Rewind

Our first “Gathering” was great! Donna Stowers provided the meal, and while it is hard to count people who are moving around, 66 people signed in for the evening at mealtime. Next up on the Wednesday cuisine: Shelley McComis.

There was a lot of Wednesday energy around the church buildings, inside and out! Air conditioning was out in the north hallway classrooms so we had to change some room assignments. Youth and Kids, Families, and Spirit Walkers everywhere! The youth had been outside on water slides so they were refreshed and happy. Thirty-two people attended the Pastor’s Bible Study. Open discussion bible study is a good chance to talk back and ask questions instead of just sit and listen (like in a sermon!).

Next week, rather than try to have a separate singing or hymn time, we will just add a song in at 6:30 p.m. to start the Pastor’s Bible Study.

Play

I plan what we study each week on Wednesday evenings. I want to connect it to the coming Sunday’s sermon. However, I ask for your suggestions and input if there is something you would like to suggest for the Bible Study OR Sunday Preaching.

Please send me an email at: [email protected] or call the church office 683-2780. I am about to break away from the Lectionary texts and cover some practical topics based on suggestions and needs that I discern.

Pause

Love your kids. They leave each morning, and for a while during the day they are on their own in the world. Your influence on them is being shared by teachers you don’t know well and by friends on the playground and in the locker room. You have to let them go (some) but love them and keep telling them that will never change.

Bring them to church Sundays and Wednesdays for being a part of the larger family of faith. But notice I didn’t say SEND them to church! Come with them and find your own nurture and support here.

Record

I love to take pictures but I have Jessica Rangel to thank for taking one of our recent baptism of Madden Dash McCullough.

As I touched his head with the warmish water, there came a single ray of light shining on us and the expression of surprise on his face indicates that he felt the spirit, saw the light, or heard the word of the Lord! It’s still the profile picture on my Facebook page if want to see it!

Fast Forward

The Faith-Seekers Class is about to have a larger room because they need it and a wall is coming down. It is good when walls come down.

I am going to an evangelism conference tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at Grace UMC in Frisco, Texas to learn better how to reach and keep people who come to Bridgeport First. If there is anyone that wants to go with me, call or text me at 214-842-9252!

It is a privilege to be your Pastor!