Great to be back. Thank you for praying for me. The Latin American missionary retreat was very fruitful. Loved being with folks from Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti and Mexico. I loved playing with the missionaries’ kids and hearing their harrowing stories—particularly one lady being kidnapped and carjacked in Guadalajara and surviving a shootout with the police! The all-inclusive place we stayed near Playa del Carmen was gorgeous, the weather was perfect and the provisions of food and drink 24/7 was devastating to the waistline. The flan wasn’t even good, but I kept eating it…meal after meal! Also, had a chance to go to Chichen Itza—one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The focal point there is on the 1,000 year-old Mayan temple called the Pyramid of Kukulcan.
• Some really good news when I was gone—Knox Turner was born in perfect health. This is awesome—God healed this boy who was very sick in the womb! There was also lot’s of sadness—Eva Staub died (but what a life she lived), Frank Marsac died (both Frank and Eva were members here for 20+ years), Hein deBeer’s dad died suddenly (funeral tomorrow at Heinz Funeral Home at 1:30) and sweet Joe Toth died just yesterday (memorial service at SRPC, Saturday at 11:00 am).
• Have you voted yet? I voted first thing on Monday—the first day of early voting. Diane asked why I was in a rush and I told her I want to get my “guys” in the lead! I got an absentee ballot for my son as well and he cast his first votes. Be sure to take the time and cast an informed vote!
• I heard Kiev was amazing! Attendeees said there was such amazing talent they couldn’t believe they weren’t in NYC! Two more big events loom. Next Sunday night is Trunk or Treat. We need people to do trunks. Get together with your small group or friends and come up with something fun and creative. Sign up for a trunk on line, at the desk this weekend or call the church office. On November 5 & 6, SRPC is hosting a Prayer Life seminar. “Many of us are quietly defeated in our private prayer lives. We’ve tried praying, but it just doesn’t seem to work. So we feel a combination of frustration and guilt. In this seminar, we will learn step-by-step how to begin a private life of prayer in fellowship with our heavenly Father. This seminar is not for victorious Christians, but Christians who often find themselves defeated in the trenches.” All school teachers, small group leaders, elders, deacons and church staff will attend this seminar, but the subject matter is so important we are opening it up to everyone. Go to our website to sign up or get more information.
• There is an awesome roster of upcoming mission trips. Start deciding now which one you and your family will be a part of.
Haiti Mission Trip:
When: February 12-19, 2011
Who: Adults
What: Construction and children's ministry
Cost: $1500, includes flight, housing, transportation, and food
Japan Mission Trip:
When: Tentatively June 17-26, 2011
Who: Women
What: Cooking, homemaking, children
Cost: $2800, includes flight, housing, transportation, and food
Family Mission Trip: Montgomery, AL
When: July 16-23, 2011
Who: Families with children 2 and over
What: Housing Rehab and assisting with a summer camp for children
Cost: $750 per family, includes housing, food, and supplies
Vienna & Prague Mission Trip:
When: Tentatively October 1-8, 2011
Who: Adults
What: Prayer Conference with Dan Beilman
Cost: $2500, includes flight, transportation, food, and housing
Mission Trip Application:
Blair Commons
• I’ve done a lot of weddings and I try to be accommodating, but I do have a few restrictions and one is—no dogs involved. Besides the desecration of any pretense of dignity—there are any number of mishaps that canine inclusion only invites as this video makes all too clear…
• Chad Robison, our new director of worship is winging his way into town to lead us this weekend. Be prepared to welcome Chad, who will move here and resume his duties in January! (He’ll be looking for a place to rent, so contact Wendy Busk if you know of anything.) We’ll be welcoming a host of new members into our church family, too. I’ll be preaching on Acts 5:1-16. I can’t wait to see you there!
Ray
