Well, it was sort of a quiet week, especially when you compared it to last week. Two weeks ago was a little crazy, so it was nice to take a little breather this past week. I hope it was not just for me, but for Eloide and Donna and Jan. I will let them speak for themselves. Ask them.
We did have a funeral service for Gordon Armstrong. He was committed to the Peru Cemetery. Still think it would be nice to write a letter of sympathy to his wife Rita. Maybe not now. It usually is about a month later when everyone goes home when things hit home. Keep her in mind.
Have you written a letter yet? Why don’t you get in the habit of writing one every week? Think about how you would like to receive a letter. Do unto others as you would like others do to you?
Sunday was recognition day at the Pistol Shrimp game. I would like to tell you what was said the other day by our player who is staying with us. After a very long road trip, our player came home. I asked him how it was and he said it is good to be home. I’m not sure if he realized what he said. It made us feel very good. He considers this home for now. Pretty cool.
Speaking of the Pistol Shrimp, I had my first pork tenderloin sandwich. I have been told that the Illinois Valley is known for this sandwich. I had one and now I can check it off my “bucket list.” I know it might make some angry but it was okay. I think I would rather have a good old-fashioned cheeseburger.
I know some people don’t like the outdoor service. Not sure why but I will let that go. Here is what happened yesterday. We had three new faces attending. One actually walked up and joined us midway through service. I really do think our outdoor service is one of our best evangelical tools. I’m not sure if you know how hard it is to walk into a building. It is much easier seeing a group of people outside and seeing what is happening. Plus, we wake up the neighborhood, for sure.
We are going to host another outdoor service on August 10th. CSLE is putting it on. We will be kicking off the start of the school year. It would be great to see as many children as possible at this service. We will bless their backpacks during this service. A cookout will follow. I hope you will plan on attending.
We have a number of people who completed the 4-week discipleship course on prayer. We will work on another 4-week session on Scripture. This will come sometime in September. I hope more people will plan on attending. Take a risk. I think you would find it worthwhile.
We need to pay attention to our children. No wonder Jesus welcomed them. Here is what happened at my grandchildren’s home. The 4-year-old was “cleaning” his room and he found a little Jesus under his bed. His older brother who is 8 said, “Wow, Jesus really is everywhere.” I hope we believe the same.
Crossed marked and spirit sealed,
Pastor Tom
815-223-1144
Readings for the Eighth Weekend after Pentecost– August 2 & 3
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23 Psalm 49:1-12 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
Reading the Bible in a Year- Monday, July 28 to Sunday August 3
Day Ezekiel Psalms Proverbs 1 Peter
Monday Ch 47 & 48 133 Ch 4
Daniel
Tuesday Ch 1-Ch 2:23 134 Ch 5
2 Peter
Wednesday Ch 2:24-Ch 3:12 135:1-12 Ch 1
Thursday Ch 3:13-Ch 4:18 29:1-9 Ch 2
Friday Ch 4:19-Ch 5:16 135:13-21 Ch 3
1 John
Saturday Ch 5:17-Ch 6:28 136:1-12 Ch 1-Ch 2:11
Sunday Ch 7-Ch 8:14 136:13-26 Ch 2:12-27