This annual recap contains anecdotes and tidbits from the Weekly Recaps of
2009. Some may seem familiar because they're direct quotes from past
Recaps. It’s a chance to look at the year in review.
Jan 04 Today we celebrated the first worship service of
2009. The shortest day of last year (December 21, 2008) is behind us.
Jan 11 Addy
was missing two front teeth today. It's part of the growth process in kids
designed to make us all feel older. It's a vicious plot! We also
stopped our breakfast time
before classes.
We needed more time for study. Now if we can just get here on time we
won't lose the time we've gained.
Jan 18 Today was annual meeting day. Carry-in food was delicious and
plentiful. We announced two new projects at this meeting. One, we'll begin
missions outreaches.
Two, we'll
begin a building fund. We're concerned about our kitchen, our fellowship
area, and classroom space for our kids. The one-room schoolhouse approach
of a hundred
years ago is inefficient and distracting. Sounds like contributions would
be in order.
Jan 25 I once saw a sign in a small community which read, "On this site,
on May 2, 1846, nothing happened." On our website in this past week,
nothing happened. So, I
rambled on
concerning a denominational periodical that I had read which called many of us
"historical non-persons." Sounds a little suspicious to me. Why
would
this
mainstream denomination, which claims to be "progressive" and "tolerant," be so
backward and intolerant? Maybe it serves their purposes God's kids
are
NOT
"non-persons."
Annie's Pre-school class learned that Jesus told His disciples that He would
make them "fishers of men." Then, they played "Go fish." When's the
last time you
played "Go
fish" as Jesus would have it played?
Feb 01 I had cataract surgery (right eye) last Monday. I'll go back
tomorrow for the same in the left eye. I remarked to those within earshot
that I had spoken to Ivan M.
and learned
that he had the same surgery a week or two before I did. I said that since
the surgery, even Ivan looks good. Diann, who knows him, replied,
"Wait
'til next
week! You'll be able to see him in stereo." I had to think about
that for a long time. I'll have the surgery done anyway.
I could see
well enough today to notice Mary's new hairdo. In her son Matt's
words, "Cool!"
Remark from Deb's Toddlers class: "This class is not just fun and games.
Kids in this class learn about sharing and caring for their fellow classmates.
Not an
easy job, but
we are up to the challenge." I understand. I've seen Deb
lying flat on the rug playing with the kids. Hard to tell who's having the
most fun!
Feb 08 Julie had an adventure this week. Some friends of her
son Seth (in the Army) called her and told her to be sure to be at home
on a specific night this past
week.
They had a "surprise" for her. Because she had been a "mom" to them during
their school days, they were coming over to fix her dinner. Is there
any way to
top that? There is! Seth, four-day pass in hand, flew in to
surprise mom! The guys were in on it. Whaddya think, Julie?
Adventure? It couldn't
happen to a
nicer lady.
Feb 15 From Berea Stars page: We are all God's image and likeness - making
us equal, nor burdened by any labels or rude misjudgments that attack our divine
nature.
Our real
image is not restricted by having to look a certain way in order to be
beautiful. God crafts and fashions us as God's perfect image and likeness
of being.
... it
doesn't matter if we have the "right" clothes or the "right" haircut, we are all
children of God and we should treat each other the way that we would want them
to treat us.
Feb 22 Frances is recovering from gall bladder surgery. Ever
since, she wanted to come to church, but weather was a problem. Brenda
assured her that she could go when the
weather
improved. Today the weather was agreeable. Frances made it to
church. She was all smiles and brought cheer to all. This brings up
a question. "Would
our great
God, Who became the sacrificial Lamb to make atonement for sin, allow Frances to
get some much-needed rest, by 'fudging' on the weather so she could get
that rest?"
In a heart beat!
Mar 01 This past week our area lost a giant of a Christian man.
Tom B., a great friend and a great Christian went home. He rests in
eternity. He was a friend and a brother
in Christ.
His wife Kim is a friend and a sister in Christ. I will miss him,
but I will see him later.
We learn lessons in the strangest places. I learned one at our soup
supper. Sabrina, one our younger generation, working the soup
supper received a couple of
monetary
tips. After the supper, she came to me and handed me two dollars and said,
"This is an offering for the church." I asked if some customer had made
the
contribution?
"No." It didn't take long to catch on. "Are you offering your tips?"
With a look in her eyes of "I want to do this," she said "Yes." Now,
folks, how do
you top that
one? Not very often at a loss for words, all I could answer was, "Thank
you, Sweetheart." When you get the chance read Mark 12:41-44. While
the
circumstances
are different, the principle is similar. BTW, congratulations parents!
Mar 08 The weather was warm. Maybe it was too warm for the time of
year. Severe storms were in the forecast. A severe storm developed but
went around us to the south
of us.
News reports later said that a tornado had been confirmed near a community to
the southeast of us, then in northwest of Springfield, then moving at about 60
miles per
hour. Power was disrupted in Ashland, but in a short time was restored.
Skies returned to bright blue. God is good!
From our
STARS page an appropriate remark. "Heavenly forecast: Jesus will REIGN
forever!" Amen!
The news was
not that good from southwestern Illinois. A senior minister at a Baptist
Church was shot and killed by a man during the worship service. We prayed
for
the
minister's family, the congregation, and for a crazy world that has turned away
from God.
Mar 15 We made known the fact that we need classroom space for our kids
and adults. Our building fund is growing, but slowly. So we appealed
for funds.
Berea hosted our third community Lenten service. John S., minister of
Pleasant Plains Church of Christ, delivered the message. Kara sang another
of her
magnificent
specials, and the congregation shook the rafters as we joined together in
singing praises to the Lord. The Spirit in that service was what one would
expect it to
be when Christians from within the denominations are able to forget their
differences and "shibboleths" and put Christ first.
Annie's
pre-school class studied about the widow in Mark 12:41-44 who put all the
money she had into the temple offering. We need many like her to help
us with our
building fund.
Mar 22 I have learned many things in seventy-three years.
Thirty-three of those (I was a late starter) have been spent in the ministry,
preaching and teaching. I've
had some
great teachers, especially in college and in universities. Some have gone
on to their reward. I'm sure some of them have extra stars in their crowns
for putting
up with me. One of those teachers, cautioning "would be" preachers, often
called our attention to several passages of Scripture. I'll share them
with
you.
Read them at your leisure. Ezekiel 2:3 - 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:15-17a; and 2
Timothy 4:1-5. I've tried to live by these.
Mar 29 Spring had sprung, but not for long. Forecasters had said
we'd have somewhere between one and six inches of snow. Of course they
were right!
We had more
than one inch and less than six. The grass had already "greened up,"
daffodils are blooming, trees are budding and all the symptoms of
spring are
here with one problem. The temperature was in the thirties with a wind
chill of fifteen degrees. The weather was still beautiful. God is
still
in control.
This is, after all, His world.
Apr 05 The regular expenses of the physical building we call "our church"
go on from week to week. If we absent ourselves, those expenses go on.
I said once that
"sadly, and
too often when you don't go to church, your money doesn't either." I know
that one family paid attention. When they're out of town, ill, or absent
for some
reason, their money DOES come to church on the following Sunday. They do
the same for our ministerial association if they're not able to make it
to one of our
Lenten services. That's fiscal responsibility and loyalty. The
family mom usually see to it. Another lady, after a Lenten service, handed
me her"
offering.
It was accompanied by, "I didn't have my purse with me during the offering."
A Lenten service will be held tonight. If one or the other can't make
that service,
I know that "their money will go to church."
Apr 12 Preaching is one of the blessings in a preachers life. One is
given permission by a congregation to expound on the words of Scripture.
When the opportunity
to preach
presents itself, one finds that anticipatory all-round good feeling which
follows. one comes to the pulpit, after having secured (through prayer)
God's
blessing on the attempt to preach the word, and feels that exhilaration, that
headiness, which comes with the knowledge that one has labored and
studied for
hours and God blesses the effort. At the same time I learned a long time
ago that preaching is exhaustive work. It drains energy, especially in
the autumn of
one's life. And so, with the exhilaration of preaching a sunrise sermon
and a regular worship service sermon, as well as teaching an adult
C. E. class,
I'm tired.
Apr 19 In John 21, Jesus gives His disciples (and us) some advise.
When they caught no fish, Jesus advised them to cast their nets to the right
side of the boat.
There is some
speculation, though no evidence to support it, that Jesus may have been advising
them to do something contrary to the habits of Galilean
fishermen.
Maybe. But that brings up an idea for us. Maybe we need to do
something unusual, live a little less according to our own habits, and in the
process reach
the lost. Live the right way (live on the "right side"); preach the gospel
with one's life and not simply with one's lips.
And, quite coincidentally this remark is found on the Berea Stars page
for this date. "There is no right way to do a wrong thing."
Apr 26 In this week we lost a brother, Raymond A., as he stepped
into eternity to meet his Lord. In the Recap I reflected on the thought of
missing our loved ones
and discussed
"the last time we saw them." Our concern should be for the last time we
will see them. We have many brothers and sisters in Christ. Many of
them are in
our worship services every Lord's day without fail. If you're not, maybe
the last time you'll see them is "who knows when." If you're with them
regularly in
worship, the last time you may see them will be the last time they're in
worship. If you're absent often, it's possible you won't be able to
remember
the last time
you saw them. Terrible thought, isn't it?
Look around
at the "living picture" of a worship service at Berea. Who's there?
Who's absent? When will you see the absent ones again? On the other
hand, if
you're
absent, you can't look around! Neither can anyone see you! IF ONLY!
And, now, concerning the absent ones, what if you will never see them again, in
this life?
May 03 Today was a special day at Berea. Congratulations were in order for
a special event. Congratulations to Matt who earned his "God and
Country" merit
badge and who
was presented that badge today by his Youth Minister Diann. She
worked with him through the long process. In turn Matt presented
Diann
with her
"Counselor" pin. Congratulations to both.
May 10 There are great days and then again there are great days.
This was a great day. Here is the entire quote for the highlight of the
day from the Weekly
Recap for May
10, 2009.
And the
capstone of the morning? As Diann and I leave the platform each
Lord's Day we do something that probably isn't done in some of the biggest
cathedrals of
Europe or the United States. We exchange high/low "fives" with the kids
present. It's always a fun time. Today was one of those times and
was
accompanied by one of those "Awwwwwwww" things. Amelia was in the
pew with Butch (grandpa). Amelia and Diann (grandma)
exchanged "fives." I
reached in to
do the same. Amelia grabbed my index finger, held on tight, and
began to walk the aisle with me. What a feeling of joy for me! All
our folks
liked it,
too. Many laughs, and "Awwwwwwwws" added to the moment. I'm telling
you again, "Ya shoulda been there."
Happy Mother's Day, moms. Thanks, Amelia.
May 17 Last week was a busy week. Busy days and weeks make time fly.
We started with Mother's Day. Monday was set aside for APPMA work.
Our ministerial
association
helped a family of fire victims. Tuesday saw an opportunity to bless in
another direction. A-C Central High sponsored a blood drive.
Wednesday
(for me) is
sermon research day as well as preparation for prayer meeting in the evening.
Thursday is sermon writing day. Those of us in veteran's organizations
also set out
flags at local cemeteries. Friday must have been a "day off."
Saturday we attended our local men's prayer breakfast. Yes, indeed, time
flies.
May 24 America is a great country. It is great, not because of its
politicians. It is great because of its citizen soldier, the active duty
soldier and the veteran. Someone
defined a
veteran this way.
"A veteran - whether
active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in
his/her life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United
States of America,' for an amount of 'up to and including' his/her life.
That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country today who no
longer
understand that fact."
May 31 We do what we do because that's what we do. It's not always
right, but it IS what we do. And what we do usually fits the pattern of
who we are and/or what
we have been.
We have the opportunity to see some of this "cloning" of our activities,
especially during the spring season.
At the end of
May we see the Memorial Day phenomenon. On May 25th we observed Memorial
Day. Some went to the local service held at the local high school.
Those who did
not, missed out. They missed the playing of the A-C Central Band. In
one of the best performances ever, these young people (some of whom may
not have
really wanted to be there) stirred the crowd. Congratulations to them!
They, too, did what they do because that's what they do. And
congratulations
are due to
their director Kim W. because not only is she able to take a bunch of
kids from somewhere at the elementary level and mold them into musicians by
they time
they reach high school, but is able to bring sound from them which makes one
realize that's not only what they do, but it's what they like to do. Those
who did not
attend missed out on the dedication/placing of flags by boy and cub scouts in
memory of a local soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who went to war
for the
U.S.A. and did not come back. They missed out because it's what they do;
they miss out. Those who didn't come back from the wars also did what they
do. In
their case, we honor them.
Jun 07 This week was a week of blessings. Kids and grandkids were in
attendance in worship. That's 'nuff said. To do justice to this date
would require retyping the
entire Recap.
I did end with this.
I look in the
mirror and don't see the years gone by. I only see blessings. Praise
God from Whom all blessings flow. BTW! I look at all the parents and
grandparents.
I do not see the parents getting older. In twenty-two years the grandpas
look a little worse for wear, but that gives us a distinguished look.
The older
moms and the grandmas? You haven't changed a bit! You're as
beautiful as ever!
Jun 14 Today was Flag Day! Many today don't know that. What a
shame! Suggestion: use your favorite search engine on your computer, or
ask a friend to do it for
for you on
theirs, to type in the words: Old Glory poem - or - Long May I Wave. Read
the poem. Remember now? It's what they used to teach in some
schools.
From the STARS page: "If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on
it."
Jun 21 Today was a great Father's Day at Berea and at home. Diann
and "her kids" passed out cookies (an annual tradition) to the dads in
attendance. She made more
than enough
individual packets. Or, was it that there should have been more dads
there? Amanda was there but at nearly age 21, she's not one of
Diann's kids.
So - Janer
brought me mine. The cookies? Sugar free! The taste? Great!
The look on Janer's face? Priceless! (Once, when I was at her
grandpa Mick's house
and Janer
was there, she fed me "gummy bears.") Ever notice how kids like to give?
No wonder Jesus liked to have them around. He was a Giver, too.
Jun 28 Thanks to those Bereans and our other Christian brothers and
sisters who supported the Ashland Summer Days Vesper Service. The
Ashland/Pleasant Plains
Ministerial
Association sponsors this service with support from others in the community.
Watch for this service again next year. Don't miss out!
Annie's Pre-school class studied about Moses today. A remark on her
page reads: "We had our own 'burning bush' today and a walking stick (but it
didn't turn)
into a
snake)!" Deb's Toddlers page said they "had a full house." AMEN!
That's great! No snakes and a full house. Does it get any better?
July 05 In keeping with Independence Day this week's recap contained a
complete copy of the Declaration of Independence. Remember when it used to
be REQUIRED
READING in
school? Is it still? Ask your student.
July 12 Brenda's birthday celebration was a surprise party planned
by her children Jack and Penny. The rented a banquet hall;
Jack put together a computerized slide
presentation
of pictures taken at various stages of Brenda's life. Big sheet
cakes abounded and the birthday girl was in attendance. Except for one
thing,
everything
went off without a hitch! On Friday, the day before the big shindig,
Brenda received a phone call from someone who said that she was sorry but
she
would not be
able to make it to the party. Brenda's natural response was such
that the caller knew immediately she had ruined a surprise. Not to be
daunted,
Brenda
did what one would expect Brenda to do. She absolved the caller of
all fault, said she was ale to act surprised, then promptly let the kids know
that the
proverbial
beans had been spilled. And, if this "leak" was not enough, she told us of
a surprise party that Frances had planned to give her at around eight
years of age.
A neighbor girl was more direct about "helping." A day or so before the
event, she said, "I'll tell you a little secret if you won't tell. Your
mom's
having a
surprise party for you." Kids are always willing to let you in on secrets.
Brenda
makes no bones about her years. She says, "I'm sixty!" Now, Doris
has a birthday coming up on the 24th. Wasn't she in Brenda's high
school class?
Wasn't
Mick right there with them? Hmmmmmmmm.
July 19 Today's message was entitled, "It's O. K. to drink from the
saucer." In Psalms 23:5 David tells us that his cup overflows. Does
yours? It does if the Good
Shepherd is
your shepherd. Count your blessings. Notice that your cup overflows.
Does God want you to drink from the saucer? What do you think?
And from the STARS page, this comforting thought. "The will of God
will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."
July 26 Our missions program of sending boxes of needs and goodies to Seth
(in Afghanistan) has been successful. We continue to send boxes as the
supply of
"stuff"
continues to grow. With the help of other, we've added more names to our
list of guys, some of whom receive nothing from home. Thanks to
another of
our stalwarts, Deb A. The idea of sending those boxes to troops was her
brainchild. Thanks to others who chimed in with the idea to support
a nursing
home in the area. God blesses us! This is our chance to be a
blessing.
Aug 02 Today's Recap was devoted to a modified version of an article I
submitted to a local newspaper. It reads, in part, "To make a test of
fellowship, . . . out of one's
perception of
the salvific value of baptism is as counterproductive to the cause of Christ as
is the use of any other denominational creed or confession as part of
that same
test. It is remarkable to me that proponents on either side of the issue
of baptism have divided the Church they propose to unite according to Jesus'
prayer to the
Father (John 17:21), and continue to "strain out gnats and swallow camels" all
the while (mixing metaphors here) jousting with the windmill
represented
by the "other" church. That other church of Christians is not the enemy.
Aug 09
Annie, one of our "you can always count on them-teachers" had gone on
vacation, cut short by a "squeezed in" doctor's appointment. There were
problems.
An internal
growth required immediate surgical attention. A biopsy comes first.
She was aware that this could be a malignancy. In the process I learned of
Annie's
great faith. As I tried to say the right things and came up with only
trite things, she said that she was fine. Then she said, "I count it my
joy." I know
what she
meant. So do you. And, right there a sermon idea was born.
Combine appropriate Scripture passages, mix in Annie's faith, add to that
(by way of illustration) how Horatio Spafford came to write
"It Is Well With My Soul,"
and one has a
sermon which can only expose Scripture and expose Annie's faith.
(We know now that she had surgery on August 24th and recovered nicely.)
Aug 16 Something new was added today. Just prior to my message, our youth
minister added a "Kids' Sermon." Diann sits on the platform, the
kids sit around her
on the steps.
A "one pointer" is delivered in words they understand. Had you been there
today you would have seen an excellent job, an excellent point, a
flowing
message, and an easy to follow sermon/lesson. The kids chimed in where
they should and they had a good time. Some of their answers to questions
show that
they're retaining what they're learning in our C. E. classes. Superlatives
are in order for today's first of many kids' sermons.
Aug 23 Today in our
kids' sermon we read the start, middle, and end of a good storybook with many
pages. We decided that we did not know enough about the book
to tell the
whole story. We then compared that to reading the Bible. We read
Matthew 5:38, "You have heard
that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for
tooth.'" That's
where we stopped and we decided that we would get the wrong idea if we had not
continued on to verse 39.
"But I tell you, do not resist an
evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the
other also." So, if you want
to know the whole story of God and His people, we need to
read the
whole Bible.
Wonder how many of us have done that?
Aug 30 Be prepared for a September 12th auction at the home place of our
longtime members Dean and Lois Mae. And, if you're able to
help with the food concession
or to bring
food, see the sign-up sheet on the foyer table or see Kara for further
details.
Nice to see "visitors" from the state of Virginia in our worship today.
Mary K. and daughter Amelia were visiting with grandma and grandpa
and with old friends
at Berea.
Quote from the STARS page: "God doesn't want shares of your life, He wants controlling interest!"
Sep 06 It was
our privilege to have in our worship service a young man who recently returned
from Afghanistan for a couple of weeks' leave. Seth, his young lady
Katie
(sp?), mom Julie, and grandfather Marvin were present. We
pray for Seth on a regular basis. He's on our Wednesday Prayer
Meeting list. He's in our
prayers
daily. He left here a while back. He came back very mature for his
years. We know of his expression of faith, made to his mother. It
went something
like this.
"Mom, I was in some situations over there, that I shouldn't have come out of."
It meant that he knew that we were praying for him and that God,
Who always
answers prayer, was in those situations with him. He returns to those
"situations" in a few days. We will continue to pray for him until he
comes
and doesn't
have to return again. "Do what ya gotta do, Seth. God bless
you and keep you."
Sep 13
Yesterday was a milestone day. It was the day of Dean and Lois
Mae's sale which included the sale of their home place. They had lived
there for forty-six
years.
There were a few teary eyes in the crowd. During that sale, Paul
(worth his weight in gold), Deb A.'s husband bought (for a whole dollar)
a tool of
sorts simply
because no one knew what it was. We all guessed at what it might be.
Finally someone who was thinking said, "Ask Dean." Good idea.
"Dean, what is this?" He answered, "I don't know --- but I've
been looking for it for a long time." That's Dean. And in
those moments of profound speech,
Lois Mae,
with her sly mile just shook her head in mock disbelief.
Sep 20 Christian education is the foundation of Christian life. This
leads to the question begging to be asked. Why do so many Christians
ignore/forget this major
responsibility? I don't know. Maybe you can do a little
soul-searching and come up with suggestions for answers to that question.
While you're at it, if
you're one of
those who do not avail themselves of a Christian education, check out our
service times on the TOC page and see that we do offer a Christian
Education
Hour. And, be assured, it's not for kids only.
Sep 27 The
Mayan calendar prediction for December 21, 2012 is the subject of recent weeks.
According to those who claim to know, the world will end on that date.
Folks are
always concerned about these great disaster days. The concern in these
weeks has been, "Should I be prepared for the worst to happen on
December 12,
2012?" The answer is: YES! One should be prepared for what is
commonly called the "end of the world" on any day of any week of any year,
regardless
whose calendar one consults. Read Luke 12:40,41. Being prepared for
December 21, 2012 is a good idea. One should be prepared for everyday.
I'd suggest
that we forget about the Mayan calendar, ignore the predictions of Nostradamus,
hear the words of Christ.
From the STARS page: "When was the last time you told God you love Him?
He is still listening."
Oct 04
Today was 4-H Sunday at Berea. We welcomed the Berea 4-Hers as we do every
year.
What does a
"knot" have to do with a sermon? Diann knows. So do a bunch of us
older types, now. Two pieces of rope, three pieces of paper, and a bag of
pretzels were
all that was needed to teach the kids a lesson. If you weren't in our
worship service today, YOU MISSED IT!
A number of folks from Ashland United Methodist and one from New Beginnings will
be participating with us in our presentation of Angels Aware in December.
It's another
step toward cementing our unity in Christ. See our calendar of events on
the Table of Contents page.
Oct 11 Under Diann's guidance our youth group built an outline of
Noah's ark right out in our "east yard." The outline, 450' long x 75' wide
x 45' high, represented the
1,718,750
cubic feet of space that the ark contained. Yep, it's a bit larger than
your refrigerator. And - yes it could have held all the animals that God
ordered
Noah to take
in there, would have provided room for the eight human passengers, and would
have provided room for food and drink for all. And if the outline
wasn't
enough, Matt, with some help, put together a plastic model (according to
one interpreter's version) of the ark. He then came to the adult C. E.
class and
presented
(adlib) a report on the design of the ark. He even informed us about the
"moon pool" incorporated into the ark. What's a "moon pool," you might
ask?
Ya should
have been there.
Oct 18 Ron P. was honored today by Illinois College folks by being
asked to deliver the invocation at the installation banquet for those being
inducted into the I. C. Sports
Hall of Fame.
It was fitting. Ron himself is a member of the I. C. Sports Hall of
Fame, he's one-half of our board co-chairmanship (wife Deb is the other
half),
he's one of
our elders, he's one of our Christian Education teachers, and he's a great
example of a Christian man.
Oct 25 It doesn't look too good for harvest time this year.
According to one web site the next five days, broken in day/night sessions (ten
sessions) look like this. One
segment will
have the possibility of rain, one day will have some rain, and the rest will
have rain. I'm no farmer (the fact of which I'm frequently reminded as if
I suffer from
some debilitating disease), but I do know this. There will be no picking
of corn or combining of beans in the next five days.
Annie's Pre-School class discussed David bringing food to his brothers
who were in the army. He took bread, cheese, and corn. The
pre-schoolers made baskets
and filled
them with "bread, cheese, and (candy) corn. Why candy corn? They
couldn't get into the fields to get the real stuff. IT'S NOT FUNNY!
Nov 01 It rained, and it rained. Then it poured. Friday
afternoon brought Harry to the door with the announcement that there were six
inches of water on the basement
floor.
Thank God it was not sewage. Guys and gals went into action. The
water was pumped out. We expected more water by Saturday. We were
right. Berea
had promised
to host the men's prayer breakfast on that Saturday. We did. Thanks
to our ladies who laid out a food spread in the foyer upstairs. Thanks to
those who
attended in inclement weather. The furnaces were off because of the water.
The temperature in the church was 58 degrees. So what?
Good quote from James Kennedy on the STARS page. "If you don't avoid the bait--you'll end up on the hook."
Nov 08 As in
the days of Noah, the waters (in our church basement) eventually receded.
The floor is dirty, but dry. And, a couple of our resourceful guys located
a
company that
will send someone out to use a "scope" on our floor drains to see what caused
the problem. Eventually we'll be back to normal.
Nov 15 The
kids rang bells for the Salvation Army kettle in a Jacksonville grocery store
yesterday. Some of us bigger kids went along. They had fun, so did
we. The
time schedule
said they'd ring from 10 a.m. 'til noon. Attention span isn't what it used
to be. The bigger kids finished out the project, but Diann taught them
the
importance of giving to those less fortunate. Good experience. P. S.
Janer sure does like stickers.
Today, Jen and Jes, daughters of Stan Way, former minister
at Berea, sang in concert during our regular worship service. They are
visiting family in the area
and we were
privileged to hear them in their "home church." They did a great job.
God has blessed them with talent and they use it in His service.
Nov 22 One inch of water discovered on the basement floor this past week.
The water was still there at 12:30 p.m. and at 5:00 p.m. No increase; no
decrease. It was
gone by
Saturday.
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Christian unity by participating in our annual
Community Thanksgiving Dinner and Worship service at Peter Cartwright United
Methodist
Church. Good food, good fellowship. Thomas Campbell, Alexander
Campbell, Barton Stone, Walter Scott and many more had a great idea.
Nov 29 We held a special meeting this past week to discuss the water
problems in the church basement. Did everyone agree on recommendations
from a "water
problem"
company. Of course not! We don't have to. We'll get second and
third (or more) opinions from other experts. Then we'll make a decision.
Important
in all this
is to remember that "If they tried my idea, I have to let them try theirs."
Dec 06 Our Angels Aware presentations were held on Dec. 5th and 6th.
We had fun. The audiences had fun. We were helped in out
presentations by folks from a couple
of our local
churches. It's just another way of displaying our Christian unity.
During the communion hymn this morning I received a blessing which I later
reported during "Shared Blessings" time. As we sang, O Little Town of
Bethlehem,
I looked into
the eyes of Jesus. Ethan H., who at the age of eight months made
his theatrical debut by playing the part of the baby Jesus in "Angels Aware,'
was being
held by Grandma as she led the singing. I "felt" someone looking at
me. I looked up from my hymnal to find Ethan looking directly at me
and
smiling.
I kept singing and looking at him. He smiled the entire time. Now -
what's more innocent than the smile of an eight-month-old? To this day,
Jesus
smiles on His
Father's kids.
Dec 13 No
Kids' Sermon today. Diann and Butch are visiting daughter
Mary, son-in-law Luke, and granddaughter Amelia. Be sure
to be here next week
when the
Children's Sermon will be entitled, "Herod the Grinch." NOTE: Be sure
to read the next entry, Dec 20.
Dec 20
Diann and Butch didn't make it back from their Norfolk, Virginia trip
as expected. They left Norfolk sometime mid-Friday and were caught in the
major snow storm
of the season
in that area. With highways closed after making two hundred eighty miles
on Friday, they stopped in Lewisburg, West Virginia. After making sixty
miles in
seven hours on Saturday, they set up temporary residence in Beckley, West
Virginia. At this evening's annual Christmas party at Berea I asked
daughter-in-law Lori if she had any word of their whereabouts. She
said that they were on the road the expected to be back around 7:30 p.m.
They'll make it!
God has the
situation in hand. UPDATE: They're back safe and sound.
Arrived home around 8:00 p.m. God is good!
Thanks to
Deb for carrying the ball in our Christmas party. Deb had some
help from "Old Faithful" (emphasis on "faithful," please) Ron.
Kara and I also had a great weekend. Saturday we saw our daughter
Amanda graduate with honors (one semester early) from Southern Illinois
University at
Edwardsville
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, in the Honors Scholars Program.
She will begin her studies toward a Master's degree in Behavioral
Analysis
Therapy at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, one of the most
prestigious in the nation. Beyond that? Time will tell. Our
baby's grown up! We're
getting older
and more thankful everyday.
Dec 27 It
rained about three inches and then it snowed about three inches. The roads
were slick and the wind blew the snow across the highway. Even so, some
brave
souls made it
out to worship this morning. Some could not make it. Navigating on
foot in snow and ice is very difficult for some. Ask Kara.
The ice and the
concrete walk
met her rudely this morning. We missed you, but we understand and would
rather have you safe at home. And, if what some say it the equivalent
of snow in
three inches of rain, I suppose we'd prefer the rain. Some put that ratio
at six inches of snow to one inch of rain. Others, of course, differ.
In any
case, if the
first group is correct, we dodged the bullet of eighteen inches of snow, plus
the three that fell as snow. The total could have been
twenty-one
inches of snow. If you'd like to disagree on the 6-1 ration, please send
your opinion and the entry fee of $100, along with your birth certificate
(copies
not
accepted), to "I Want to Quibble Over Nothing," c/o Berea Christian Church, 2053
S. Hwy 123, Ashland, IL 62612. Our distinguished panel of experts will
judge
the best
disagreement and issue a proper prize on April First.
Happy New Year!
******************************************************************
Another excellent year,
in spite of a few setbacks! Thanks to all who
had even a small part in making it
happen! We were all blessed in 2009.
Stick around! When it comes to God's
blessings, "You ain't
seen nuthin' yet!"
And so it goes. Another year in the lives of God’s kids. Love one another.
In Christian love,
Ed