WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (9 AM) and Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching his farewell message entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus."
ELDER'S MEETING TONIGHT--PRAYER MEETING CANCELLED
Due to the fact that our elders have very busy and disparate schedules, and Pastor Campbell would like to meet with them one more time before he leaves, we are going to cancel prayer meeting for this evening (Wednesday, Oct. 27).
ADVENTURERS AND PATHFINDERS
Adventurers and Pathfinders will continue with their regularly scheduled meetings. Adventurers will be meeting at the church; Pathfinders are meeting at the school.
PASTORAL SEARCH PROCESS
There is going to be a district wide meeting for all churches in the Montrose district with Elder Eric Nelson at 2 pm on Sabbath afternoon, Nov. 6, at the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church. All members are strongly encouraged to be there to give input and feedback to Elder Nelson about qualities that you would like to see in a new pastor for this pastoral district.
LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 8, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.
PATHFINDERS NEED YOUR HELP!
The Montrose Mountain Lions are building a shed and getting their carpentry honor, all at the same time. The club plans to use this shed for a place to keep their camping gear among other things. But they need your help! In the bulletin this Sabbath there is a list of supplies that are needed. If you can help please contact Wayne Oldham (970) 249-3023 or Tavia Wilson (970) 417-4886.
ABC BOOKMOBILE COMES OUR WAY ON OCT. 31
The next time our ABC Bookmobile is coming our way is on Sunday, October 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. The last day to order books will be Wednesday, October 13. To order something call (800) 765-6955.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
"What's past is prologue," is a famous quote by Shakespeare about how history repeats itself. I had the privilege over the weekend of taking 51 students and staff from Southern Adventist University on a New England Adventist Heritage Tour. We spent time reflecting on our Adventist past--how God has led. It reminds me of Ellen White's famous quote: "we have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his past teaching, in our past" (LS 196). The reason I love out Adventist past is because I am constantly reminded about how they passionately loved Jesus Christ and were so excited to want to see Him again. That same spirit of passion as well as their sacrifice and commitment challenge me to want to be ready to see Jesus when He comes again. And I could tell that this impacted the hearts of students as they shared on Friday evening when we had a "testimony meeting" and then later at the William Miller Farm when we had communion and recommitted our lives to finishing the work the pioneers began. Now that we are back I've had several students e-mail me to tell me that this tour was the highlight of their year and that they were led closer to Jesus. So although I'm in the midst of a transition I want to thank my church family for being so gracious about sharing me with these students for several days.
Our hearts are heavy as we pack boxes. Our home is now listed for sale (please pray that the Lord will help us to sell our house). Someone this morning sent me a nice note for pastoral appreciation month--something that means more than any gifts, just to know that as a church family that there are at least some of you who pray for me and it means so much when someone just takes the time to say "thank you." I'm going around this week to try to make final pastoral visits to many of our shut-ins so we can say good bye and let them know that although we are leaving that our hearts are with you.
At the moment it looks like either on Monday, Nov. 8 or on Tuesday, Nov. 9 (or maybe both days!) the moving truck will be here in Montrose to pick up our stuff. If you have an opportunity, since so many of you have asked me if you could come and help us with moving boxes, I just wanted to let you know. We'll probably leave for Wichita on that Wednesday and then unload on Thursday or Friday. Our first Sabbath in Wichita will be on Nov. 13.
Although we are going to move to a new line of work please know that we have grown to love so many of you and that each of you will always have a special place in our hearts. If you ever find yourselves out in the Wichita area, please feel free to stop by the Wichita South SDA Church. And let us know in advance so we can have you over for Sabbath lunch!
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
- Montrose: Pastor Campbell is preaching on "Sacred Rhythms: Giving."
- Gunnison (11 AM): Freddy Patino is speaking.
DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
- For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study with Revelations chapter 4.
- For children in grades 5-8 there is Pathfinders.
- For children in grades 1-4 there is Adventurers.
LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 8, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.
PATHFINDERS NEED YOUR HELP!
The Montrose Mountain Lions are building a shed and getting their carpentry honor, all at the same time. The club plans to use this shed for a place to keep their camping gear among other things. But they need your help! In the bulletin this Sabbath there is a list of supplies that are needed. If you can help please contact Wayne Oldham (970) 249-3023 or Tavia Wilson (970) 417-4886.
ABC BOOKMOBILE COMES OUR WAY ON OCT. 31
The next time our ABC Bookmobile is coming our way is on Sunday, October 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. The last day to order books will be Wednesday, October 13. To order something call (800) 765-6955.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Our transition this month is moving forward as we are now having to make many critical decisions related to that of moving. It is hard to believe how much stuff you can accumulate in just three years--especially when it comes to more books! Wow. We spent Sunday through Wednesday this week in Wichita looking for a new home. It is hard work. It reminds me of the story in Matthew 7 about Jesus who talks about the person who built their house on a rock versus those who built their home on the sand. The interesting thing about Wichita is that everyone tries to build under a rock so that they can make sure they don't get blown away when there is a tornado!
We have lots of mixed emotions. Saying good bye is always hard. Last week I had chapel and told our young people that we are leaving. The same thing holds true for some of our young people and those of you who we are able to visit with personally. I wish we could have called each one of you individually, but within the short amount of time (and as news travels quickly) that just was not feasible. Please know that although we are looking forward to new opportunities that we are going to miss our church families here in Montrose and Gunnison so much. You have truly invested in us and thus made us better persons as well as deepened our walk with the Lord, and for that we are thankful.
We had a modest turnout for our Sabbath afternoon seminar with Gordon Reichard, but that isn't because of lack of interest. I've had many people express an interest in the small groups that the elders of the church are starting. If you aren't signed up already please do so right away. This Sabbath there is going to be a small group sheet passed out at church, and we would love to see as many people as possible involved in this important ministry.
At this point the plan is to have Elder Eric Nelson out here to preach and listen to all of you on the first Sabbath of November. I was going to do a pulpit exchange, and we have a special Heritage Sabbath (with a special emphasis on the Spirit of Prophecy) planned for his district on that same day so I will still be here through the first week of November even though I will not be preaching that Sabbath. Our plan is to move the next week if we can make the rest of the logistics involved with finding a new place to live all work out. So please keep us in your prayers during this time of transition.
I've begun to step down from a number of community activities: this is my last week, for example, volunteering as a hospital chaplain. Later today I will be attending our monthly Association of Montrose Clergy meeting, and they bumped up by a week next month's meeting when I will be hosting it here at the church so that I can have an opportunity to say good bye to many of my ministerial colleagues here. Next Monday evening I am also going to be meeting with the elders of the church to go over pastoral responsibilities, which the most important things (i.e. pastoral visitation, making sure the pulpit is filled, etc.) will be divided up between them to try to prepare for this transition.
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 AM): Michelle Crawford is preaching.
Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is leading the Communion Service with a message entitled "Sacred Rhythms: Communion."
AGAPE FEAST IN GUNNISON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT
All Gunnison members are invited for a special Agape Feast at the Gunnison Church with a Communion Service at 6 pm this Friday evening. This will be a special time so please plan to come!
YOUTH CAMPING TRIPS THIS WEEKEND
By now all of our parents who have children in either Adventurers or Pathfinders are aware that this weekend there are two camping trips going on for each of our respective clubs for our young people. If you have any questions please contact Staci Nelson or Tavia Wilson. I was really impressed to see both clubs organizing all of their gear last night at the church.
DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.
LIFE DISCOVERY GROUPS
Two weeks ago our elders discussed a new initiative for our congregation that a general expectation that everyone in our church should be involved in either some kind of ministry or small group for Bible study. On Sabbath, Oct. 9, our church service will be all about small groups for Bible Study--what is being dubbed "Discovery Groups" to examine current and relevant topic through the lens of focused Bible study. Immediately after church that day will be a forum led by Gordon Reichard about how this will work. Within two weeks of this launch our goal is to have at least three new Discovery groups. A sign-up sheet is available at church.
HELP KEEP SPRING CREEK ADVENTIST SCHOOL CLEAN!
This past Friday and Sunday Emma and I worked together to do our part in cleaning the school. If Emma can do it, so can you! We're looking for volunteers to help clean the school each week through the end of the school year. As you know our budget is tight so we're trying to do everything we can to cut back, which for this year the school board said we needed to ask for parents of our young people and church members to help out. It didn't take that long either. Our kids do a really great job at maintaining our school facility, too. Altogether we spent about two hours cleaning and we had fun doing it. Would you consider helping? Please contact Michelle Caviness for more information (michellecaviness@gmail.com).
LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.
ABC BOOKMOBILE COMES OUR WAY ON OCT. 31
The next time our ABC Bookmobile is coming our way is on Sunday, October 31st, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. The last day to order books will be Wednesday, October 13. To order something call (800) 765-6955.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Yesterday was an exciting day for me as I was able to spend the better part of the day on a spiritual retreat. Dr. John Bishop joined me and together we climbed Mt. Handies, one of Colorado's 14ers or mountains over 14,000 feet. We had a delightful time climbing. We discovered rather quickly that we had to pace ourselves, but we made it to the top! Along the way our ability to see farther and farther just continued to increase. It reminds me of how our spiritual sensibilities that when we recognize God's big plan or picture for our lives that He allows us to see farther and farther, and the view just keeps getting better. For me it was a special time because I was able to spend quite a bit of the time just meditating, reflecting on Scripture, and some times just talking to God. We all need times to recharge our spiritual batteries so to speak by just spending time alone with God in nature. For me this was one of those times.
This Sabbath was just an absolute delight as our Gunnison church family had a church retreat up in the Gunnison Mountain Park. We went for a nice nature hike and as always there was lots of food, and even better, warm fellowship. The fall colors were right at their peak so we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate the Sabbath as a church family!
On Sunday night we had a lot of fun with some of our Campion kids (at least for those who were around and able to join us). We ended up having Mari, Kiev, and Kaileybeth. We also discovered the horrible reality of bad traffic on I-70 on a Sunday afternoon so we ended up picking up some pizza and ice-cream and just had some fun with them for about 90 minutes before their study halls started. We game them the care packages from our collective church families, which I could tell they were so excited to get! What wonderful young people we have at Campion. I'm told the school is having a great year with some 170 students who are enrolled.
Monday was an interesting day as our family was able to do some fun things in the Denver area that amazingly enough are both free: first we took a tour courtesy of my good friend Dr. Jonathan Vigh who is a research scientist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), which is a leading place for understanding the weather basically. Dr. Vigh's specialty is the formation of the hurricane eye. Emma learned how to stop a real miniature tornado. At first, when we asked her what a tornado is, she though we were saying "tomato" so she said it was something that she ate. So now she knows. And at least for a miniature one you just put your hand through the middle and it is gone! On a more serious note we learned all of the thousands and even millions of variables that makes the prediction of weather so very difficult. I now have a much better appreciation for the hard work that atmospheric scientists have in trying to understand and predict the weather. In the afternoon we had a lovely time at the Denver Mint. Did you know it costs 1.5 cents to produce a penny? Amazingly enough on some of the larger coins the Mint makes a "mint" so they turn a profit overall on making money.
On Tuesday we had conference committee, and then got home very late Tuesday night. I was really proud that I finally actually made a resolution on conference committee for a youth director position and that such a position be given priority (and that it passed!). I just wanted to make sure that you knew that sharing your pastor by allowing him to travel out to Denver for this meeting every two months does make a difference! So I am hopeful that we will have a new youth leader some time next year. I think that we can't do enough to support our young people both here on the western slope and across our vast conference. To have such a person to coordinate such efforts is vital to the health of our overall conference. At the same time funds are tight so we can help to do our part by continuing to faithfully give our tithes and offerings to help support the work of not only our local church, but also our collective efforts across this conference in helping to share the Lord with others. I also really appreciated Elder Thurber's vision that he outlined for the future of our conference, which I am sure that you will be hearing more about in the near future.
Gunnison (All Day): Pastor Campbell will be leading out in an outdoor church service/retreat (see announcement below).
DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.
On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.
Over the next two weeks we've got two baptisms, this coming Sabbath by Ben Robuck. Ben is a young person who comes frequently with his grandmother, Sandy, and who is related to Pastor Don Anderson (Sandy's brother). So we're delighted and grateful that Pastor Don can join us for worship in Montrose this Sabbath. As I studied with Ben he was so excited about being baptized that he just said he couldn't wait (and he has waited over a year!), but I could tell he really loves his uncle so I'm so thankful that Pastor Don could travel down here for this special occasion and bless us with the breaking of the Word. Next Sabbath we also have another baptism. Roberta Blackburn is someone who started coming back to church over the past 3-4 months and who I've also been studying with. She was raised an Adventist but left the church for most of her life and through a series of providential experiences (I'll let her share them with you when she is baptized) made a decision to be re-baptized. So I praise the Lord for His working in our congregation. Over the next two Sabbaths you will see a special Bible promise book circulating around at church for you to sign with notes of encouragement, a favorite Bible promise, or just to sign it. Would you please sign it when it comes by your way and encourage others to do the same?
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (9 AM) & Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is continuing his series with "Sacred Rhythms: Service"
DISCIPLESHIP NIGHTS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Tonight we have three options of things that are going on at the church:
For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.
LIFE DISCOVERY GROUPS
Last night our elders discussed a new initiative for our congregation that a general expectation that everyone in our church should be involved in either some kind of ministry or small group for Bible study. On Sabbath, Oct. 9, our church service will be all about small groups for Bible Study--what is being dubbed "Discovery Groups" to examine current and relevant topic through the lens of focused Bible study. Immediately after church that day will be a forum led by Gordon Reichard about how this will work. Within two weeks of this launch our goal is to have at least three new Discovery groups. A sign-up sheet is available at church.
TOWN HALL THIS SATURDAY EVENING
Please come to the church this Saturday evening at 7 pm for a town hall meeting on the church mission statement and core values as we conclude the Sabbath with a vesper's service and discussion about the direction of our church.
GUNNISON OUTDOOR CHURCH ON SEPT. 25/AGAPE FEAST ON OCT. 1ST
On Sabbath, Sept. 25, the Gunnison Church is having an outdoor church service. Sean Sowers and the Bishops are planning the venue, but please plan to come for a fun day of worship in the out-of-doors. Then on Friday evening, 6 pm, Oct. 1st we are going to have an Agape Feast at the church, too. Please take note of both upcoming activities for Gunnison church members.
CARE PACKAGES FOR CAMPION STUDENTS
The week after next I will be going to Denver for Conference Committee, and as part of the trip (this is a surprise so please keep it a secret!) I plan to stop by Campion Academy and bring our four students from the western slope care packages. Please bring any goodies for our young people to church on Sabbath, Sept. 25, and I will make sure that they get some yummy treats from back home! Thank you for caring!
MEN'S RETREAT THIS WEEKEND
This weekend is the annual men's retreat. More information is available on the bulletin board, but if you would like to go and carpool please contact Lloyd Wenzel or Neal Kelley.
LA VIDA MISSION SUPPLIES
On Monday, Nov. 1st, at 8 AM we will have the community services coordinator for the conference, Cathy Kissner, coming by with a truck to collect supplies from across the conference for La Vida Mission. For a list of things that are needed please see the church bulletin board. For more information feel free to contact Neal Kelley.
MONTROSE FALL CLEANING BEE
On Sunday, Sept. 26, there will be a church work bee in the morning. One of the major projects is to paint the trim of the church. Contact Lance Daniel, W. D. Hess, or Alice Carpenter for more information. Please come and help beautify our church facility!
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
The other day I was driving through the mountains and noticed the Aspen have begun to turn their brilliant hues of yellow and gold. How beautiful! Even as the seasons begin to change, and we discover some frost outside our back door, we see the beautiful hand of the Creator all around us. I'm so thankful that as the seasons change that we know the Lord continues to be right there by our side.
Over the past day our family has been claiming the promise of Psalm 37:3-8, which reads according to the NASB: "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desire of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret; it leads only to evildoing."
I thought this passage of Scripture was especially signifcant because we live in an uncertain world: the economy is challenging all of us, but it doesn't do much good to always look at all of the challenges, but we are reminded to "trust in the Lord." How is your walk with the Lord today? If all we ever do is worry it gets us into trouble!
I'm so thankful for the steady confidence of someone like Georgia Freeman, our dear friend who we buried this past Monday, who even though she knew she was going to die that she trusted in the Lord. Her desire was that her service be a testimony of her walk with the Lord and an invitation for others to trust Him, too. The service was very well attended by people in our community whose life she impacted. We had people share stories from when she was a child in school--one person shared about how they learned to drive here at the Montrose High School in driver's ed. Another person shared stories about how life was hard during World War II. So we think we've got it tough now? He reminded me that there have been other tough times, too.
What I am most excited about is the new initiative to encourage small group Bible study, what one of our elders has suggested that we call "Discovery" groups. We will have a launch of this new program on the second Sabbath in October (Oct. 9) and we are going to begin passing around sign-up sheets. My vision for this church is to have every member involved in some ministry or small group. In order for each of us to grow spiritually we have to behold Him day by day--and there is no better way to do that than as a group to open the Word of God and study together. By beholding we become changed (2 Cor. 3:18). As we become more "loving and lovable" Christians we become contagious about our Christianity--other people want what we have!
I've been challenged to re-evaluate my own life this past week as I've read a new biography on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas (a really great book by the way if you would like something to read). Life is complex. Most of the Christian church in Germany caved in to Hitler's Nazi regime, but not everyone did. I'm thankful for people who authentically lived their lives and who made a difference. That is the kind of Christian I want to become like day by day, and I hope and pray as a church community we can authentically show our community that is what we are about, too.
Gunnison: Gordon Reichard is preaching.
Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking about "Sacred Rhythms: Family Worship."
- For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell. Tonight we are continuing our study beginning with Revelation 1:9.
- For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
- For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.
Our next church business meeting for Gunnison is scheduled for Sept. 12, 7 pm complete with pizza and afterward some games and other fun activities. Please plan to come!
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Gunnison: Pastor Ted Williams will be preaching about "Passoniate Patience."
Montrose: Pastor Campbell is speaking about "Sacred Rhythms: Prayer."
- For adults we have a prayer meeting series beginning on the book of Revelation with Pastor Campbell.
- For children in grades 5-8 a new year of Pathfinders is beginning.
- For children in grades 1-4 there will be Adventurers, and for younger children there will also be a "Busy Bees" program.
After a fun day of paintball this last Sunday we've pushed back our evening church business meeting on Sept. 12, 7 pm for pizza and afterward some games and other fun activities. Please plan to save the date!
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Thank you all for the time and effort that was put in by each of you to make this CROP Walk successful! I am currently working on thank you letters to each congregation that participated. I will send them to each of you and perhaps you could share them during announcement time.
Thank you all again so very much! As soon as we have some final numbers for money raised I will forward that information to you so that you can share with your congregations. I believe number wise – including all supporters and walkers we hit around 55 participants – GREAT for a first year.
Be Well! --Jennifer
I'm so grateful for some rest from last week with a few extra days off for family time. We all need some "down time" once in a while and this was a window of opportunity for our family to do just that.
This week's note will be short since I'm taking a few days of extra vacation time that I am going to lose if I don't use it! As the end of the summer draws to a close it is my prayer that the Lord will bless each of you. I know many of our students at school our quite eager to start the new school year.
- School this year will be a 4-day school week.
- Adventurers and Pathfinders are gearing up for the new year. Make sure you get your children signed up!
- Prayer meeting will start back up on Wednesday evening, 7 pm, Sept. 1
- Pathfinders will now be using the Sabbath School rooms in the hallway adjacent to Pastor Campbell's office.
WORSHIP THIS SABBATH
Gunnison (11 AM): Norman Graham is the featured speaker.
Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching on "Learning to Listen from Lamentations."
NEW SCHOOL WEB SITE
A special thank you to Staci Nelson who thanks to her hard work our church school is blessed with a new web site: www.springcreekadventist.org. The web site looks up to date and classy! For those of you online I would strongly encourage you to stop by for a virtual visit.
THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
Yesterday I sat in our local Rotary club meeting for a state-of-the-school report for the Montrose County School District. It was interesting to learn that public education is the number one expense for our local tax dollars, and that for every dollar we spend we get two dollars of federal funding. It also takes 750 contracted employees to educate the 6,311 students over the 1,121 square miles that make up our county. The total cost? A $63,000,000 school budget. Amazing. This year through attrition due to budget costs they are letting go of some 40 school employees which translates to more students per teacher in the classroom. I know that for our church family that times have been tight, and it is nice to know that we aren't the only ones who have had to cut back to make ends meet. It also tells me that our community cares for our kids. What is even more important is that I know because of the sacrifice of our church members that our church cares for our students at Spring Creek Adventist School! Although over the past couple of years we've had to do some cutting back I am encouraged that we have all the students and a waiting list for our church school, which starts here in just a few weeks. Plus with new leadership on our board and staff I believe our school is going to grow and blossom.
Speaking of which I was so encouraged to see the significant facelift that has occurred at our facility. The trim around the building looks neat and sharp. Yesterday I caught Dan Carpenter working with Mike to start the new staircase at the entrance. They are going to pour the cement on Friday. And, to top it all off, there is a new sign by the road that looks really sharp. Now I don't have to worry about driving past the school anymore! I know that it has been a lot of our church members who have worked together to make this all happen. Praise the Lord!
This week I've done a lot of reflection on the life and ministry of Elisha. God's call to him, which took him by surprise. Yet he chose to leave family behind and humbly served Elijah. In Patriarchs and Prophets one of my favorite authors comments on this experience: "success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not hte possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service, but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, and unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others." That is the kind of leader that I want to be more like, how about you? As a church we can strive to truly be servant leaders like Elisha by taking the time genuinely show that we care for other people. Perhaps this might be a phone call to a church member who hasn't come to church in a while, or it might be to someone who the Lord impresses you to stop by their home for a visit just to encourage them. I know the Lord will impress you with how you can serve Him.
