to come, then God’s blessing to you and yours, for you are still part of
our community of faith.
I remain,
Yours in Christ,
Ken H.
