My dear partners in ministry,
I feel much better about this week’s ministry than I did about last week. Lots of good personal connections this week, some solid spiritual direction and some visits made. I spent a little extra time with Mike Sarver this week and took an afternoon with Pat and Tammi Cullera. I had breakfast with Sidney Johnson this week to talk about the Church of God in Asia. Sidney is soon to turn 85 and was a vision for me of what retirement might look like! I also got to see Hugh Flowers and Doris Souther this week. I did a movie night with the men’s small group as well. Adam has had a steady stream of workers needing community service hours pulling weeds and washing windows. That has been a huge help and a blessing as well.
We had wonderful programming again on Wednesday night. I had a very enjoyable Bible study and then got a moment to watch Pastor Diana give Bible drills to the young boys she had in the children’s classroom. They were amazing! You must be proud of the effort given by our children’s leaders and the work of our children in order to grasp our ‘rule of faith’. Linda Cox and the broader scope of the Steven ministry made a big haul of furniture from Lake Shore Villas to Redlands. I’m sure that Linda or JoAnn’s face makes anyone in migrant worker ministry smile these days. Such efforts are often under the radar but the ministry offered to out itinerate worker population is something you all should be proud of.
When I arrived at church Sunday morning both Trevor and Vaughn were hard at work. Communion was set up, the sanctuary anointed and the worship team prayed for. Thanks to Pastor Diana and Johnny for praying for me. They were anointing and praying for someone when I walked into the chapel. I am inspired by the consistent depth and breadth of the ministry of Oak Grove. Michele Pass wrote a very challenging meditation from Philippians 2:1-4. The worship team worked together to develop a diverse and flowing time of praise and worship. Small groups met to encourage, feed and love each other. It was a wonderful early morning.
We had a relatively poor crowd by number but lots of life Sunday morning. I cannot remember any visitors. After a very passionate pre-service prayer by Trevor we launched quickly into worship following a welcome and a prayer. We sung a handful of hymns that the band did a fine job with. The band did the offertory adding a little rap lyric from Jon Long to the chorus “More Love, More Power”. A rap offertory accompanied by a flute, we are a weird church. And I love it! Renee brought the children forward for the children’s sermon and had some of them read the Good News from the newspaper. They got the message about our “great salvation” and had a chance to participate before they went of with Kathy Dailey to Children’s Church. We took some very serious time of prayer together corporately. I am very thankful for the openness and readiness of this church family to pray. I was very moved by the prayers and the burdens for others. Thanks to Pastor Diana for doing our pastoral prayer. My apologies for forgetting announcements. I just launched into Hebrews 2 and a call to pay attention so that we do not drift by neglecting so great a salvation. So far I have enjoyed preaching Hebrews even though it has been difficult and pretty deep. We closed with ‘You are my King’ and left on a very high note.
Sunday night was once again very electric. The worship team is all in front of the curtain, the drums are unshielded, the speakers are turned up and my hearing aids are taken out! They did a great job with praise and varying both the tone and the volume. Pastor Jorge preached as well or better than ever. He preached on the Character of Love from Ephesians 1 and Genesis 22. I understand about half or less but what I did understand was powerful, funny and challenging. They followed up his sermon with an extended time of prayer and a half hour of praise. I walked away very encouraged, excited, inspired and thankful. We really do have a very weird and wonderful family that God is very much a part of. I am so glad that I am a part of it.
Notes I can remember:
- Get your tickets for the Valentines Day Dinner and Entertainment.
- 2011 Giving Statements are in your mailbox.
- Get in a small group for “Not A Fan”.
- This Sunday is Spanglish Sunday
- Pastor Karen is on vacation until Friday
- This Sunday is Church Council Meeting
- Brenda is having a procedure on Wed and Sandy on Friday. Please be praying for them.
- Pat Cullera has a kidney stone and removal is complicated by his cancer treatments please lift him in prayer.
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