Good Friday morning Church Requel!
We have such a fantastic weekend planned! I hope you already know all about the picnic tomorrow - I know many of you are coming. I have some last minute details to share with you later in this week’s “What’s Happening” letter to you. First let me tell you about our Sunday plans, then I'll circle back to Saturday's fun.
Sweet William Cigar Company Old Time Music Duo. We have some very special music planned for Sunday morning. Tom Pappas and Keith Markley will join our worship team, playing the 12-string guitar and hammered dulcimer! If you've never heard a hammered dulcimer before, you won't believe the beautiful sound it makes - especially in our 129-year-old sanctuary. It was used extensively in the middle ages. Think of it as the musical instrument that led ultimately to the piano. Tom is quite skilled at it. When Keith joins in with his 12-string guitar, it's acoustic music heaven!
They will start playing about fifteen minutes before the worship service starts at 11, so I would recommend you all arrive early Sunday so you have the full listening benefit. Brandi, Brian and I will join you all in singing some great old-time gospel songs, including "I'll Fly Away," "When The Saints Come Marching In," "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms," and "Amazing Grace." Tom and Keith will also play during our communion and prayer time together. After rehearsing with them last night, I know you are in for a special treat Sunday morning. This is definitely a worship service that you will want to invite your friends to join you!
Weird Animals KidsMin.Our kiddos will definitely enjoy the acoustic music together with the adults. After our greeting time, we'll invite them to go downstairs to a very special KidsMin. Our entire children's area will be decorated for "Weird Animals!" I wanted to take a picture and send it to you, but I have been sworn to secrecy for the surprise element. Trust me when I say, your children are in for some exciting times. Tamira and her crew have done an amazing job!
Our summer theme for KidsMin will be, “Weird Animals: Where Jesus Love Is One-Of-A-Kind.” Every kid feels different sometimes… even weird. Your children will learn that “weird” means special, unique, and one-of-a-kind. We hope our kids will be reminded of Jesus’ special love for them - even when they feel different! Make sure your kids don’t miss a single Sunday this summer!
The Choice To Love. Our teaching time with our adults will continue our summer sermon series, Light Walking, from 1 John. Sunday we'll learn that when it comes to love and hate, there is no middle ground. Just like light and darkness, the Apostle John tells us, when it comes to the choice of love there are no shades of gray. The choice not to love leads to bitterness, which leads to a soul-shrunk life. Pastor Harry Fosdick (1878-1969) wrote, “Bitterness imprisons life, love releases it. Bitterness sours life, love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life, love heals it.” Sunday we talk about our choice to love, which is also our choice to remain in the L.I.G.H.T. Want a head start? Here are the online notes.
Sign up early. Sign up often!
Summer Sign-Ups. We have some amazing plans for this summer (PDF download). Something special is happening just about every week. Many of our events are free. But some of them involve some cost and a need to register early. So - another first time ever for Church Requel - we have created the Summer Sign Up Bulletin Board.
There are two events of importance for early signups. The first is the Saturday July 11th Tour of Kingwood Center. We need to give them a count by June 22nd, which means we only have two Sundays to sign up. The other big event is the Indians Friday August 7th baseball game. We need to let them know a month in advance and send in a $200 deposit to make it possible to sit together as a group. By the way, that night also include $1 hotdogs and a free fireworks display after the game!
Picnic Final Plans. Ok, I've put this off long enough. Your enthusiastic response to the church picnic we are planning for tomorrow is so affirming! We've had about 60 of you indicate that you will be there. On top of that, you've all volunteered to bring everything so that Church Requel itself won't need to go out and purchase anything for the picnic. Thank you so much!
The picnic will start at 5pm and take place at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, 3431 State Route 95, Perrysville. Here are directions. Drive East on either 97 or Possum Run Rd to 95. Turn left on 95 (North). The park will be on your right hand side, 3.3 miles from Possum Run or 6.6 miles from 97. Time to Pleasant Hill Lake Park from Mansfield is about 30 minutes. There is a $5 charge per carload to enter the park. Some of us will be meeting at the CR parking lot and carpooling to save some bucks. We will LEAVE at 4:30pm.
We are planning some fun group games together so come with your fun, happy clothes and some active wear shoes. For those who are coming late - or just in time for the bonfire at Steve and Cindy's place, just ask for directions at the gate. Bring some lawn chairs. They are located on Lot 230 in the Upper D area. Or just look for the 25-foot fire and listen for the loud, fun noises of a great party! LOL.
This "What's happening" newsletter is a little longer than normal, but then more is happening than normal too! What a weekend! What fun! What worship! Let's experience it all together. I can't wait to see you all.
Love you much, Pastor Mark
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