A Day of Highs and Lows

Sunday was one of those days filled with highs and lows.  We begin with the sermon.  How much lower could we go than talking about the shame of the cross?  Our sins made the crucifixion of the Son of God necessary.  Ironically, it was the shame that lead to the high - the glory of the cross and Jesus Christ!  Your comments about the lesson were encouraging.  While attending Polishing the Pulpit I heard a lesson similar to this one that inspired this one.  The biggest different was singing pieces to several songs that emphasized the points.  The congregation was as much a part of teaching and admonishing as I was.  It was one of those times I felt I was the one who received the greatest benefit as I witnessed the Spirit of God in the faces of the audience.  I could see pain, joy, tears, etc. throughout the sermon.  Thank you all for following along with me, even during those bad pitched songs and the couple I had to stop on.

I'm thankful for David Brooker for getting everyone warmed up for the lesson.  David is really doing a good job, not to mention going to the Gifford church of Christ that afternoon for one of his singing classes, before being back for our services on Sunday night!  Every Tuesday night he leads the singing and service at Horizon Bay.  I know he would love for you to join them.

While we are on the topic of singing, this Sunday night is our monthly Circle-Up Singing.  Every month I wonder how we top the last one, or at least be as good as the last one, but somehow it always does.  Last month we tried something new by giving people an opportunity to make song requests through a survey.  We will be sending another one out in the next day or two, so start thinking of songs you would like to hear.  Last time we barely got in everyone's request, so if we have much more requests than last month we may have to do only one verse of several songs.  We will have to see.  Either way, we want you to let us know the songs you would like to hear.  Having them early allows us to have them pre-loaded onto PowerPoint, which saves time and negates the need for songbooks.

Yesterday we had two ladies come forward who have been struggling in their families.  Marisa Mackey is back with us and we welcome her and her children.  So many of you talked with and hugged these ladies afterwards and last night.  Their is nothing like that feeling of a church family loving on you.  What a high!

Last night Arthur David talked about the lows of an entire nation - Liberia.  He provided updates of what is going on in the country and the church.  It is a terrible time.  It was encouraging to learn that this church has given more money for relief than any other church he knows.  Not to brag, but to know we were able to bring something positive to hurting Christians.  Please continue to pray for the entire country.

 

As far as prayers are concerned we have many we need to remember.  Last night, it was brought to my attention Peggy Stevens is having a difficult time.  Drop her a card or give her a phone call this week.  Of course, the bulletin is filled with others who are in need of our continued prayers.  Check these each week.

Finally, we are beginning a new series called Strapped.  So many people in our country would say they are strapped for money.  This series is designed to help us move from paycheck to paycheck to a more stable situation.  To go from working for money to your money working for you.  This is an excellent series to invite friends, family and co-workers to attend.