Hi everyone! This is Pastor Mark writing you to let you know what's going on at Church Requel this weekend. I am writing you from the ICU waiting room at Riverside Hospital this morning.
Update on Marilyn. Mary Kay and I would like to thank all of you for your prayers on behalf of Mary Kay's mom. Mary and I have been down to the Riverside ICU each day this week with Marilyn. As most of you know, Marilyn suffered a stroke Tuesday morning while recovering from surgery. This stroke was large and was on both sides of her brain. We've had quite a few dark days with family, where there didn't seem to be much hope. The health care professionals were preparing us for the worst. However, this morning things are looking a little better. Marilyn is breathing on her own and may have the ventilator removed later today. She also has her glasses on and is looking around. She is also squeezing our hands this morning. The doctor has told us that she is doing much better than what her MRI would normally indicate. Your prayers are working! Please keep lifting Marilyn and her family up in your prayers!
Weekend at Church Requel. Sunday night, we will kick off our new sermon series from Romans 8. Fifteen of you helped me create the "I Know" promo video and several of you have asked that we play it again. I'm very excited about the talk Sunday night. Romans 8 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. As I sat at the table in the ICU waiting room, I was forced several times to focus and narrow our talk for Sunday night. In the end, I plan to cover just the first four verses - but what GREAT verses they are! We are not condemned! We are free in Christ. We'll talk about the 4 Rs of this freedom - the REALITY, the REASON, the ROUTE, and the RESULTS of our freedom. If you have ever struggled with feelings of guilt or doubts, you will not want to miss this talk!
In addition, we have a very special video called "The Verdict," which we will play after the talk. This video features Eddie James, who many of you know as one of the Skit Guys. Normally Eddie and Tommy make us laugh. However, in "The Verdict," Eddie takes us into the court room to help us truly understand the significance of our freedom in Christ. It's dramatic and memorable. It is the perfect ending to our evening's Bible lesson and the perfect introduction for our communion celebration!
Church Requel Will Feed 16 Families! Because of Christ in you and your generous response to our community's needs, we will be distributing enough food Sunday night to feed 16 local families. These are families you have identified as being in need of a good meal. These meals are not meager, but are full Thanksgiving meals with all the fixings! Thanks so much to Sheri, Steve and Randy for coordinating all of the details in my absence this week.
You may also continue to bring more food each week between now and Christmas. We will continue to distribute food to financially strapped families in the Mansfield area. You may also bring additional financial contributions if you would prefer to help in that way. Also bring names of people that you know could use this blessing of an abundant meal. You will have the opportunity to give us the names and contact information on the back of your Connection Card Sunday night.
I can't tell you enough how much you have blessed me through this tough week. I'm so fortunate to be your pastor! I'm really looking forward to our Sunday evening together!
With great affection, Pastor Mark
