The holidays are here and I am looking forward to them. There are many opportunities for community and service during the holidays and I pray that we will take advantage of those opportunities. The holidays are also a chance to give.
I know that many of you are involved in service projects with your small groups. That is fantastic. I want you to be aware of this opportunity to give. Two of our small groups are partnering to give to the Emmanuel Baptist Rescue Mission downtown. I have attached a list of items that are needed. There will be a box in the lobby on Sunday where you can drop off your items.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise Jensen. bjensen623@verizon.net
Thanks for your faithfulness and service. I am proud to be your pastor and I know that God is pleased with your generosity.
Christmas will be here in 36 days! Nobody panic! With that said I need your help. Come one, come all on Sunday November 30th at 2:00 PM to decorate the church for Christmas. It is always a fun and entertaining time of fellowship. Who knows? You might meet somebody new or get to know somebody better and…you can work off some of that turkey and pie. By the way, this is not just for women and girls but this is…
Ladies, do not forget about the Mad Hatter Tea Party on Saturday December 6th @ 3:00 PM. Please mark you card on Sunday if you are planning to attend. The Tea Team needs to plan for food. Yes, you must wear a hat and yes you need to bring your own teacup. Remember, we are receiving a Christmas offering for our missionaries so come prepared to participate. There is also a gift exchange. The gift should be in the $10.00 - $15.00 range.
Thanks So Much, Amy
Upcoming Events: December 6th – Women’s Ministry Mad Hatter Tea Party December 7th – Men’s Ministry following the morning service. December 14th – Guest Speaker: Rev. Bob Henson December 24th – Christmas Eve Service January 25th – Annual Business Meeting
Hang in there! There is nothing easy about these 40 Days of Community lessons. Rick is not pulling any punches. He is hitting us right where we live. But remember…there is nothing like the church when it is working right. For it to work right there must be real, heart to heart, soul to soul love. There must be real conversations about what is really going in us.
So hang in there. Keep reading. Keep learning. Keep sharing. Keep building. Keep growing.
Stay connected. Remain in service. Know and be known. Love and be loved. Encourage and be encouraged. Hebrews 10:24-25 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25) And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Thank you to all of you who expressed your condolences over the loss of our dog. We are doing better and we really have appreciated your love, prayers, and support. You were a wonderful encouragement to us.
Upcoming Events:
November 14th – EPIC Youth Ministry All Nighter
November 15th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity
November 16th – Memorial Service for Mr. Trubey – 2:30 PM.
December 6th – Women’s Ministry Mad Hatter Tea Party
In 1 Timothy 6:17 the Apostle Paul tells us that “God gives us what we need for our enjoyment.” In Genesis chapter 1 when God creates man He states that we will be masters of and have dominion over all the other animals.
Amy and I are firm believers that God has given us dogs for our enjoyment. I know that some of you would argue that cats are given for enjoyment as well, but I would tend to disagree with you. Cats don’t do anything for me. Now dogs, I like dogs. It has been our pleasure to have a wonderful Golden Retriever named Novacek as our family pet for the last 12 years. The boys grew up with him. He was Amy’s 34th birthday present. Amy would say that he was the “best birthday present ever!”
Sadly, on Monday we had to put him down. He had numerous ailments that were mounting up on him and it was time. It was time, but that did not make it any easier. We really miss him. When we stopped to think about it we realized that there were only a few months that we lived in this house without him. Every time that I walk into the house or into the yard I expect to see him. I catch myself turning to speak to him and he is not there.
I know that on some levels it seems kind of trivial, but we loved that dog. He was a part of our family. Pray for us. It hurts. Pray for Amy. Apparently, apart from me he was Amy’s best friend. Almost every day of his 12 years they walked together in the morning. Novacek doing what dogs do and Amy praying. Amy lost a friend and a prayer partner.
So, we say goodbye to our friend Novacek. God was good to us. He was our gift given by God for our enjoyment. We really enjoyed our time with him.
Upcoming Events:
November 14th – EPIC Youth Ministry All Nighter
November 15th – CLASS 201: Discovering Maturity
December 6th – Women’s Ministry Mad Hatter Tea Party
I am married to my wonderful wife Amy. We have two sons and two daughters-in-law. Richie and Becky were married on 7.7.7. Paul and Monica were married on 3.7.10. I have been in full-time ministry for 24 years. I have been the Lead Pastor at Venice Church since March of 1996.
