bulletin bloopers

Do not put any of these lines in the bulletin..........

"Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow."
"Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community."
"Don't let worry kill you -- let the church help."
"Children will be led in sinning and Bible study."
"This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends."
"This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar."
"There will be a baked bean supper next Sunday at 6:00 p.m. Music to follow."
"Life groups meet on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM for food, fun, and fellowwhipping."
"Marriage: An Institution To Be Endured." -- The subject of a sermon that should have read, "An Institution To Endure."
"Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa."
"The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals."
"Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."
"The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict."
"Miss Charlene Mason sang "I Will Not Pass This Way Again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation."
"The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing: 'Break Forth Into Joy.'"
"Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones."
"Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children."
"The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment, and gracious hostility."
"The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday."
"Attend and you will hear an excellent speaker and heave a healthy lunch."
"Women's S.E.W. (Stitching and Encouraging Women)"

Sweet Peace

God has brought us to a place of peace. Rich has taken the call to minister to Providence URC in Winnipeg and, as a family, we are at peace with that decision. We are thankful for the very special "peace that passes all understanding" b/c without it we wouldn't have known the Lord's will in this.

Not easy, leaving our dear folk (both family and church family) behind and going on without them. Not easy to think of life here going on without us. But Jesus is our "home" and, as I told the kids, He lives in Manitoba, too.

So, here comes a whole in chapter in our lives. I still feel a bit shakey and I probably won't be able to wear make-up much this summer (just a "look" from some people is enough to make me cry!). But I'm also looking forward to getting to know our new home church and finding out what the Lord has in store for us there. From what we've seen already there are many special people there with loving, open hearts.

God is good and we rest in Him. He will care for us, as we go, and He will care for those who stay. Only in knowing that can we leave - our dear friends and family are in good Hands.

Over the Kitchen Sink

Do You REALLY Believe it?

I'm finding that it's a lot easier to say "I trust the Lord" than to live it. I'm finding it's a lot easier to say "I trust my husband to make wise decisions" than to live it. I'm finding it easier to say "Cast your cares upon the Lord" than to live it. I'm finding it a lot easier to say "Be anxious for nothing" than to really live it out, day-to-day.

Pat phrases. We sometimes refer to these sayings as pat phrases. Things that we say because they are true, but that can echo like a mocking voice inside our heads when we're struggling. It's often not a matter of unbelief; it's a matter of battling unbelief so that faith can triumph. It's a matter of giving over so that God can lead without us trying to get Him to lead the way we want Him to. You know - grabbing the reins while pretending we're not. It's a matter of surrender. And that doesn't come easy.

Have you ever had a verse or a song or a quote suddenly "pop out at you"? You knew it was there. Perhaps you even wondered what it meant or how it could possibly ever apply to you. And then suddenly the Lord put you smack into a situation that made it all clear. I've got that going on right now - on many levels. I feel angry about it sometimes b/c I didn't ask for it. My heart is rebelling against what the Lord has given our family to deal with.

But the Lord is gentle and long-suffering. He has made me feel desperate for His Word again and I welcome that. He's made me desperate for prayer again and I welcome that. And He's enlarged my heart and pulled it open to love more. To see needs far beyond my present scope and to care.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want"
"Be strong and of good courage, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you shall go"
"Underneath are the everlasting arms"

Do I REALLY believe it?