06/25/2023
Message and Notes 230625 –“PARTING WORDS”
2023 ZOOM ID # 811 8577 2844
4th SUNDAY after Pentecost – Ed’s Final Sunday – Last Sunday we celebrated FATHERS’ DAY. Today is another celebration – although for (probably) all of us it is a BITTER/SWEET celebration. It is my last Sunday as your Pastor. Officially, at the end of June (this coming Friday), I will be “re-retired”. A number of years ago (53 to be exact – 1970), I left full-time ministry after a year as Assistant Pastor full-time at the Mulberry Wesleyan Church and became a teacher – continuing my ministerial duties only part-time and unpaid. After 9 years of teaching, part-time ministry, and part-time electrician, I went to work in computers at GE (1979) were I worked 25 years (to the day) before I retired from there. After that was a school year spent as a part-time Computer Tech aid, part time GE Pensioner (contractor) and part-time pastor here at Branch Hill (2005). Then in 2007, I was appointed by the Conference as your pastor – still part-time. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was OFFICIALLY considered retired from pastoring at age 72 back in 2019-2020. But, because of the effects of the pandemic, that retirement went unnoticed – even by me. So, you could say that this is another one of my many retirements for me (maybe 5 or 6 now – I can’t really keep track.)
This one is definitely a Bitter/Sweet one for me. It is good to not be facing deadlines, reports, administrivia, and landlord responsibilities (including evictions). And, at 76 years old, it is time. However, it is Bitter in that Branch Hill Church has become my family. I love each and every one of you and will miss so many things that we have shared together over these 18 years. As I have been reflecting on this day, the idea of PARTING WORDS kept coming to mind. Jesus shared PARTING WORDS with His Disciples multiple times. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus gave His Disciples PARTING WORDS when he sent them out to share the Gospel. Later, He gave them PARTING WORDS during the 40 days that He appeared to them after His Resurrection and before His Ascension.
Our Epistle reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans also includes what could be described as his PARTING WORDS to the believers in Rome as well as to us. So it is that today, I want to take an opportunity to share my PARTING WORDS to you dear folks at Branch Hill Church. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate this occasion for me and my family.
WE appreciate our Friends from Uganda, Africa – joining us the last few months. Mwesigwa Bango Faruku. He is the DIRECTOR of Yahweh is God Ministries in the Jinja District of Uganda. That ministry is helping orphans and needy children in that region. They have both a web site (www.yigmi.org) and a page (YHWH is God Ministries International)
We want to continue to pray for their work especially with the children of Uganda. They have joined us for Communion for the last 6 months and have been reading Scripture for us and leading us in The Lord’s Prayer regularly. To date we have sent $4,800 that has helped them with Christmas, school term tuition, school supplies, mosquito nets and more. They are in special need right now – for food and rent. Maybe you will feel led to help too.
Mwesigwa sent a note to me recently asking if there might be anyone at the Church who would consider a trip to come visit them. He said: “Visiting orphans in Uganda is like giving them a second chance in life and the best thing or way to see how our love and support is making an impact.” He even suggested “spending this summer with them in Uganda.” Anyone interested??
I was contacted a couple of weeks ago (and met with) 2 of the pastors from Epiphany UMC and received a very clear message that they would love to welcome any Branch Hill folk should Branch Hill decide it necessary to close. They also shared the thought of including the orphan children of Uganda in their own Children’s ministries. We are exploring that possibility now – prayers appreciated.
Prayers and HELP for World Needs through UMCOR – The option is still open to give through the Church for help to UKRAINE, Hurricane relief, earthquake relief and recent tornado devastation. If you wish to contribute, just make a note to identify what portion of your gift you would like to go to a particular UMCOR effort. ALL UMCOR donations go directly to the need.
LIVE STREAMING - Tomorrow (June 25, 2023), IN-PERSON WORSHIP for any who do not have symptoms or who would feel safe in being in Church together. We will ALSO continue our ZOOM and Facebook Live Streaming as we have been doing.
ANYONE wishing to join us for our Live Stream does NOT NEED TO have a FACEBOOK account – just click on the URL – Http://facebook.com/BranchHillUMC/live which allows anyone to connect to our services even without a Facebook account.
We continue to appreciate seeing you on the ZOOM sessions (especially the kids) and others by your comments on Facebook Live Streaming. Please do continue to make those comments, if you are joining us only by Facebook. We try to acknowledge comments, but sometimes miss them live. However, we appreciate going back and reading them later. Another reminder - that the ZOOM sessions can have simple telephone participation as well – on the phone you can mute and unmute by using the *6. (See connection info below for the phone # and meeting ID # to use).
Topic: Branch Hill Church Service
Time: Sunday, June 25, 2023 11:00 am
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81185772844
Meeting ID: 811 8577 2844
One tap mobile +13126266799,, 81185772844 # US (Chicago) OR +16468769923,, 81185772844 # US (New York)
OR dial in by phone (dial into one of the numbers above and use the Meeting Id) and for the participant Number just hit the # sign
Our Bible Studies continue on our 1st and 3rd Wednesday schedule – Bible Study itself 12:30 -1:30 with those who wanted to bring whatever to eat together at noon – NEXT session – WEDNESDAY, July 5th. Bob Henery will be leading. We continue our study of Romans – ch. 8. Bob Henery will be leading through July. Thanks to Bob for leading this past Wednesday.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES – Please continue in your giving - (370 Bridge St., Loveland, Ohio 45140) Thanks for your continued support. You have done a GREAT job of this and keeping us going during the last few months.
Pastor Ed will be “Re-Retiring” – THIS IS HIS LAST SUNDAY. You are invited to stay with us after Church TODAY for a luncheon/celebration.
At this point, under the direction of the D.S., Bob Henery was asked (and agreed) to plan to fill the pulpit through July – including Wednesday Bible Studies for the month.
VOTE ON CHURCH CONTINUANCE – There have been a few sessions of discussion and communication with the District Superintendent, Jenn Lucas, regarding parishioners feelings and commitments on the ability to continue Branch Hill Church. There will be an official Church vote on the matter – now scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. Jenn (D.S.) will be here to answer questions and to conduct a ballot vote. Only official members will be eligible to actually vote. A DECISION WILL BE MADE THAT DAY on what the next steps will be. It was scheduled on a Monday morning due to the very busy schedule of the D.S. - realizing that most Branch Hill members are retired and the few who are not retired were polled as to availability that day.
Church Records Organization – A number of our folks have met a couple of times over the last few weeks working toward sorting through, consolidating, and organizing Church records. Those have been interesting and productive sessions – lots of history reviewed, pictures found, and records organization pretty well completed and filed. We still have a large number of pictures from years and events gone by. If anyone might feel compelled to organize and/or scan those pictures to a computer, that could be a very beneficial thing for storage and sharing.
Children's Message (230625) - – “How Much God Loves US!”
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE – I am attaching (again) various activity sheets for the kids to use this week. I will be bringing in pictures of sparrows as well as a pair of binoculars so the kids can look for the sparrows. I will have the pictures printed and also available on the screen/wall (I hope). They are in a PDF file that I am including. I am including the script for the Children’s message at the bottom of this note. Our theme today is: “We are precious in God's sight.” Our lesson with the kids is about how our HEAVENLY FATHER sees and values ALL of us in the same way – HE LOVES US ALL. With HIM there is no division. Hopefully, most of us have had earthly fathers (like we talked about last week) who have given us a large measure of that love and have taught us about God’s Love by way of their own. Unfortunately, there are many in our society who have not had that opportunity and we (each and every one of us) need to share that love with them. Just as God cares about EVERY little sparrow, so too He cares about us and wants us to care about each other as well.
Children's Message (230625) – “How Much God Loves US!”
Theme: We are precious in God's sight.
Objects: Printed pictures of different kinds of birds; a pair of binoculars
Scripture: Matthew 10:31 (Jesus and the sparrows), Genesis 21:8-21 (Story of Hagar and Ishmael sent away)
What are some hobbies that people enjoy? (Allow time for children to respond.)
Reading, knitting, and photography are popular hobbies. Some people like to build things like with legos or model cars or airplanes. My Mom likes to put together jigsaw puzzles and to play Bingo. Others may enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or hiking or kayaking. Do you have a hobby? What’s your hobby? (Allow time for children to respond.)
Since just last Sunday was Fathers’ Day – especially what do you think that your father (or grandfather’s) hobby is. (Adam – woodworking?, hunting, Mike Steele – grilling out, ???, others – Golf, ) Some fathers maybe even worked on some of their hobbies last Sunday. More power to them.
Do you think God has a hobby? OK, I know the Bible doesn't tell us that God has a hobby, but if He did, do you know what I think it might be? Maybe - Bird Watching! If I use my imagination, I can see God sitting in heaven with a pair of binoculars. (Look through the binoculars.) Perhaps He has a book with pictures of all the beautiful birds that He has created and He is trying to see how many of them He can find with His binoculars. If I really stretch my imagination, I can even hear Him saying, "There's a Bluebird, and a Cardinal. Oh look, there's an Eagle, a Meadowlark, and a Sparrow."
Yes even a small little Sparrow? Of course He would see a Sparrow, there are millions of them. You've seen them -- common, ordinary, brown Sparrows -- but God must have loved them, because He made so many of them.
What birds do you see around the room? (Bring up pictures on the wall.) (Allow kids to find the birds and say what’s unique about each bird. – All of the pictures today are of sparrows. )
One day Jesus was teaching His disciples that they should not be afraid. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid when people threaten you. Two sparrows are sold for a penny, but not a single sparrow falls to the ground without your Father knowing it. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."
A sparrow seems like a common bird. It has been said, "God must have loved the common people, because He made so many of them." I don't think that God sees us as common or ordinary. If He did, He would not love us in such an uncommon and extraordinary way! The Bible says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." We are more precious to Him than a whole flock of sparrows -- and we know how much He loves the sparrow.
Prayer: Dear God, we know that we are precious in Your sight. Thank You for loving us with such an uncommon and extraordinary love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Kid’s song: “Jesus Loves the Little Children” (An old favorite – one more time – with a new verse)
(Anne – I will bring hard-copy of the music today)
Song: “Jesus Loves the Little Children”
Jesus loves the little children - All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow, black and white - They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world
Jesus DIED for all the children …
Jesus ROSE for all the children …
(add this extra verse in honor of today)
Pastor Ed Loves the little Children …
Greetings – to those at Church and those at home.
The Psalmist in our Psalm for today is crying out for The Heavenly Father to be able to test him and to find no wickedness. Boy, does that indeed take the help of the Holy Spirit. He also asks that his mouth be kept from transgressions – another place where we all definitely need God’s help as we discussed last week when we studied how Jesus prayed for the Disciples to have “The RIGHT WORDS at the RIGHT TIME”.
The Psalmist goes on to discuss avoiding the ways of violence and following GOD’s WORD and keeping his steps on God’s paths – not slipping. He then promises to attempt to seek God’s face in RIGHTEOUSNESS and to be satisfied with “beholding God’s presence”. We definitely all need to follow that model as we try to sort through all of the voices that we are hearing. We need to have God’s guidance for one thing to help us to listen. I need God’s guidance for the next steps in my own life (after retirement) and the Church and each person in it needs that guidance as well. Listening means that we hang in there and hear even though our initial reaction might be to oppose what is being said. It is so easy to assume that we know the agenda of the speaker (or writer) and to turn them off even before we hear where they are going. There is so often TRUTH buried in some statements that we might partially disagree with. It might be so easy to totally ignore that truth because we are no longer engaged in listening. God help us to respectfully listen, sort out, and grow in our own understanding of God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS and how it applies to our daily activities/thinking.
Let’s read it together - responsively …
Psalm 17:1-7; 15 (NRSV) - Prayer of Desire/Hope for Doing RIGHT - United Methodist Hymnal - p. 749
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry;
give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit.
2 From You let my vindication come;
let Your eyes see the right.
3 If You try my heart, if You visit me by night,
if You test me, You will find no wickedness in me;
my mouth does not transgress.
4 As for what others do, by the word of Your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 My steps have held fast to Your paths;
my feet have not slipped.
6 I call upon You, for You will answer me, O God;
incline Your ear to me; hear my words.
7 Wondrously show Your steadfast love,
O savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at Your right hand.
15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness;
when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding Your likeness.
The Old Testament reading for this week (Genesis 21:8-21 – reference below to follow while it is summarized here) is the story of Abraham and the sad result of what he and his wife, Sarah, chose to do to fulfill God’s promise in their own human way. Sarah suggested that Abraham take her handmaiden, Hagar, and the result of that relationship was the son, Ishmael. However, God fulfilled His promise of Sarah’s son and Isaac was born. On the day that Isaac was to be weaned Abraham had a great feast in celebration, but Sarah became very upset when she saw Hagar mocking. Sarah went to Abraham and told him to “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will NEVER share the inheritance with MY son Isaac.” This whole situation really upset Abraham because, after all, he was Ishmael’s FATHER just as much as he was Isaac’s Father. What to do? But God spoke to him and told him to do as Sarah told him and that God would make Ishmael a great nation as well – even from his slavery roots. So early the next morning, Abraham took food and a skin of water, gave them to Hagar, set the boy on her shoulders and sent them off to wander in the Desert of Beersheba. (I wonder what Abraham’s parting words were to Hagar.) When the water ran out, she put the boy under one of the bushes and went herself “a bowshot” away for she could not bear to “watch the boy die”. She began to sob. It was then that God heard the crying of the boy and an angel from heaven called to Hagar telling her not to be afraid – that God would protect Ishmael and make of him a great nation. When she opened her eyes she saw a well of water where she filled the skin Abraham had given her and gave the boy a drink. Genesis tells us that “God was with the boy as he grew up. He became an archer, and while they were living in the Desert of Paran, his mother found him a wife from Egypt. Many believe that the offspring of Ishmael became the “12 tribes of Ishmael” and were the foundation of Arab peoples and the religion of Islam. Even to this day, we see the bitter conflict and DIVISION between Islam and the Arab nations and Judaism (the nation of peoples of Isaac - as his son was Jacob – later known as Israel).
Genesis 21:8-21 - God Fulfilled His Promise to Abraham and Sarah (NIV) (p. 22 – Pew Bible - OT)
(summarized in the notes above – please refer to the Pew Bible or your Bible as we summarize)
Let’s sing – Since we are talking about “Parting Words” today – How about a song about WORDS?
Song today: “Wonderful Words of Life” - United Methodist Hymnal - p. 600
1. Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
2. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all, wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
all so freely given, wooing us to heaven. (Refrain)
3. Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever. (Refrain)
In our Epistle reading this week from Romans, Paul asks a great question: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” To which he answers forcefully: “BY NO MEANS!” We should allow ourselves to die to sin – being baptized in to Christ’s death – buried with Him through baptism so that we can be raised to a new life through Him. We should allow our “old self” to be crucified with Him so that our old selves that were ruled by sin would no longer be SLAVES to sin. We could say that the Apostle Paul was leaving “Parting Words” to his readers – then and now.
(read) Romans 6:1-11 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (NIV) (p. 207 – Pew Bible - NT)
(Hopefully, one of our friends from Uganda will read this Epistle reading for us)
6 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, [Or: “be rendered powerless”] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER TIME (see prayer list below – with additions/updates from folks on ZOOM with updates from Facebook comments)
NEWS about FOLKS - (note the HIGHLIGHTED recent changes)
Prayers for People of Ukraine and Russia as well as LEADERS around the world. Don’t forget them in your prayers.
Prayers for the many individuals and families affected by the hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes in the U.S. and abroad.
Mary Lou Smith continuing her treatment
Joan Ostendorf - Joan is getting adjusted to living with her daughter in Florida and doing pretty well. Her contact info is phone
(904)814-8998 (a Captel phone) Address: 49 Shannon Point, St. Augustine, FL 32095. Cancer scan – basically no change.
Greg McSwain (Joan Ostendorf's brother)
Rich & Ruth (Campbell) Their granddaughter, Aislinn, a few more weeks or so on crutches from broken foot – started a new job.
Continue to pray for Mary Freiling (Ruth’s sister- in-law) and her cancer recovery – Mary is doing better.
Rich’s brother (Jimmy – is now under hospice care) in Phoenix, Arizona
Rich’s pacemaker/defibrillator procedure, a couple of weeks ago Tuesday, was cancelled. The doctors are evaluating
the next steps and are not sure of the best advice as yet – It is a quite complex issue. Lots of prayers appreciated.
Judy Parker (& Ricky). Continued prayers & support appreciated.
Kim Aucoin (Frank’s sister’s daughter) – Kim suffered a broken ankle and is still recovering – a long recovery period.
Jennifer Thomas - Prayers she remains cancer free. Jennifer lost her Uncle Jim (her Dad’s twin) a few of weeks ago.
Wanda Shannon – Rita’s Aunt – Back home but struggling – thanks for your continued prayers.
Ed’s Brother, Jim – Having a rough few weeks lately. A week ago was bad, but this past week was much better. “He was
back ‘being a pain so close to his old self’”. Our Sister and some of her family are coming up next weekend – also in
celebration of their Mom’s 101st birthday on July 25th.
Ray McDonald – heart issues.
Glenn Wilson – Bone marrow cancer issues
Mike – Diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. A little improvement. In remission – still being treated. His Dad passed away.
Linda Henery’s Mother Dorthy Orth, – Dottie remains in rehab from falls and other issues care – home soon. Linda’s sister,
Leslie, broken tibia and wrist from a fall and is doing reasonably well and likes where she is in rehab care. Bob’s daughter,
Kristen, continues lung transplant rehab - “slow and study” progress. Bob’s friend – Jerry – dealing with care plans as well.
Rudy
Victoria Johnson and her family – Mom, Margie Johnson (was back in the hospital), other family and Victoria’s own strength.
Barb Marsh – Fell a few weeks ago and spent time in the hospital. She has now moved back to her son, Eric’s, “doing better”.
Virginia Whitaker – Doing some better – able to be in Church for a few weeks – still needs our prayers.
Janet Steele Family – Joyce Springer’s Mother - passed away a month or so ago.
Larry Springer – Earl’s brother. Clay Family.
Ed and Rita’s friend, Jaci Carty – stroke a few of weeks ago.
Karan Barre – Major abdominal surgery a couple of weeks ago – cancer out of nowhere. She has been home recovering
and is doing well. Ahead lies 6 preventitive chemo treaments over next 4 months. Praise the Lord. Continue your prayers.
Karan’s (Barre) Daughter, Amy – Still not able to feed herself. Karan and Dean were visiting 3 times a week.
Orphan kids in Uganda – Ongoing support and plans for connection after Ed’s retirement. Mwesigwa – Has been
experiencing significant neck pain. Lots of prayers for him for healing, wisdom, strength and Guidance for the ministry.
Pastoral Prayer (followed by) Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom
come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
MEDITATION MUSIC – Anne Steele
Message today: “PARTING WORDS” (As Jesus sent off His Disciples to share the Gospel, He gave them these words:)
(read) Matthew 10:24-39 - Jesus’ Send-off Words to His Disciples (NIV) (p. 14 – Pew Bible - NT)
(Ed reads – and summarizes parts with highlights)
“24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house (FATHER) has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! (Beelzebul - Beelzebub is a name derived from a Philistine god - a major demon. The name associated with the Canaanite god Baal).
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s CARE. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Jesus had send-off WORDS to His Disciples
– I wanted to have some send-off words to the folks I have come to LOVE at Branch Hill Church.
THANKS
– Opportunities, fulfillment of calling
– Growth in ministry, Growth in depth of understand of God and God’s Word
– Platform for Ministry
– Support – monetarily and (most importantly) in words/expressions of encouragement
- E.G: Russell Smith - “God brought you here”
Hob Arthur – “You should attend that Church down there.”
- Never the Church/Pastor DRAMA that fellow Clergy have shared
I’M SORRY
– Where I have failed – if the church closes, maybe I did too many things or not the right things - not let you do it
– A good and effective pastor builds an independent people who follow Christ with or without him/her
MEMORIES
FUNERALS - (pillows)
– Elva, Betty & Hob Arthur, Alice Elmitt, Charlene, CB, Russell, Candice (death), Alice Springer, Carol Bollheimer, Norma, Dave (death), Dawn C***s, Betty Herd, Larry Hoppe, Larry Bruce, Wilson Smith, Don Kelly (death), Alice Taylor Clift, Judy Stump, Dean Owens (Bea/Miracle), Betty Herd (Scott), Gordon Roat/Betty, Gene Marsh, Glenda Moore, Roxann’s Mother – Shirley, Frank’s Dad - Frank, Connie Tennant’s Father – Ray, Judy’s Father – Wilson Smith, Jennifer’s Grandmother – Sarah (Thurman), Delow’s friend – Jeff Riley, Linda Schulte (Tina’s Mom), Minnie Kerr, Sylvia and Stevie Walton. (18 month old child whose parents stopped by the Church – Gabriella)
WEDDINGS
– Aislinn & Michael Brown, Hannah & Gavin, Jimmy Arthur & Deloris Christian
– total of 16 (a number of which were just “drop-by’s” and/or other friends)
EVENTS
– Baptisms
– Pot Lucks (art class, Elva’s “band”, music – Adam and Hob, Betty’s beans and Judy’s deviled eggs)
– Bible Studies
– Birthday Celebrations - Carol’s cakes (after Church)
– Hospital Visits (being called once: “The evil one.”) - Prison/Jail Visits
– Christmas Servicers (music – Scott, Anne and friends) & verses of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)
– VBS
– Garage/Bake sales
– Pandemic, Uganda Connection and Kids
– Garage/Bake sales
– Repairs (believe it or not – I have enjoyed most of those)
– Work Days
– Kairos Cookies
NEW MEMBERS/CONTACTS
– George/Virginia(not new – George baptized here in the ‘30’s), Marlene, Peter/Connie, Jane, Cheryl, Hampton, Matthew, Aislinn, Victoria, Susannah, Ryder, kids, Zach, Eli, Madison, Kaylie, Katlyn, Jacjlyn, (rest of Smith Family - Zach, Eli/Madison/Kaylie/), Barre (Karan/Dean/Hannah), Ed Smith, Cliff, Dave/Joan, Roxann/Tim/Shirley, Delow, Brenda/Bill, Cheryl, Marsha Barker, Hoppe’s (Larry/Sandy), Victoria/Tom, Thomas’s (Marty/Jennifer/Oliver/Cinda/June), Mussleman’s (Jared/Taylor/Eli/Piper), Adam/Amanda/Nora/Craig/Sarah/Nanci/Lee/cousin Patti, Springers (Earl/Joyce/Gary/Alice/Amanda/
Hannah/Hank/Brooklynn/ Nicholas/Mattie Mae & Ray), Frank/Connie/Mark, Ann Kivett,
Jim/Marilyn Henize, Reeds (Dave/Joan & other remote family members)
Mwesigwa and Uganda kids
OTHERS
EXAMPLE
– I HOPE and PRAY I have been one
– not just “Do what I said!”)
BELIEVE
– Do you? What does that mean? Different levels of Belief.
– Jesus existed and was a great prophet/teacher
– Jesus was somehow God and Man combined in the flesh
– Jesus is “The Way” – MY LORD
– Do YOU BELIEVE enough to follow JESUS (without me)?
Key to my effectiveness as your Pastor:
• “Follow me as I follow (have followed – am following) Christ!” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
“For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever BELIEVETH in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Benediction – And Retirement Blessing
Rev. Bob Henery
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