Look Mom, I changed the toilet paper roll!

On this hump day of VBS, I have some philosophical observations.  Yesterday, I went into the restroom and noticed that one of the stalls was almost out of toilet paper.  I had an immediate flashback to my youth:  My mom standing up, one hand on her hip, one hand holding an empty toilet paper roll, waving it over her head.  She is quietly, but with great vigor saying, "Clearly, I need to do another review for you all about how to put the toilet paper on the roll."  She then goes through a step by step description of how to put the toilet paper on the roll.  "You pull the old cardboard roll off, thusly.  You look into the cabinet and pull out a new roll.  You place the new roll on the cylinder, thusly (it is important to include the thuslys),"  etc. etc.  Yesterday, as I stood in the restroom, staring at the empty rolls, I thought, "I can do this.  I can replace the toilet paper roll."  BUT, the problem (no, I should say opportunity) was that working the toilet paper rolls at the church is not nearly as simple as it is in the home.  It requires a multi-step procedures that involves hinges and springs and such.  Several different people have tried to patiently demonstrate how to replace the toilet paper roll to me, but I have struggled.  But, yesterday, I decided that I would do it.  I took my time and remembered all that had been taught to me.  AND I DID IT!  This profoundly reminded me that it is the little things that count.  Count your blessings and your triumphs and pray about the rest. 

God's Word is Comforting - VBS - Tuesday

"Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles."  Psalm 119:50

Sometimes, the High Seas are a little scary.  God does not call us to easy sailing or quiet waters.  Today, our children learned about how God is with us, even during the storms.  I would say, God is with us, especially in the storm.  We learned about how Paul was in the midst of a storm on a ship and was comforted by God's Word and comforted others with God's Word.  We boarded a ship and held on as it sailed through a storm and we even had to toss all the cargo off so we could stay afloat!  The games were exciting:  We fished with our feet and ran an obstacle course!  If you would like to see more about what went on today, here is a link to a slide show:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Power%20Point%20Day%202.pptx

It is interesting to talk about how we need comfort.  Many people don't like to think about it - we don't want to show weaknesses or ask for help or admit that we are scared.  But, we all need comfort, of different kinds, at different times in our lives.  From the youngest age when we are scared of the monsters in the closet, to when we are older and there are monsters that are all the more real, we have a deep need for comfort - assurance - and love.  My hope is that we can, in our lives, our ministry, and all that we do, seek God's comfort and share it with others. 

VBS - The Mighty Love of God - Monday!

"But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true."  Psalm 119:151

What a day!  Seventy-six children came to PCR today to learn about the mighty love of God!  We set sail on our High Seas Expedition today for a five-day voyage of fun and learning more about God.  In Bible Voyage, we visited Rhoda's house.  How many of us know who Rhoda is and where she appears in the Bible?  (See Acts 12).  The children learned about Peter and the angel that visited him in jail and freed him and about Rhoda who welcomed him when he fled from the jail and rejoiced in his freedom.

We sang wonderful songs and did crafts and science experiments and played games!  To see more about what we did today, here is a link to VBS Day 1 in pictures:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Power%20Point%20Day%201.pptx

When I think about our Scripture for today, which is a prayer and affirmation that God is near to us, I think about all the ways I saw God today:   in the faces of the beautiful children, in the eyes of our adult volunteers who are working so hard, in the voices lifted in praise, in the way little heads bow when we pray.  

It's Pentecost!

Pentecost is one of my favorite days in the liturgical year - it is right up there with Christmas Eve and Easter.  Pentecost is what we are all about - how God calls and equips us to go out and do ministry.  Here is a link for the sermon from Pentecost:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Sermon%206-12-11.mp3

But, the sermon really doesn't end with the sermon - it continues with the video that you may access from this link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Pentecost%20UPDATED%20-%20Medium.m4v

This video is adapted from a great presentation by David Lose from www.workingpreacher.org
and I drew from his reflections for the sermon.  Thanks to John Schuler for his work in helping me get my thoughts together on a power point and to Luke Macchione for turning the power point into a great video.

Get Ready!

We are busy getting ready for Vacation Bible School.  It is from June 20-24!  Our goal is to have 75 children!  Since we had 70 children last year, I know that we can easily meet this goal!  Registration forms can be downloaded from:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/VBS%20registration%202011.doc

Fill this out and return it via e-mail to pcres@bellsouth.net;  If you have questions, call 770-922-5553.  All are welcome!  We particularly welcome young people from the community.  Pass the Word - we are getting ready to explore the mighty Word of God!

Fifth Sunday in Lent - The Raising of Lazarus

Here is a link to the sermon from April 10, 2011:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Sermon%204-10-11.mp3

Third Sunday in Lent - John 4 - the Samaritan Woman at the Well

This is one of those passages that one could preach on for weeks and weeks and still not have really examined all its depths.  Gratitude and credit goes to Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Columbia Theological Seminary, for her excellent meditations on this passage in Feasting on the Word! 

During the charge for this service, the last line of the Scripture passage was read again, the woman said to the people: 

²⁹“Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” 

She went to the well and encountered Christ and then went out to become a preacher, in her own way, and  in her own way, she proclaimed the Good News of God's love.   As should we all.

 http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16877710/Sermon%203-27-11.mp3