Bizarre and Beautiful

It has a been an interesting short week around Faith. We started it on Tuesday with remembering dear Rev. Jim White at his Celebration of Life. He served this congregation and then became a member in retirement. His beautiful family included several young children and they loved the stuffed animals in the sanctuary and each took one home with them. We live streamed the service and 173 people have watched it. He was so impactful to so many people in his forty years of ministry across this conference.

Then on Serve Thursday the youth worked around the building helping me out with several projects including changing the paraments in the sanctuary, moving furniture and recycling things left from VBS. They helped the food ministry unload the groceries and pulled some weeds around the fountain. It was such a gift to have them here and see their joy as they served this congregation.

I finished my sermon for Sunday and am so excited! This Bizarre Bible Stories is going to be so much fun. I was meeting with the Buckley family this evening to prepare for Saturday’s Memorial service for Patsy Hinkel. Caitlyn Buckley was a student in my youth ministry and she remembered learning about the story for this Sunday. She said it was her favorite Bible verse and remembered the Sunday school lessons that we did on Bizarre Bible Stories. She could even name some of the other texts I will be preaching on this month. It was beautiful to hear a former student talk about how impactful the ministry was for her. She has asked me to officiate her wedding in September.

So as hard as this week has been, I have felt the presence of the Holy One abiding with me. As tired as I am, I am looking forward to my morning hike. Friday is another full day and Saturday starts with a wonderful breakfast with the men. So, no complaining from this pastor. But I do see some napping in my future.

Love,