Pastor’s Message for July and August 2009
As I write this letter it is the middle of June. It is the middle of the day and I am at my desk in the office. I am preparing an agenda for an elders meeting that will be held for a few hours this Saturday. We will come together, pray, and talk about plans for the fall. I am personally enjoying being done school and am beginning to catch up on personal, family, and church things.
This morning I just met with some Henrietta pastors and we prayed for our area. What a great time of encouragement for all of us. God is moving in Henrietta.
I have in front of me the pledges for the building program. We have not totaled them yet but I am glad to see that many of you are participating. Ben Clark just texted me asking me if the project will be underway in August, and I said, “Probably.” Henk de Smidt and I are making plans for early next week to go down and look at a renovation project another church did on their building to get ideas about our own renovation project.
The Trezise family returns today from Brazil and may be with us even this Sunday. I just asked the church secretary to call the [ed. removed for web] who are home on furlough to tell them their children need to attend the water baptism class before the actual baptism service on Sunday August 9th. I just sent out an email to Jacek Megiel as we plan the new missions committee and make plans for the mission weekend on August 9th. How exciting to have all our missionaries here that weekend in August.
Last Sunday about 11 people were in the New Members Class. The Sunday School appreciation picnic was well done by Steve and Sue Hunter and what a great time we had. James Blake has emailed me about good things happening on the road with his ministry team out among the churches. I am making plans to attend Alex Seidlers’ wedding next month in Pennsylvania. Bob Hunt was meeting with ADT to get some work done around the building and I just emailed Gary Ahlquist concerning some electrical problems with the AC. Eric Peoples just called me and thanked me for having him here at the church a week ago and I expressed to him that he had been a blessing to us and our youth. Harry Vellekoop shared last Sunday on Connie and his trip to Paraguay and the ministry that took place. In front of me is a booklet Harry has written called “No More Free Samples-Please.” Personally, this booklet shows hunger for God’s ways and His presence which I believe is a principle our church desires.
All of this has happened just in a couple of hours on a Wednesday morning and I am looking forward to the service tonight. I believe that Michael Miller will be sharing the Word and I am looking forward to the worship by our youth and Pastor Ben Clark leading the service. I will be glad to just sit and enjoy the service and the presence of God.
As I write this I am grateful for the blessing of the Lord on our congregation. I am grateful for all that we are involved in and the fruit of the ministry here. However, I am also grateful for all of you. Take time to enjoy the Lord and enjoy the summer.
Pastor Phil
