It was really good to have Ginger and Angie participate in our worship services this weekend. It is obvious God is putting together a great team here at PWUMC. I am excited about what God is doing among us.
Today when I was preaching about "Staying in Love with God" I mentioned prayer as one of the disciplines that we use to stay close to God. I had to share about my meeting with a 10-year-old. He and his dad came by. The young man wanted to talk about feeling connected with God when he prayed! It was the highlight of the week. Listening to a young Christian and being able to talk with him about prayer and how it can help us experience the Lord. It is always great to be able to share with young people who are so far ahead of where I was at that age. Does this give you hope like it does me?
It was a good day.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Confession
I have a confession to make. I am very remedial when it comes to vacations. I am simply not capable of taking extended time off and enjoying it!
We have taken time off. When Cindy and I got married we went to St. Louis for a few days before heading back to college. (I had to get back for football practice.) We did start a custom of going to a conference most summers. When we go to "Aldersgate" we see old friends and have a good time. I have tried for several years to call this "vacation" but I think I have been found out!
We have taken time off. When Cindy and I got married we went to St. Louis for a few days before heading back to college. (I had to get back for football practice.) We did start a custom of going to a conference most summers. When we go to "Aldersgate" we see old friends and have a good time. I have tried for several years to call this "vacation" but I think I have been found out!
One year we took the kids to St. Louis and went to the Zoo and Science City and all those neat things. It was a fun few days.
A few years ago Cindy and I were thinking about what to do for our 30th anniversary. I even priced airfare and hotels for San Francisco. When it came down to it I just couldn't spend the money, so we went to St. Louis! (I tried to pass that one off as "going back to the place we went when we got married.) I confess. I'm found out. I am a terrible "vacationer."
A couple of years ago we met two other couples and spent two days in Branson and enjoyed that. One year we met another couple and just hung out for a couple of days. Last year, Cindy and I went to Memphis. We drove one day and went to Beale Street that night. The next day we went to Graceland! We went to a unique Elvis concert that night. Then we drove home the next day. Just writing these things out is very therapeutic! I am a failure at vacations.
Which brings me to this summer. I am basically taking off the month of July. We are even going to get out of town for a few days. (Cindy and I are going to Jurisdictional Conference in Dallas.) I am a delegate. I will be in meetings. Does this count as vacation?
I just HAVE to come to some staff meetings in July. We do have new people coming, you know. But I will not be preaching in July. Curtis has it all under control.
I got this great idea the other day. I could write sermons in July. That way I could be ahead when I get back to preaching in August. Somehow Cindy did not think that was a good use of time. O.K., I confess. I am terrible when it comes to vacation.
So there you have my confession. Maybe this summer will be different. Maybe I will actually get away and allow the Spirit to renew and refresh me. Maybe I can get re-energized. Maybe I can rest up. Read a book that doesn't matter. Go to a ballgame. Sleep late. Stay up late. Don't work. Don't worry. Maybe this year ... but I doubt it. Vacation. Somehow I just don't get it. But they do say admitting your problem is the first step toward solving it! Hmmm.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Reflections from Sunday Evening
Today has been a blessing. Megan preached a really fine sermon this weekend. It was a great culmination of her ministry time with us at PWUMC. But that only got the day started.
Jeff Denton did a tremendous job with our volunteer (it's really "servants") dinner. Jeff's remarks were right on target as he expressed his heart and love for all those who serve so graciously and faithfully in our church. Besides that the food was really good.
The afternoon concluded with the celebration of Megan's ministry with us. We really tried to keep it light and joyful but a couple of emotional things got slipped in. But what a joy. Thanks to all those on the Staff Parish Relations Committee (Mike Cole and others) for making sure the reception went great. And thanks to Megan for sharing her life with us.
So it has been three years since Megan (and I) came to PWUMC. Where does the time go? But here is another perspective on time. I'm shifting gears here. It was 50 years ago that the Dodgers left Brooklyn and moved to Los Angeles and the Giants left the Polo Grounds in New York for San Francisco. At the time St. Louis was the furthest point west in major league baseball. I'd say it was a pretty good idea to check out the west coast.
50 years. It seems like such a long time. My has the world changed in the last 50 years. It makes me wonder what the future holds. What will be taking place in the world of our kindergarten kids in 50 years? I wonder what the future of the church holds for the next 50 years? I have a very hopeful idea that 50 years from now people will be living with a clearer vision of God's perfect will and rule.
50 years ago Walter O'Malley put the finishes touches on moving his baseball team to Los Angeles. Today plans are being made and visions being shared that will take us to new places in life, ministry and service. So whether a three-year ministry like Megan's as she moves into a new chapter in her life, a celebration of 50 years for major league baseball on the west coast, or a group of people offering themselves in service through a church, seeds are being sown that will make a great impact on the world. See you in church.
Jeff Denton did a tremendous job with our volunteer (it's really "servants") dinner. Jeff's remarks were right on target as he expressed his heart and love for all those who serve so graciously and faithfully in our church. Besides that the food was really good.
The afternoon concluded with the celebration of Megan's ministry with us. We really tried to keep it light and joyful but a couple of emotional things got slipped in. But what a joy. Thanks to all those on the Staff Parish Relations Committee (Mike Cole and others) for making sure the reception went great. And thanks to Megan for sharing her life with us.
So it has been three years since Megan (and I) came to PWUMC. Where does the time go? But here is another perspective on time. I'm shifting gears here. It was 50 years ago that the Dodgers left Brooklyn and moved to Los Angeles and the Giants left the Polo Grounds in New York for San Francisco. At the time St. Louis was the furthest point west in major league baseball. I'd say it was a pretty good idea to check out the west coast.
50 years. It seems like such a long time. My has the world changed in the last 50 years. It makes me wonder what the future holds. What will be taking place in the world of our kindergarten kids in 50 years? I wonder what the future of the church holds for the next 50 years? I have a very hopeful idea that 50 years from now people will be living with a clearer vision of God's perfect will and rule.
50 years ago Walter O'Malley put the finishes touches on moving his baseball team to Los Angeles. Today plans are being made and visions being shared that will take us to new places in life, ministry and service. So whether a three-year ministry like Megan's as she moves into a new chapter in her life, a celebration of 50 years for major league baseball on the west coast, or a group of people offering themselves in service through a church, seeds are being sown that will make a great impact on the world. See you in church.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Good Day
Charles Gibson signs off the ABC Evening News by saying "And I hope you had a good day." Yesterday was one of those good days. I hope you had a good day.
We had good staff meetings yesterday morning. We generally do. There is a good spirit among us. There is enough business to keep us honest but more joy to keep us encouraged.
I met with my accountability group yesterday. Each month I meet for lunch with three men. They are my accountability partners. They ask me questions about three areas of my life. They ask about my spiritual life. Am I praying? What is God saying through the scriptures? How am I doing spiritually?
They ask about my health and exercise program. Am I consistent in working out? Did I go to the "Y" today? Am I taking care of myself?
They also ask about my family. How is Cindy? What is going on with our kids? They keep me in the right perspective. I find it is essential for me to have people to depend upon who will ask me honest questions and hold me accountable for my Christian life. I had a good day.
In the evening I was able to sit in with Curtis and Megan for our latest new member class. Ten people were there who are expressing interest in becoming regular participants in our church. It was great. This keeps us going. It was a good day.
To top things off the Royals beat the Cardinals! As a bonus the Celtics won the NBA Championship by beating the Lakers. It was a good day.
I hope you had a good day.
We had good staff meetings yesterday morning. We generally do. There is a good spirit among us. There is enough business to keep us honest but more joy to keep us encouraged.
I met with my accountability group yesterday. Each month I meet for lunch with three men. They are my accountability partners. They ask me questions about three areas of my life. They ask about my spiritual life. Am I praying? What is God saying through the scriptures? How am I doing spiritually?
They ask about my health and exercise program. Am I consistent in working out? Did I go to the "Y" today? Am I taking care of myself?
They also ask about my family. How is Cindy? What is going on with our kids? They keep me in the right perspective. I find it is essential for me to have people to depend upon who will ask me honest questions and hold me accountable for my Christian life. I had a good day.
In the evening I was able to sit in with Curtis and Megan for our latest new member class. Ten people were there who are expressing interest in becoming regular participants in our church. It was great. This keeps us going. It was a good day.
To top things off the Royals beat the Cardinals! As a bonus the Celtics won the NBA Championship by beating the Lakers. It was a good day.
I hope you had a good day.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Reflections from Sunday evening
Father's Day. When we got home from church today our son Bobby arrived. He cooked the burgers and brats! My family knows what I like to eat. Cindy even brought blackberry pie. I can go back to salads tomorrow.
Today I appreciated the fathers I saw in church. You are setting a very important example for children who are forming important memories now. Family is a really neat gift from God.
I called Mom and Dad this afternoon. It is always good to be able to tell your dad happy Father's Day.
Next Sunday our daughter Andrea will be showing up in K.C. with a U-Haul filled with her stuff. After a year in California and three years in Texas she is coming back to Missouri! Cindy and I are looking forward to having our whole family close. I count it as another gracious blessing of God for this time in life.
So as Father's Day winds down I appreciate my dad. I appreciate the blessing of being a dad. I appreciate those dads I see in church each week.
Today I appreciated the fathers I saw in church. You are setting a very important example for children who are forming important memories now. Family is a really neat gift from God.
I called Mom and Dad this afternoon. It is always good to be able to tell your dad happy Father's Day.
Next Sunday our daughter Andrea will be showing up in K.C. with a U-Haul filled with her stuff. After a year in California and three years in Texas she is coming back to Missouri! Cindy and I are looking forward to having our whole family close. I count it as another gracious blessing of God for this time in life.
So as Father's Day winds down I appreciate my dad. I appreciate the blessing of being a dad. I appreciate those dads I see in church each week.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Upcoming Worship
I hope everyone will be in church this weekend. Part II of the "Three Simple Rules" series deals with the rule to "Do Good." We are talking about The Wesleyan Way of Living the Christian life.
There are obstacles to doing good. There are challenges to doing good. There are ways to apply the rule to our lives. It is also Father's Day. I hope to see you this weekend.
Next week Pastor Megan will preach. That will be her "culmination" weekend. She prepares to serve as lead pastor of her own congregation. Nothing would be better than an overflow crowd to celebrate Pastor's Megan's ministry among us.
The sermon series will conclude on June 29 when we talk about "Stay Close to God." I'll see you this weekend.
There are obstacles to doing good. There are challenges to doing good. There are ways to apply the rule to our lives. It is also Father's Day. I hope to see you this weekend.
Next week Pastor Megan will preach. That will be her "culmination" weekend. She prepares to serve as lead pastor of her own congregation. Nothing would be better than an overflow crowd to celebrate Pastor's Megan's ministry among us.
The sermon series will conclude on June 29 when we talk about "Stay Close to God." I'll see you this weekend.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Annual Conference
The Missouri Conference met in Springfield June 6-9. Let me hit on some highlights (in my opinion) from this year's conference. The first day of conference began with a great worship service led by people from Morning Star UMC in the St. Louis area. Mike Schreiner has led this new church to about 1600 in worship over the past few years. We were able to experience the flavor of this church's worship.
In the afternoon the clergy met in our "executive session" where we do "preacher stuff." The laity met together during the same time frame.
We also spent time with ordained ministry matters and heard from Bishop Schnase and our leaders in congregational and pastoral excellence.
The banquet on Friday night featured some of our congregational development leaders and was a time to receive our church's commitments to PETS (personal energy transportation). We eventually raised over $126,000, enough to buy and distribute 509 PETS. You can learn more about these vehicles on the conference Web site.
Saturday was a day of learning as well as business. We had worship and a number of learning times. The main event for Saturday was Ordination. Our own Rev. Megan Sly was among the nine persons who were ordained elder at this year's conference. It was a very meaningful service. Congrats Megan!
Sunday was a day for more business but my high point came in the Study time at 8:00 a.m. (Yes, I get up and go to these things!) Dr. Doug Anderson shared with us some very practical ways to share the faith. You will be hearing about these in the future. (I'll wait a little while so I can try to pass the ideas off as my own!)
Sunday evening was great. We celebrated the PETS at the ballpark. It is a pretty cool thing when you are supposed to go to the ballgame!
Monday we concluded with business. We approved the conference budget of $13,341,092. This continues our trend of decreasing the conference budget and seeking to pass more money back to the local church. We elected conference leadership. (More about that in a moment.) We worked through a tough issue regarding retired ministers' health insurance. Hopefully we acted in a way that will be beneficial to all. The Bishop "fixed" the appointments for the coming year.
This is always a neat time. Pastor Megan was appointed to her new place, St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs. It is emotional to say "goodbye" but exciting to embrace new challenges. Dr. Reuben Wilbur came to our district and stood by me during this time. He has invested over 19 years of service to the Missouri conferences and now comes to a new and exciting chapter in his life. Angie Olsen and Ginger Pudenz were appointed to Platte Woods UMC. It was an exciting time.
Our church is well represented in conference leadership. Curtis Olsen was elected to chair the conference communications team. Rex Archer was elected to the social justice team. Alan Herndon was elected to the conference board of ordained ministry. I was also elected to the board of ordained ministry and then the board elected me the chairperson of the board for the coming quadrennium. Keep us all in your prayers!
That is a little snapshot of this year's annual conference. You were well represented by Alan Herndon and Brian and Evelyn Evans.
You can always find pictures and more information by going to the conference Web site.
In the afternoon the clergy met in our "executive session" where we do "preacher stuff." The laity met together during the same time frame.
We also spent time with ordained ministry matters and heard from Bishop Schnase and our leaders in congregational and pastoral excellence.
The banquet on Friday night featured some of our congregational development leaders and was a time to receive our church's commitments to PETS (personal energy transportation). We eventually raised over $126,000, enough to buy and distribute 509 PETS. You can learn more about these vehicles on the conference Web site.
Saturday was a day of learning as well as business. We had worship and a number of learning times. The main event for Saturday was Ordination. Our own Rev. Megan Sly was among the nine persons who were ordained elder at this year's conference. It was a very meaningful service. Congrats Megan!
Sunday was a day for more business but my high point came in the Study time at 8:00 a.m. (Yes, I get up and go to these things!) Dr. Doug Anderson shared with us some very practical ways to share the faith. You will be hearing about these in the future. (I'll wait a little while so I can try to pass the ideas off as my own!)
Sunday evening was great. We celebrated the PETS at the ballpark. It is a pretty cool thing when you are supposed to go to the ballgame!
Monday we concluded with business. We approved the conference budget of $13,341,092. This continues our trend of decreasing the conference budget and seeking to pass more money back to the local church. We elected conference leadership. (More about that in a moment.) We worked through a tough issue regarding retired ministers' health insurance. Hopefully we acted in a way that will be beneficial to all. The Bishop "fixed" the appointments for the coming year.
This is always a neat time. Pastor Megan was appointed to her new place, St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs. It is emotional to say "goodbye" but exciting to embrace new challenges. Dr. Reuben Wilbur came to our district and stood by me during this time. He has invested over 19 years of service to the Missouri conferences and now comes to a new and exciting chapter in his life. Angie Olsen and Ginger Pudenz were appointed to Platte Woods UMC. It was an exciting time.
Our church is well represented in conference leadership. Curtis Olsen was elected to chair the conference communications team. Rex Archer was elected to the social justice team. Alan Herndon was elected to the conference board of ordained ministry. I was also elected to the board of ordained ministry and then the board elected me the chairperson of the board for the coming quadrennium. Keep us all in your prayers!
That is a little snapshot of this year's annual conference. You were well represented by Alan Herndon and Brian and Evelyn Evans.
You can always find pictures and more information by going to the conference Web site.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
new staff
We are preparing for annual conference. We anticipate some changes in our pastoral staff at this conference. First we anticipate Pastor Megan to be appointed the lead pastor of St. Peter UMC in Blue Springs. These transitions are always difficult but Megan is being given a tremendous opportunity and I pray God's richest blessings on her and her new congregation.
We will be receiving some new people to serve Platte Woods UMC. We anticipate Ginger Pudenz being appointed here as a "Part Time Local Pastor." This means Ginger will be assigned here with the expectation that she not spend all her time with the church. If we were looking to figure things on an hourly basis and full time equaled 40 hours we would anticipate Ginger working 20 hours. In addition to her work with us Ginger will be taking required classes for a person who is classified as a "local pastor." This Course of Study will lead to her credentials in the church.
Ginger will be appointed as our pastor of Prayer and Congregational Care. This means she will be leading our prayer ministry. Many of you realize this is what Ginger did for us before she took her own church three years ago. I am excited about seeing our prayer ministry develop and produce great blessings among us.
Ginger will also have the responsibility for Congregational Care. This means she will be doing the majority of our pastoral visitation. She will visit our shut-ins and those in nursing homes, and be the primary person for hospital visits. (The rest of us will certainly be taking a turn but Ginger gets to be in charge of this essential area of ministry).
A second part-time person we anticipate being appointed here is Angela (Angie) Olsen. She is married to Curtis. We will be blessed with a clergy couple. Angie is taking the appointment as part time for family reasons. Drew will soon be joined in their home by a new baby!
Angie will be assigned the responsibilities for "community outreach." She will be continuing to organize and give pastoral leadership to our mission outreaches (Saturdays 2 Serve, 1 Working Wednesday, etc.). She will also be bringing some special expertise to community building and helping move our church more into our community.
Angie is a "Probationary Elder" in the United Methodist Church. She will continue in the process toward full ordination.
Another person who will be coming to our staff is Dr. Reuben Wilbur. Reuben has been the treasurer (and charged with office administration) of our annual conference for the past 19 years. Reuben is choosing to take the retired relationship this year so he may come to work with us. We will call Reuben the "executive pastor." His responsibilities will include supervising the staff, working with SPRC on all our staff issues and giving hands-on attention to day-to-day operations. He will also relate to the trustees regarding all those many issues that deal with facilities and other trustee issues.
It looks to me like we are continuing to see a great staff become even greater. I encourage everyone to get well acquainted with our newest members of the staff. They will all be on board in July.
We will be receiving some new people to serve Platte Woods UMC. We anticipate Ginger Pudenz being appointed here as a "Part Time Local Pastor." This means Ginger will be assigned here with the expectation that she not spend all her time with the church. If we were looking to figure things on an hourly basis and full time equaled 40 hours we would anticipate Ginger working 20 hours. In addition to her work with us Ginger will be taking required classes for a person who is classified as a "local pastor." This Course of Study will lead to her credentials in the church.
Ginger will be appointed as our pastor of Prayer and Congregational Care. This means she will be leading our prayer ministry. Many of you realize this is what Ginger did for us before she took her own church three years ago. I am excited about seeing our prayer ministry develop and produce great blessings among us.
Ginger will also have the responsibility for Congregational Care. This means she will be doing the majority of our pastoral visitation. She will visit our shut-ins and those in nursing homes, and be the primary person for hospital visits. (The rest of us will certainly be taking a turn but Ginger gets to be in charge of this essential area of ministry).
A second part-time person we anticipate being appointed here is Angela (Angie) Olsen. She is married to Curtis. We will be blessed with a clergy couple. Angie is taking the appointment as part time for family reasons. Drew will soon be joined in their home by a new baby!
Angie will be assigned the responsibilities for "community outreach." She will be continuing to organize and give pastoral leadership to our mission outreaches (Saturdays 2 Serve, 1 Working Wednesday, etc.). She will also be bringing some special expertise to community building and helping move our church more into our community.
Angie is a "Probationary Elder" in the United Methodist Church. She will continue in the process toward full ordination.
Another person who will be coming to our staff is Dr. Reuben Wilbur. Reuben has been the treasurer (and charged with office administration) of our annual conference for the past 19 years. Reuben is choosing to take the retired relationship this year so he may come to work with us. We will call Reuben the "executive pastor." His responsibilities will include supervising the staff, working with SPRC on all our staff issues and giving hands-on attention to day-to-day operations. He will also relate to the trustees regarding all those many issues that deal with facilities and other trustee issues.
It looks to me like we are continuing to see a great staff become even greater. I encourage everyone to get well acquainted with our newest members of the staff. They will all be on board in July.
Stimulus Checks
I got a letter telling me a "stimulus check" would be coming soon. Has anyone already received theirs'? So many of us have money coming. Have you thought about what to do with it?
Since you asked let me offer a thought. You are receiving "unexpected" money. You had not planned on it. It will merely show up. So you have some freedom in how to use it. Here is my thought. Why not tithe on your stimulus check? Some people have been thinking about beginning to tithe but just cannot see how to do it. Well here is your chance. This is money you had not counted on so feel free to experiment with tithing!
While you keep asking here is another thought. Why not tithe to the church and mark it for our "Rain Garden" project? The west parsonage has some water issues and the trustees are in the process of working on them. One project includes a rain garden on the south side of the parsonage. If you will tithe (10% of the total -- I guess I forgot to say that) on your stimulus check and designate the amount to the rain garden project we will pay for it without using funds from the trustees' budget. That would be a great thing.
So here is your chance. Take the first step in tithing. Do something for the church and the environment.
Maybe tithing is not on your radar screen right now. Giving is always on a Christians mind. So I invite you to make a donation to the rain garden project whether it represents a tithe or not.
Thanks.
Since you asked let me offer a thought. You are receiving "unexpected" money. You had not planned on it. It will merely show up. So you have some freedom in how to use it. Here is my thought. Why not tithe on your stimulus check? Some people have been thinking about beginning to tithe but just cannot see how to do it. Well here is your chance. This is money you had not counted on so feel free to experiment with tithing!
While you keep asking here is another thought. Why not tithe to the church and mark it for our "Rain Garden" project? The west parsonage has some water issues and the trustees are in the process of working on them. One project includes a rain garden on the south side of the parsonage. If you will tithe (10% of the total -- I guess I forgot to say that) on your stimulus check and designate the amount to the rain garden project we will pay for it without using funds from the trustees' budget. That would be a great thing.
So here is your chance. Take the first step in tithing. Do something for the church and the environment.
Maybe tithing is not on your radar screen right now. Giving is always on a Christians mind. So I invite you to make a donation to the rain garden project whether it represents a tithe or not.
Thanks.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Reflections from Sunday evening
Following our church services and a brief administration meeting Cindy and I had lunch with Stan and Linda Shipman. Nothing quite like a peanut butter, bacon burger for lunch! Then I came home and watched the Royals win their second straight game (following 12 straight losses). It's a great day.
It's been tough following my favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals, for the past couple of weeks. 12-game losing streaks are not fun. But they are better than 13 losses in a row or 19 like they did three years ago. In truth the Royals have been a bit disappointing since 1985 but who keeps count.
I guess I'm still thinking about these streaks. As with so many other things in life baseball has lessons to teach. We often feel like life is a bit "streaky." We have all had those periods of time when it seems things are always going wrong. I remember the day several years ago when I was borrowing our neighbor's lawnmower to cut the grass. I borrowed her mower and in return always mowed her grass. Well the thing quit. So not wanting to leave the yard unfinished I asked the neighboring Baptist preacher if I could borrow his mower to finish the yard. Before I got done his mower broke down! Being two for two I decided to take matters in hand and go buy a new mower. I had to drive to the next town to get one. My Baptist preacher friend came through again (even though I just broke his mower). I took his pickup to go buy a mower. With the purchase made I came out of the store to find something leaking from the truck. His water pump had gone out. All this in just a couple of hours! You could say I was on a losing streak.
On the other hand we have all had those periods of life when things just seemed to click. It is a bit like worship services and our life together at PWUMC. Week after week we gather and find ourselves surrounded by people who care. We worship and experience the presence of the Lord. We pray and hear the Word read and proclaimed. We sing and feel our hearts lifted. We are not some show business extravaganza. We are the people of God at worship finding His love growing and love deepening.
I see us on a good winning streak at church. God's faithfulness continues.
It's been tough following my favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals, for the past couple of weeks. 12-game losing streaks are not fun. But they are better than 13 losses in a row or 19 like they did three years ago. In truth the Royals have been a bit disappointing since 1985 but who keeps count.
I guess I'm still thinking about these streaks. As with so many other things in life baseball has lessons to teach. We often feel like life is a bit "streaky." We have all had those periods of time when it seems things are always going wrong. I remember the day several years ago when I was borrowing our neighbor's lawnmower to cut the grass. I borrowed her mower and in return always mowed her grass. Well the thing quit. So not wanting to leave the yard unfinished I asked the neighboring Baptist preacher if I could borrow his mower to finish the yard. Before I got done his mower broke down! Being two for two I decided to take matters in hand and go buy a new mower. I had to drive to the next town to get one. My Baptist preacher friend came through again (even though I just broke his mower). I took his pickup to go buy a mower. With the purchase made I came out of the store to find something leaking from the truck. His water pump had gone out. All this in just a couple of hours! You could say I was on a losing streak.
On the other hand we have all had those periods of life when things just seemed to click. It is a bit like worship services and our life together at PWUMC. Week after week we gather and find ourselves surrounded by people who care. We worship and experience the presence of the Lord. We pray and hear the Word read and proclaimed. We sing and feel our hearts lifted. We are not some show business extravaganza. We are the people of God at worship finding His love growing and love deepening.
I see us on a good winning streak at church. God's faithfulness continues.
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