Dear Friends,
You will notice some slight changes in the order of service, particularly at the beginning of the service, starting in June. The prelude will move to a position directly after the welcome, providing that time for reflection and preparation for worship sooner. The announcements (or “the work of the church”) and the passing of the peace will follow. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion about what is going on as services are getting started.
Of course, those services will also be starting at a different time. Summer schedule begins on June 2, which means that morning worship service will start at 10:00 a.m. instead of 10:45. We know that getting the sanctuary space cooled effectively and efficiently can be a challenge during the summer months, and this move helps cut down on that challenge just a little bit.
June 2 will also mark the second “Sunday afternoon movie matinee” of features from the Sight & Sound productions from Branson, Missouri. The June 2 production will feature the story of Joseph, as related in the book of Genesis. In fact, before coming to that presentation, it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to refresh your memory on Joseph’s story by reading from chapters 37 and 39-50 of the book of Genesis. (Chapter 38 is not related to Joseph’s story and you are invited to skip it.) Movies, plays, or other works based on material like this inevitably do some embellishing of the story in order to play up the drama, and it would be a good idea to have the story securely in your head to help sort out the main story from the dramatic embellishment.
Finally, the Pastor Nominating Committee is in place and going to work on bringing in a long-term pastor as soon as possible. Pray for their work and pray for those seeking opportunities, that they would see this church and this town for the opportunities that they represent for ministry and mission.
Charles