Dear Friends,

It has been a great week at SRPC—

• Project Beautiful was a joy. 110 people served Jesus at two local elementary schools — Hernando and Rock Crusher. What did they do: Hernando — washed all outside windows, cleaned all desks and chairs and cubbies in classes, vacuumed all classrooms, pressure washed sidewalk, painted 3 bathrooms, 1 room, 2 outside doors, picked up garbage, branches around school grounds, swept and blow down front parking lot, trimmed most of school’s hedges and weeded in most of beds. Rock Crusher — Painted building, landscaped, pressure washed all sidewalks and many of the outside building walls, cleaned all desks and chairs in classrooms, washed outside of all windows, and landscaped, cleaned, weeded, and mulched many areas. SRPC’s own John Weed said — "Wow! I am so appreciative of all that has been done for our school and students. So many people were here to help, not because they had something to gain, but because they chose to take their time and make a difference in their community. The fellowship was amazing and the hard work was/is so very appreciated. Everyone that I spoke to simply stated how much they appreciated what we do every day and that it was their privilege to help out and serve the community. The entire “Project Beautiful” was an awesome experience; I am in awe at the amount of work that was completed. Words cannot explain the gratitude that is felt and the appreciation that we wish to extend to you and all of Seven Rivers.”

• Summer Conference was four days of sweet worship and teaching. Martin Ban was a joy. Josh Bales did a concert Tuesday night, the food was fun and the kids were pumped about the children’s program.

• Sixty high school students went to a conference in Panama City Beach.

• Sashi Jones Update: 7/14 — “We arrived today at Ranken Jordan, Adam and Sashi by ambulance, and me by cab. It’s an amazing place. One of the therapists at St. Louis Children’s Hospital started talking about Ranken this morning, and all she could do was gush. She said that kids come from all over the world, it’s so good. So far, Sashi’s been to therapy (where she even did some weight bearing and stood up) and she was taken to lunch and dinner, all without our involvement. Everyday there will be two sessions of physical therapy, along with lots of fun activities. Honestly, it reminds me more of a fun summer camp than pediatric hospital. Their philosophy is that kids don’t need to stay in their hospital beds or rooms except for sleeping. They even take field trips every Friday. Sashi’s still in some pain, and they’re working on that. But she’s visibly better than she was yesterday. She also got her IV out. Now we just have to shed the hospital gown and get some real clothes back on. On our tour of the hospital, they showed us the “stage” complete with karaoke machine. They also have a kitchen for the kids to help cook, and music therapy room. We found her at one point planted in front of a big screen TV, watching ESPN next to a boy in a wheelchair. Her first physical therapy session was with a very pretty young therapist from India. It’s a good place to be. I think I’ll even leave her here and head back to the hotel (also provided by Ranken) to get a real night sleep. Thank you for your prayers. It was a day where we felt God’s provision at every turn. Love, Anne.” [Anne also noted in another email that flowers and latex balloons are not permitted at the hospital due to allergies.]

SRPC News:

• In our June 24-25 congregational meeting, Paul Cash and Nathan Duncan were elected elders and Mike Beaver, Roy Carr, John Colasanti, Chris Nast, Mike Poloske, Steve Stack and Jason Steel were elected deacons.

• At this point, we are not planning to return to three services on weekends until our attendance mandates it.

• In August, four-year-olds will move from staying in nursery the whole service to joining their parents in worship and then attending children’s church during the sermon. This is due to an explosion in our baby population in the nursery. What a healthy and hopeful sign!

• Our worship director search continues — we are not close to making a hire, but do have some intriguing candidates. Josh Bales continues thru July and Dan Beilman will lead us thru August and then I’ll be leading the music…pray for us!

• I’ve got good news and challenging news. There is intense interest in our school (that’s the good news) that is often coupled with limited financial ability. I have a number of families who need assistance. If you could help with a substantial gift (I’m going to try to raise up to $20,000) would you email me!

• This weekend, I’ll be preaching on Psalm 119:33-48! Can’t wait to share worship with you.

Ray