Dear Fam,
I was so filled with gratitude for the SRPC family Monday night. On Monday night, a memorial service for Kevin O’Rourke, SRPC member killed in Afghanistan while embedded with the US military, was held at SRPC. Hundreds from the community came from 3:00-8:00 for the viewing and the service. SRCS students lined Highway 44 and our driveway waving American flags as the honor guard and processional arrived. Mourners were here from the NYC police department, the military, as well as family and friends from all over. SRPC members parked cars, greeted, did hours of maintenance, fed hundreds and put on the memorial service. Almost none of this ministry was done for SRPC members—it was all for guests. It was a beautiful picture of the church as an oasis of healing and hope in the midst of a deeply scarred world. So proud of you guys and the staff team!
The Gospel-Centered Life class began last night with 70 people attending! MOPS met and had 63 moms and 13 who had never been before!!
The Disaster Relief team has been up to more good—“DR was asked by the county if we could assist in clearing debris from an elderly lady’s property, Bette Lou, 83 years old, in Floral City. She had some serious code violations and needed our help. There was a demolition of a travel trailer and mobile home and other assorted junk on her lot. She neither had the money to pay someone to do this, nor could she do it herself. We agreed to clear the debris and to make a long story short—worked teams on 4 different days, expended 226 mission hours, hauled 43,240 pounds/21.62 tons of debris to the county land fill. We were able to establish a relationship with the Director of Citrus county Land Fill. Thus, all land fill fees were waived. Though the work was not what one would refer to as pleasant, i.e., it was hot, dirty, hazardous and involved large Florida critters, it is always wonderful to see Christians that step forward to serve others to further our Father’s kingdom.”
SRCS seniors are headed to Alabama to do tornado relief in March. To raise the funds to go serve there, they are serving here. One member wrote of his experience in working with the SRCS students, “Just wanted to say thank you for having coordinated the Service for Service group that helped at the nursery this past Saturday and also to let you know how happy I was with my team. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Lance Mosher, Hayden Hobbs, and "the Jackson Three" - Scott, Lucas, and Josh. A better group to work with would be hard to imagine, and they were a great assistance in building the new greenhouse. I was even more impressed with their energy and drive when I found out that all had played in SRCS's football game the night before. Getting up early on a Saturday morning following a game, to go work at a hot construction job takes no small commitment. They moved and set up almost 8000 lbs of concrete blocks, innumerable 2x4's and put in place the greenhouse ribs.My prayers are that the program will be widely used by our members, and the God will richly bless these young people and the missions trip.” Call Kandy O’Quinn at 746-5696 if you have a job that will help these students on their mission.
Want some intellectual stimulation? Here’s an address by one of my favorite writers, Os Guiness, entitled, "A Free People’s Suicide.” Many of you, I’m sure, are familiar with this Guiness name! The video is 41 minutes, but worth the time!
Would you pray for Marcus Childs? His is the adopted son of Nancy Glessner, severely handicapped and now he’s an adult in a care facility that’s not serving him well. Pray for this young man and his mom that a new living situation would open up.
Last Sunday night, we interviewed folks to join SRPC. What fun and what joy to hear the stories of God at work redeeming and rescuing his children. This weekend we get to welcome these new brothers and sisters into the family—don’t miss it. I’ll be preaching on Revelation 3:14-22, the last of the letters to the seven churches. Can’t wait to be together.
Ray