Pathfinder

  Summer is nearly upon us! Some of us have been waiting many months for sweaty, barefoot mornings in the garden and hot afternoons on the porch. We are so grateful for the changes that come with this season. We might watch some baseball or go swimming. We have some vacations planned and some family picnics in our future and we are excited.           As the season changes, may I make some suggestions as to how you might continue to grow spiritually this summer?           First, stay in the Word. Some of you are in Bible studies that take a summer break. And while I am glad that you have a little latitude in your schedule now, may I encourage you to find time to be in the Bible on your own? Read a short book of the Bible over and over this summer. Or get to know the pastoral epistles inside and out (1 & 2 Thessalonians; 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus). Download an app that will guide you ...

  When we gathered as a session at the end of April, we began with prayer and spent time reflecting on what it looks like to be a healthy church. In our study of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship , the authors keep emphasizing: if a church is going to be a place where people can be honest about their lives, that kind of vulnerability has to be modeled by its leaders. It isn’t something we can ask for if we aren’t willing to live it ourselves. We then moved into the sanctuary and took time to pray. We walked through the room, pausing in different places and praying for people where they sit each Sunday. For me, that was a needed moment. I realized I mostly sit in the front corner. And while I recognize faces and I know names, I don’t always know which names belong to which faces—especially those behind me. In that moment, I was able to more effectively pray for those who sit in proximity to where I normally sit. It was a simple reminder that being the church means we move toward ...

  You have to admit that Mother Nature has a sense of humor. I find her teasing us with the thought of Spring actually happening this year kind of comical. Sometimes things that have always been a certain, predictable way can suddenly, and without warning, change their pattern and in the process, ours also! Almost makes you want to look up into the sky and shout, “C'mon!” even though you know that is nothing more than a futile exercise. When things are out of our control, there are other options. We don't have to solve every problem. We just have to recognize it as a problem and rely on our faith and belief in God to figure out how to deal with it. Most times the best action is none; the recommended approach, patience! Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher during the 6 th century BC, wrote, “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished”. While we're waiting on her to sashay her way into full Spring, always remember that the Deacons are present and working on behalf...

  We had a great spring workday on May 2. The trustee workdays wouldn’t be complete without an “all hands” effort. Folks from the congregation came in and did jobs to get us ready to open up the building for the warmer season. Brian Burch put a new railing on fence at the Barkley Ave parking lot, removed brush, and trimmed trees. Jordon Dennis did a great Spring clean-up; we are blessed to have him as our groundskeeper! Jim Stott and Joe Lohret’s toilet repair at the “Yellow house” proved to be successful. When we received our water bill, the water usage was dramatically reduced from over 3600 cubic ft to less than 50. Thanks Jim and Joe. We found a contractor that is willing to help us with the new kitchen hood inspection (mandated from the county fire inspection). This normally would cost around $800 a year but we were fortunate to get a reduced rate. You might see the sticker on the side of the hood; it must remain there. We applied for and received an ongoing donation of paper ...