Church Requel Blog - Writings of Mark Pierce

Church Picnic This Sunday!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

This Sunday is our annual church picnic! Yay! Sunday morning we will gather at the church like we alway do - at 11am and enjoy our normal worship time together. Then we will all proceed down to North Lake Park to enjoy our annual picnic together.

This will also be the day we take our annual church group photo. They are always so delightful. Check out the top right hand corner of this newsletter for last year's picture. Don't you just love it! You won't want to miss being in this year's photo too!

So what's the plans for food this year? Same as last year! The church will provide the hamburgs and hotdogs and drinks. Everything else is potluck. Bring your side dishes, casseroles, salads and desserts. There's never a lack of food, right? The church will also provide all the paper plates, eating utensils and cups.

After the fantastic lunch and photo opportunity, we will also play games together. Everyone either plays or cheers the others on. The annual church picnic relays are always a blast for kiddos of all ages!

North Lake Park is located at 268 Rae Avenue, just 1.2 miles and a 4 minute drive from church.

Sunday morning Worship. Brian, Amy and Bessica will be joining Brandi to lead our worship experience this weekend. Here's what we'll be singing together: (1) "Build Your Kingdom Here"; (2) "What A Beautiful Name"; (3) "Cornerstone"; and (4) "King of Kings."

Our sermon Sunday morning is entitled, "Unreasonable Response To A Reasoned Faith." Do you know the reasons why your faith in Christ is real? Is your faith reasonable? Could you explain it to someone who didn't understand or believe as you do? Are you prepared for others to shun your faith in Christ? Are you prepared for others to shun you because of your faith in Christ? We discuss these questions as we study Acts 17:1-15. Want a head start? You can find the sermon notes in your Bible app or you can view them here. 

Singspiration on September 29th. While I've been sitting here typing away at this newsletter, Brandi has been busy behind me getting all the packets ready for our singspiration on the 5th Sunday of this month. Don't you just love her organization. She tells me that 20 different people have said they will be involved! Isn't that wonderful!? If you're one of those twenty folks, look for your packet this Sunday.

Brandi also tells me that the week before Singspiration, she is willing to help with rehearsal on either Tuesday the 24th at 5:30 until needed or Thursday the 26th also at 5:30 until needed or Saturday morning the 28th at 11am. She is one generous lady with her time! Wow! I think I better be reserving my time for me and my ukulele!

I think I will sign off here for this week. Can't wait to celebrate with you all on Sunday! Love you much! Pastor Mark

Ladies Trio Leads Our Worship Sunday

Good Friday morning Church Requel,

Welcome to September!!! Cooler nights. Beautiful, sunny days. And football!!! Anyone excited besides Brandi and me?

This weekend our ladies trio will be leading our worship. I so love it when Brandi, Trish and Missie sing. They blend their harmonies so nicely. And it always seems to me that their hearts are in the right place too!

Here's what we'll be singing on Sunday: (1) "I Came For You" by Planetshakers, (2) "Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury, (3) "Jesus" by Chris Tomlin, and (4) "No Longer Slaves" by Bethel.

New Fall Study on Christian Disciplines. Remember this morning at 8 am, Brian Betts continues his new fall study at the church. We are calling it "Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life." While the study started last Sunday, it's not too late to join. Brian has books with him if you'd like to join. We encourage you to participate and discover how your Christian life could be so much richer! 

Sermon: "Know Peace." Do you have no peace or do you know peace? Sunday morning we consider Acts 16:31-40, when Paul and Silas were unfairly beaten and imprisoned. As a Roman citizen, Paul had citizenship rights, which were violated. Doesn't sound very peaceful. How did Paul respond? How do we respond when our rights are violated? How do we find peace in unpeaceful situations?

Sometimes my sermon study takes me to unexpected places. This week was one of those times. I concluded that there are times when pursuing peace in our lives isn't very peaceful! It's actually stressful. Confrontational. Working for peace can actually lead us into conflict.

There are times when we think we know a Christian topic really well and then take a hard look at what God's Word actually has to say about it. This is what we will do this Sunday. I hope you all come with Bibles... and minds... wide open! Want a head start? Here are the online sermon notes.

Church Picnic in Two Sundays - Sept. 15th!  

One week from Sunday we will enjoy our annual church picnic at North Lake Park right after our church service. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks. You bring the side dishes and desserts. We will have an air-conditioned, enclosed pavilion to enjoy our lunch. There will be outside games for the young and young-at-heart. Stay for our annual group photo. This is always a lot of fun!

Singspiration and Breakfast - Sept. 29th!

September is a five-Sunday month. That means that on September 29th we will enjoy our second Singspiration Sunday!

Our entire worship service will be focused on singing and music. This is your opportunity to use your musical talents for the glory of the Lord. Talk to Brandi by Sunday if you'd like to participate. ALSO!!! - Sheri and Dave and Cindy have decided that no Singspiration would be complete without enjoying breakfast together beforehand! Isn't that great? Look for details to come. 

OctoberBlest - The Last Seven Days of October! 

Here is a new one for you! Remember all the joy we experienced this past Spring during the March of Prayer? We (Paul, Jordon, Matt, Me) are hoping that all the churches who participated then will join together for OctoberBlest, beginning Friday, October 25th. We're hoping for seven days of four one-hour prayer and praise services each day through the end of October. 

So what will this be like? Each day for those last 7 days, there will be four worship events at four different churches at four different times:

Come when you can, leave when you must. No pressure to attend all of them. Different place each time. Maybe a lot of folks, maybe a few (what does it matter?) The faithfulness in continuity will unite us and stand before the Lord as Godsfield. 

For those who like to plan their calendars ahead of time, Church Requel will host Tuesday, October 29th at noon.

Community Night Of Worship - November 1st! 

Our week long OctoberBlest will culminate on Friday night, November 1st - "All Saints Day" - with a Community Worship Night. This free admission concert of worship music will take place at Freedom Ridge Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd., Ontario, Ohio at 7pm.

The community night of worship will be led by worship leaders and musicians from Freedom Ridge, Church Requel, Grace Church, North Woodbury Alliance, Gateway Church in Wooster, and Berean Baptist Church. Wow! 

Yes, our own Brandi Walker will be right in the thick of things and will be one of the worship leaders for that night. I've also learned this week that Missie, Trish and Brian will all be participating too! Yay!!!

Are We Blessed Or What? I can't help but feel so blessed to be a part of this church community we call Church Requel. Our small church feels like family. If you doubt this, listen in to a phone call I received this week:

"Pastor Mark, I just wanted you to know that I WILL be at church Sunday. And I'm going to bring my brownies. I've already arranged my ride with Sheri. I'm just NOT going to let my knee keep me from being there. I miss everyone so much."

Yep, that was Juanita! When you see her, let her know how much you've missed her since she's had knee surgery. It will make her day.

We enjoy a relationship that not many people have anymore. Less than one in five people in America attend church weekly. Of that number a larger percentage attend a larger church than ours and thus don't enjoy the level of intimacy we take for granted at Church Requel. I'm also reminded that because we are a smaller church, the burden on each one of us is greater to keep it going and to not take it for granted!

Love you all much! Hope to see you Sunday! - Pastor Mark

New Study Begins Sunday!

New Sunday Morning Study!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

Hard to believe that THIS is Labor Day weekend. Where did this summer go? Went by way too fast for me!

With that said, we have SO MUCH to look forward to this Fall. This upcoming season may be the best yet for Church Requel! Read on!

We kick off this Labor Day weekend with a bang this coming Sunday morning. This Sunday at 8am, we will begin a new study named "Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life." We'll be using the book with the same title written by Donald S. Whitney. This study will be led by Brian Betts.

I have read this book several times myself and cannot recommend it highly enough. This study takes its theme from 1 Timothy 4:7 where we read: "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." The book is broken down into 13 chapters, mostly by the subjects of traditional Christian disciplines like prayer, worship, fasting, and silence. I have very much enjoyed Whitney's practical approach to the Christian disciplines and am looking forward to the growth of those individuals who participate in this study.

If you don't have a book yet, don't let that keep you from coming Sunday morning. Brian has ordered and received books and he will be passing them out this Sunday morning. Just head to the chome behind the sanctuary if you would like to join win! (Originally I typed "join in" but the outcome "join win" seems apropos!)

Annual Church Picnic on September 15th. 

Two weeks from today we will enjoy our annual church picnic at North Lake Park right after our church service. The church will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks. You bring the side dishes and desserts. We will have an air-conditioned, enclosed pavilion to enjoy our lunch. There will be outside games for the young and young-at-heart. Don't leave the picnic before our annual group photo.

Singspiration and Breakfast - September 29th. 

September is a five-Sunday month. That means that on September 29th we will enjoy our second Singspiration Sunday! What is a Singspiration Sunday, you ask? If you missed the first one, you won't want to miss again. The entire worship service is focused on singing and music. This is your opportunity to use your musical talents for the glory of the Lord. Talk to Brandi this week if you'd like to participate.

And breakfast too?!!  Sheri and Dave and Cindy have decided that no Singspiration would be complete without enjoying breakfast together beforehand! Isn't that great? Look for more details to come.

OctoberBlest - The Last Seven Days of October! Here is a new one for you! Remember all the joy we experienced this past Spring during the March of Prayer? We (Paul, Jordon, Matt, Me) are hoping that all the churches who participated then will join together for OctoberBlest, beginning Friday, October 25th. We're hoping for seven days of four one-hour prayer and praise services each day through the end of October. 

The goal here is to redeem the days - and to lift up the Light at the end of October, a time that recently has tended towards the dark side that is Halloween. It wasn't always this way. Halloween came from "All Saints Day," which is celebrated on November 1st. We are attempting to recapture the original Christ-centered and church-focused meaning of the holiday.

So what will this be like? Each day for those last 7 days, there will be four worship events at four different churches at four different times:

• 7am - Welcome the day, look ahead, set priorities in the heart.
• 12 noon - Brown bag lunch, middle of the day, break from work with praise
• 5pm - Thank God as the day transitions into night - loud and rejoicing
• 9pm - Quiet and reflective, evening vespers, praying for the holy angels to take charge.

Come when you can, leave when you must. No pressure to attend all of them. Different place each time. Maybe a lot of folks, maybe a few (what does it matter?) The faithfulness in continuity will unite us and stand before the Lord as Godsfield. 

For those who like to plan their calendars ahead of time, Church Requel will host Tuesday, October 29th at noon.

Community Night Of Worship - November 1st! Our week long OctoberBlest will culminate on Friday night, November 1st - "All Saints Day" - with a Community Worship Night. This free admission concert of worship music will take place at Freedom Ridge Church, 2200 Bedford Blvd., Ontario, Ohio at 7pm.

The community night of worship will be led by worship leaders and musicians from Freedom Ridge, Church Requel, Grace Church, North Woodbury Alliance, Gateway Church in Wooster, and Berean Baptist Church. Wow! 

I have been privy to the rehearsal schedule and songs that will be at the center of our worship celebration that night. It. Is. Amazing. 

Yes, our own Brandi Walker will be right in the thick of things and will be one of the worship leaders for that night. These worship musicians have a two-month rehearsal schedule already put together. I love their commitment.

With twenty-eight worship services (4 a day for 7 days - see OctoberBlest above), leading into this night, I would expect an overflow crowd of Christians celebrating All Saints Day together. Don't you just LOVE IT!?

I can't help but think of Psalms 145:3. "Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." I get excited when I think of our many churches coming together to worship our ONE God as ONE church!

This Sunday! Students Help Lead Our Worship! I just wrote 936 words about what's coming up this Fall. But what about this Sunday, you ask? I'm just as excited about this weekend too!

Joining Brandi, Chris and Tamara on the worship praise team will be Students Saudaie, Bubby, Sivon and Izzy. Saudaie will open our Labor Day weekend worship service by playing "Star Spangled Banner" on her violin!

Grayden and Cohen will handle the tech team duties. Lincoln will present our announcements!

Paul and Pam came into the sanctuary last night as we were practicing. Paul's face was aglow as he confided to me: "I just love it when I see all these students rehearsing together!" I love it too!

Sermon: "Generosity Not Selfishness." We will continue our Resolutions 2019 sermon series with our resolution #9 for September: I resolve to be generous, not selfish. As we have done in the other 8 first Sundays of this year, we will invite our students to come forward and they will help me deliver this talk. (Want a head start? Here are the notes.)

You all know that at the beginning of each of these resolution sermons, I ask the students about what our past resolutions have been. Now that we are into the 9th month, the list of topics has become rather long. Parents, maybe you could help out your children by quizzing them beforehand. Here is what we have resolved together so far this year.

Jan - LOVE not LUST. Feb. - RELIANCE not INDEPENDENCE. March - HUMILITY not PRIDE. April - GRATITUDE not PRESUMPTION. May - CLEAR CONSCIENCE not GUILT. June - INTEGRITY not IRRESPONSIBILITY. July - DILIGENCE not LAZINESS. August - EAGERNESS not COMPULSION.

That's a pretty good list of resolutions, don't you think? If we all actually applied each one, what a difference in our living we would experience!

Well, I think I'd better sign off. This week's newsletter has become rather long. Wouldn't you rather we have too much to write about than not enough? I'm excited to share the journey with you. All my love, Pastor Mark

 

Saying Goodbye To Loni

Good Friday morning Church Requel,

Some weekends we have to work a little harder for the joy. This is one of those weekends. Tomorrow we say goodbye to our dear friend, Loni. After a hard fought battle with cancer, she went home to be with her Lord Jesus one week ago.

I don't know that I've ever met a more encouraging parishioner and friend than Loni. Her faith in Jesus never wavered. She knew Him not only as Savior but as Friend. Her testimony of her faith in Christ was always strong and always on the tip of her tongue.

Loni was a great friend to all of us. She loved Church Requel. She embodied Church Requel. She talked about her church to anyone who would listen. She loved everyone at the church and if given half a moment would make sure each one knew it. Despite her own struggles, she always asked about our struggles. It was always easy to talk to Loni.

May I admit to you all that Loni also holds a special place in my own heart? She always made me feel special. She encouraged me. If I ever wondered if I was cutting it as a pastor, all I need do was pick up the phone and talk to Loni. She never ever let a conversation with me go by without telling me what a great job I was doing and how much she appreciated me.

As hard as it will be to say goodbye, I can find joy in knowing that Loni is experiencing nothing but joy right now. The sorrow is all on our end. We will experience days, weeks, months, maybe years without her being with us here on Planet Earth. She will experience none of that. Her joy is complete. Her struggles are over. Her victory is sure and is won!

Friends and family are invited to visit together tonight from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Ontario Wappner Funeral Home, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be at the funeral home at 11:00 am on Saturday. The meal after the funeral is being provided by Church Requel at 1pm, immediately after Loni's graveside service.

For those of you helping out with the funeral meal - here are some details that could be helpful. Chris and Tamara and their family (and Mary Kay and DeeDee and perhaps others) will be at the church at 9am setting up for the meal. So if you want to bring a dish beforehand, stop in at the church in the morning. I don't know how long they all will be there. I'm sure most of them will be coming to the funeral service at 11am. So arrive early if you want to drop off. You can also just come with your food straight from the funeral service. The graveside service will be for only close friends and family. So when you arrive at the funeral home, tell them that you will be leaving right after the funeral service. Then head straight to the church.

Sunday Morning Worship Plans. The Jam Band plays together on the 4th Sunday of each month, so this Sunday will be a wonderful worship time with live music. This Sunday we've decided to play and sing some of Church Requel's favorites: (1) 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman, (2) You Never Let Go also by Matt Redman, (3) Greater Things by Mack Brock, (4) Our God by Chris Tomlin, and to close our service, (5) Everyday by Hillsong.

Our sermon Sunday is entitled, Deeper Trials Of The Deeply Committed. We plan to discuss an uncomfortable truth about our Christian faith: the deeper we go with Jesus, the greater the trials we face. As we are reminded in the Bible, our battle is not with the physical but with the spiritual forces of evil. These trials disguise themselves as physical difficulties in the here and now, but we learn to see these difficulties as they really are - strikes against us from the evil one. What should we do? How should we respond? This will be our 42nd sermon from the Book of Acts, this time focusing on Acts 16:16-30. Want a head start? Check out the online sermon notes here. 

Tonight's Swim Party Canceled. Picnic Next Social Event! This past Sunday we all decided to cancel our scheduled pool party for this evening because of Loni's calling hours.

Our next scheduled social event will be in 3 weekends when we shall all gather together after the morning worship for a picnic at North Lake Park. The church will provide hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks. You all bring side dishes and desserts to share in potluck fashion.

We'll have games for the young and young at heart. AND we will take our annual group photo. You won't want to miss that!

One of the best things about worshiping together as a small church is the family bond we experience when we are together. Family finds togetherness in the fun times as well as the sad. Christ is present in both. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you tonight, tomorrow and again on Sunday morning.

Love you all much! Pastor Mark

Neighborhood Meal Saturday. New Band Sunday!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

I hope you're excited about today. It's the only today we have! And it's a beauty. As my dad likes to say, "The sun is shining. The birds are singing, The bees are making honey!"

Tomorrow night - Saturday - we have the opportunity to serve our neighbors a warm, healthy meal. Here's the team we have so far (that I know about): Sheri leading the charge, Don and Stephenie, Steve and Cindy, Roger and Judi, Mark and Mary Kay, Chris and Tamara & family, and Marci. Thank you all so much for volunteering. If I failed to include you and you want to help out, please come! The more the merrier. We set up at 4pm. We serve at 5pm. And we are usually finished between 6 and 6:30pm.

New Band Singing Sunday Morning! Brandi is enjoying a much deserved vacation with her family this week. Dave Johnson convinced Bethany to join him and his friends, Matt and Fernando, in a new praise band for Church Requel this Sunday morning. It should be really special!

Here's what we'll be singing together: (1) "My Heart Is Yours" by Passion, (2) "Alive" by Big Daddy Weave, (3) "What A Friend" by Matt Maher and (4) "Glorious Day" by Passion. Our hearts will be alive as we celebrate our friendship with Jesus on that glorious day!

Of course we appreciate everyone helping with our worship services. At a small church like ours, everyone pitches in and works together. Don't you love it!? Roger will be leading our prayer time. Dan and DeeDee will bring the communion bread and set up. Marci is bringing the snacks. Steve will be greeting. Shelli will be counting. Cindy, Karen and Mary Kay will be teaching our children. Thanks one and all!

When God Changes Our Plans. We continue our Sequel and Requel sermon series Sunday morning. This will be our 40th sermon from the Book of Acts. Wow! Did you know that the entire series is available on both our website as well as on YouTube? In fact while I'm on the topic, on our website you can find every sermon ever preached at Church Requel by date, by series, by speaker, and by title. It's a great resource of 455 sermons so far and I pray you all take advantage of it.

Back to this Sunday morning: What should we do when it feels like every door is closed? When our plans just aren't working out? Should we stubbornly try even harder or should we ask if God has something different in mind for us. We will study Acts 16:6-10 and discover that Paul's plans were literally roadblocked at every turn. We'll learn what to do - and not to do - when it seems like God is changing our plans. Want a head start? Check out the sermon notes in your Bible app or you can view them here in your browser. 

School Supplies Distributed Sunday. We appreciate everyone bringing in school supplies for our students these past few weeks. This Sunday will be your last opportunity to bring them in. I understand that Amy and her crew will be distributing out the school supplies to our students at the end of the worship service on Sunday, so make sure you come and take your school goodies home. I understand that some of our students will be starting school within the next week. Wow!

Free Produce - Tuesday August 13th. Free Produce Distribution will be offered this coming Tuesday, Aug 13, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This will be held in the parking lot west of the First English Lutheran Church at South Mulberry St. and Park Avenue West.

Bring your ID and cloth bags, carts, and boxes to get your produce to your car. Volunteers will be available to help you. Second Tuesday of each month, April through November, produce is provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Got questions? Contact Jan Fisher at 419.589.2820.

Pool Party in August / Picnic in September! Make sure to plan for the pool party coming up later this month. The picture to the left is from last year's fun event. This year we will also meet up at Shelly Acres, 1002 Twins Lane. We have reserved the entire pool from 6pm to 8pm. This should be a funtastic event for the whole family!

And while it's still a little on the early side, make sure you keep September 15th on your calendar too. That's the day we will enjoy our annual picnic. After church we will meet together at North Lake Park. Lots of games too. Plus this is the time we take our annual group photo!

Love you all much! Hope to see all of you soon! Pastor Mark

AAA Sunday - Astounding Attitude Adjustment

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

I hope your weekend is starting out wonderfully. Mary Kay and I have big plans for this weekend. Tonight we GET TO watch my grandson in his summer play. Tomorrow night we GET TO watch the Orange & Brown Scrimmage up at First Energy Stadium. Sunday morning we GET TO worship with all of you at Church Requel.

Are you seeing a theme already? Sunday morning my talk is titled "Get To Not Got To." We'll continue our 2019 monthly mini-resolution series. Our August resolution is focused on our attitude of eagerness rather than compulsion. What a difference this "GET TO"attitude makes in our lives. We will consider five areas where an eager attitude matters in a big way. You can't wait for Sunday. Ok! Then you get to have a preview of the sermon notes here: http://bible.com/events/663263 .

I have to tell you that I got an up close and personal view of this positive attitude yesterday from Juanita. She had a much needed knee surgery the day before, so I went to the hospital to visit her. I expected to find her laying back in bed in great pain and needing much tender loving care and understanding. NO! What did I find?

Juanita was fully dressed, looking great, sitting up, legs dangling over her bedside. "Oh Pastor Mark - I've already gone for my first walk. I'm getting ready for my second physical therapy session. All the people here are so wonderful! I'm going to write a letter to Ohio Health and tell them what a great job they're doing. And - oh Pastor Mark - all the people of Church Requel have been so helpful and supportive. Sheri stayed with me all day yesterday. I know everyone has been praying. I'm just one of the luckiest ladies in the whole world!" Yeah. She should preach my Sunday sermon! You go Juanita!

Students Sing Sunday! A triple S for a triple A Sunday! Ha! As you can see from the photo on the left, Sissily and Gus join their mom, Stephenie and Leia joins her mom, Brandi on our worship team Sunday morning.

They are planning to sing some great songs that I know you all love: (1) "Indescribable" by Chris Tomlin, (2) "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe, (3) "How Great Thou Art" by David Phelps and (4) "Lay Me Down" by Chris Tomlin."

I love the first Sunday in the month, when many of our students participate in our worship experience. Also serving Sunday morning will be Grayden and Cohen Pierce in the tech booth.

Neighborhood Meal - Saturday August 10th. Our turn to serve our neighbors with a neighborhood meal comes up one week from tomorrow. In the past we have enjoyed great support from all of you.

However, the summer months can run a little lean with volunteers. In June we only had 6 people show up - and that was a bit of a stretch. I know some of our regulars will be on vacation on August 10th. So I'm asking for you all to do me a favor. Would you (A) - be willing to serve and (B) - sign up on our sign up sheet Sunday morning? I've put a signup sheet in the lobby so we will know that we have plenty of people to help us out. Thanks so much!

Bring In School Supplies. Take Advantage of  the Tax-Free weekend! 

We appreciate so much the donations that have already been made. I was amazed when I saw the overflowing box pictured at the right.

If you haven't had the chance to go shopping for school supplies yet, this is the weekend to do it! Beginning today and continuing through Sunday, Ohio enjoys a special Sales Tax Holiday!

During the holiday, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:

• Clothing priced at $75 per item or less;
• School supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and
• School instructional material priced at $20 per item or less.

Free Produce - Tuesday August 13th.

Free Produce Distribution will be offered on Tuesday, Aug 13, 2019 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This will be held in the parking lot west of the First English Lutheran Church at South Mulberry St. and Park Avenue West.

Bring your ID and cloth bags, carts, and boxes to get your produce to your car. Volunteers will be available to help you. Second Tuesday of each month, April through November, produce is provided by the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Got questions? Contact Jan Fisher at 419.589.2820.

Pool Party in August / Picnic in September! Make sure to plan for the pool party coming up later this month. The picture to the left is from last year's fun event. This year we will also meet up at Shelly Acres, 1002 Twins Lane. We have reserved the entire pool from 6pm to 8pm. This should be a funtastic event for the whole family!

And while it's still a little on the early side, make sure you keep September 15th on your calendar too. That's the day we will enjoy our annual picnic. After church we will meet together at North Lake Park. Lots of games too. Plus this is the time we take our annual group photo!

Love you all much! Hope to see all of you soon! Pastor Mark

The A Team Sunday Morning!

Good Friday morning Church Requel!

I hope you're enjoy these beautiful summer mornings! Wow! My favorite time of year, I do believe!

Last night I enjoyed so much making music with Don, Dave, Brandi, Brian and Chris!

Singing and playing with the Jam Band has become a passionate love for me. I love how we each come together with our different talents and together we become something so much more than what any one of us could be on our own. I also love how each team member makes suggestions for how we arrange our music so that the end results is different than I could have imagined on my own.

Last night we planned to set up at 5:30 and start rehearsal at 6:30. Yes, it takes about an hour to get everything plugged in and tested before we ever play a note of music. I arrived promptly at 5:30 only to discover that Don had arrived even earlier and had most of it already set up! The majority of us arrived way before rehearsal time. Gotta love that enthusiasm.

We practiced for 2 hours - until 8:30. Then most of us stayed out in the parking lot just talking with one another as the sun set and dusk settled in. We made beautiful music (in my humble opinion) but the real beauty came in our fellowship together. Looking forward to Sunday morning and hoping for all your sake (and ours) that the music Sunday is just a beautiful as it was to us last night.

Sermon Sunday Morning. If you thought by the title that I was referring to our Jam Band as the A-Team (and thus inferring all the other praise teams as something less), then you would be mistaken. I'm talking in the sermon Sunday about how to build the best possible team, an A-team!

I was talking to Brandi on Tuesday morning about building the A-Team. I asked her if she remembered the A-Team. She just looked at me with that blank, sympathetic look that I recalled from when my dad would talk about The Lone Ranger on the radio. I then remembered that The A-Team came on TV when Brandi was only 4 years old. Then I felt really old. Ha!

The whole idea of the A-Team was how a very diverse set of individuals with widely divergent and specialized skills came together to form a fabulous team. It's wonderful when that happens. It's even more special in church! 

Sunday we consider Acts 16:1-5 and discover how Paul added Timothy to his team. What did Paul see in Timothy? What should we look for when either we become a team member or we want to add someone else to our own ministry team? That's what Sunday morning will be about. Can't wait!

Back To School Collection Box. Sunday morning look for the collection box in the lobby and each Sunday over the next month bring some back to school supplies with you. Our students - and especially our parents - will  greatly appreciate your generosity.

Pool Party in August! Despite the previous paragraph, summer is not over yet by a country mile! The picture to the right is from last year's fun event. This year we will also meet up at Shelly Acres, 1002 Twins Lane. We have reserved the entire pool from 6pm to 8pm. This should be a funtastic event for the whole family!

And while it's still a little on the early side, make sure you keep September 15th on your calendar too. That's the day we will enjoy our annual picnic. After church we will meet together at North Lake Park. Lots of games too. Plus this is the time we take our annual group photo!

Love you all much! Hope to see all of you soon! Pastor Mark