| Update
July 7th, 2006
Dear
Good Shepherd,
Good Afternoon.
This
is the first real Update I've written since General Convention
and boy is there alot happening. The flood has really hit
this region hard. It's hit many at Good Shepherd hard.
And yet God is good. He always provides. Many parishioners
have given time, money, and supplies to the recovery efforts.
Some have felt a deepened sense of faith, recognizing both
the power of God and his mercy in the rising waters, remembering
the promise he gave through Noah, "Never again will the
waters become a flood and destroy all life." (Genesis
9:15) Thanks be to God.
There
is alot left to do and even some parishioners who haven't
yet been helped yet. Earlier this week I sent a list of needed
supplies. I'm reprinting that list below. People need help
and they will need help for months, so please give your time,
talent, and treasure freely to those in need.
Apart
from the flood, you might notice that there is no weekly article
this week. Instead I have written a letter to the parish that
you should recieve Monday or Tuesday. The letter concerns
a very important vestry meeting that was held this Wednesday.
Some crucial issues were discussed regarding what took place
at General Convention and the vestry came to a common mind.
We will be sharing information about the intention of the
vestry and inviting your questions and comments at two informal
parish meetings coming up on the dates listed below.
It
promises to be a challenging summer. But there is no reason
to worry or be anxious. Trust God, follow his ways, and he
will provide for you and for Good Shepherd.
UPDATE
CONTENTS
FLOOD LIST
BIBLE
STUDIES
PARISH
MEETINGS
CAMPING
TRIP
SMALL
GROUP TRAINING
CHICKEN
BBQ FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
MUSIC
ADULT
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
PREGNANCY,
NEW BABY, and TIME OFF
HAVE
YOU…
NEWS:
FOOD
LIST FOR FLOOD RECOVERY:
SUPPLY
LIST FOR FLOOD RECOVERY: Please
bring the following items to church and leave them in the
parish hall
1.
Rubber Boots (all sizes)
2.
Bleach
3.
Chairs or other furniture (plastic is fine. Some people don't
have anywhere to sit)
4.
Clothes for men/women/children of all sizes.
There
is also the need for volunteer workers but I'll wait to pass
on information about that when I know more. Thank you for
any assistance you can provide.
BIBLE
STUDIES: All the bible studies are running this week.
There will likely be an operational pause in August, but more
about that below. I am quite pleased with the progress so
far this summer. There has been a bit of a downturn in attendance,
but not much of one compared to other summers and my own more
pessimistic expectations. WELL DONE. But keep it up. IF you
are a believer, God's Word is your fuel. The longer you stay
in it, the more mature and strong you get. The longer you
stay away the more malnourished you become.
PARISH
MEETINGS: As
I mentioned above, there will be two parish meetings to discuss
General Convention and the vestry's response. The first meeting
will be on Wednesday the 12th of July at
6:30pm in the parish hall. The second meeting will be held
between services on Sunday July 16th. All
members of Good Shepherd are invited and encouraged to attend
one or both gatherings.
CAMPING
TRIP: If
you have not heard, the camping trip has been cancelled due
to the flood and recovery efforts. The camp-site was kind
enough to offer us a full refund of the deposit. Fred asked
that it be transferred to next summer so that we will already
have a prime reserved area for Good Shepherd.
SMALL GROUP TRAINING: Now looks like the training
sessions will be postponed until August. I thought this summer
was going to be restful. Ha.
CHICKEN
BBQ FOR FLOOD RELIEF: On Saturday the 15th of July,
Good Shepherd will hold a Chicken BBQ and donate all proceeds
to flood relief. If you would like to help please contact
Lee Bronson. Otherwise, be sure to support this effort by
telling as many people as possible
MUSIC:
A great big thank you to Chris Vail, Justin Almeida,
Joyce Carlson and Micah Towery for stepping up and help and
providing wonderful music for us this summer. You've all done
a spectacular job.
NEW ADULT EDUCATION SERIES TO BE ANNOUNCED:
We have completed our series on "asking the hard questions."
This week will be a Rector's Forum and next week will be the
parish meeting, mentioned above, after that we will move on
to a new series that I will announce either Sunday or in next
week's update.
PREGNANCY,
NEW BABY, and TIME OFF: When our new baby comes,
I'll be taking the rest of my vacation time. We think this
should be around the end of July, but only God knows for sure.
When it happens, you guys will be the first to know. For at
least two weeks, maybe more, afterwards, there will be an
operational pause on almost all church activities accept for
Sunday morning and maybe one or two bible studies. I need
a vacation!
THERE
WILL BE A FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER: Start praying
about which non-believing family member or friend you will
invite.
HAVE
YOU…. shared your faith with a friend? The vestry
has challenged all of us to share our faith in Jesus Christ
with at least one non-believer each month. You are, judging
by our recent growth, obviously doing a great job and at that!
If we continue at the same rate God will have added 33 new
believers/members to our fellowship by the end of the year
. We're beginning a new month. Have you shared your faith?
Good News for the Week
And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed
to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called;
those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he
also glorified. (Romans
8:28-30)
Don't forget to....BRING A FRIEND TO
CHURCH!
Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday July 9th, 2006
Monday:
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
6:30 p.m. First Light Bible Study: Q and A
7:00
p.m. First Light Bible Study: Discussion (Matthew 14)
Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
6:30
p.m. PARISH MEETING
Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
5:30 p.m. Shepherd's Bowl
6:30 p.m. New Beginners Bible Study
Friday
6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. Women's Bible Study
CHICKEN
BBG FOR FLOOD RELIEF
SUNDAY
JULY 16th, 2006
8:00am Holy Communion II and Sermon
9:15-10:15 a.m. PARISH MEETING
10:30 am Holy Communion II, Music and Sermon
God bless you all
In
Christ,
Matt+
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