My dear partners in ministry,
A lot of things to share over the last couple weeks. I would endeavor to run a highlight reel for you and give some appropriate thanks along the way. If there are some good things and excellent efforts that you have witnessed over the holidays please chime in and share the good news!
I got an opportunity before Christmas to have good visits with Margaret Brookover, Duane Cottrel, Doris Souther and Pat Cullara. I brought 137 stuffed animals to Metro Ministries from the Oak Grove collection. [ Good job you all!! ] I spoke that the Christmas gathering for Kairos at Zephyrhills Correctional. And had a great meeting with local Church of God pastors.
Wed the 21st was the “Navidad” service. Our children sang and danced. There was drama from our young adults. There was music and singing from our adults. And Pastor Jorge shared between each section of the program. Though most of it was in Spanish it still communicated well. We had a great turn out with great love and support. I was very proud of everyone. What a great night!
Christmas Eve was our standard candlelight service. My thanks to Sandy for playing the bells. We sang carols to the bells. Jonathan Foster and Pastor Diana did readings. I had the idea of doing the meditation in the dark, so Carlito recorded my voice and I slowly lit the candles as my voice played. Thanks to Ira for being my sound man. Christmas morning we had a nice crowd that participated well with the songs and the responsive running. I shared from John 19 about the death of Christ and tried to show the connection between His birth, death and purpose. We took communion together and enjoyed some very pure worship on the day we celebrate His birth.
Pastor Karen got time away to visit Scott’s family and Adam was away as well. I got great time with my children and grandchildren last week. It was pretty quite around here. This picture says it all for me:
There was one noisy day last week. The shelves gave way in the kitchen and the plates were thrown to the floor! Scared the daylights out of me! The kitchen looked like a Greek wedding. Thanks to Ira and a crew doing community service hours for the clean-up.
New Year’s Eve Pastor Jorge had a nice service with a good turn out. Pastor Karen said the worship was good and the food was abundant and excellent. I intended to go but fell asleep. I did get up for New Year’s Day and joined in the unity service at 34th Street Church of God. The crowd grew from 10 – 11:00am. The worship team and the choir were excellent. There was a mime team that did a special number that was very different. Jeff Frymire give a testimony. And I shared about unity and witness from John 17 and Acts 1:8. We had such a great turn out of our congregation! I was so proud. Our being there was a powerful statement of love and witness to the Body of Christ. Thank you all!!.
Sunday night Pastor Jorge had service and a healthy crowd then again. We are headed into 2012 with some powerful momentum. I am excited to be a part of the marvelous family at Oak Grove.
Notes I can remember:
1. Norma Dalton passed away today. I will get word of arrangements out soon.
2. We are back to Wed night programming this week!
3. Tom Wesolowski retired from the Sheriff’s Dept on Dec 31st.
4. The new church directories should be out this Sunday
5. This Sunday is the worship planning meeting after service.
That’s all for today, except to say thank you to you again for all you do – continue to connect with God, each other and the world.
Know that I love you – Denny