Bill’s Bestowals:
“You’ll Find Out!”
“I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you.
I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.”
(II Corinthians 7:4)
Irony. Sometimes it just slaps a person upside the head … in this case, me!
I doubt any of you memorize the church newsletter, but in last month’s newsletter I simply did a listing of the sermons I have preached (and will preach through November) in our current “You Asked for It” sermon series. My intention: to allow those who have an interest in a particular topic to find the message online in case they missed that Sunday.
As I was listing the topics, I came to October 17. Pete Chambers was actually supposed to preach that particular Sunday. I knew his topic was to be “financial stewardship” since Oct. 24 was to be “Commitment Sunday.” I also know human nature well enough to avoid directly stating that it would be about financial stewardship. Why? Because I wanted Pete to have a chance of having a larger audience. (Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I mean!)
Regarding Oct. 17, in the long run I simply wrote, “You’ll find out!” as an easy way to handle that situation. “You’ll find out … what will happen that day.” The words intended for YOU ended up being only for ME!
Now, go ahead … ask me about how my Oct. 17 went …
I’m glad you asked!
So, the manse doorbell repeatedly rings at 6:30 a.m. On the porch, I find a box of donuts with a note that says, “We ‘donut’ know what we’d do without such an awesome pastor and family!”
“How sweet!” I thought, wondering which of you could have left it. As I ran through all of your faces in my mind, the coolest thing is that there were so many people I thought COULD have done it, that I couldn’t guess!
Then I rode my bike over to the church to put in the bread loaves. Imagine my surprise when I found THIS in front of the church:
“Pastor Bill, your flock appreciates ewe!” with the name of every member of the congregation on one of the sheep! My jaw hit the ground …
… but not as much as when I arrived at church to find that the “Financial Stewardship” message was, well … unlike any I had ever heard before! If you would like to see it, just check out the October 17 message online. If I tell you about all that happened – about all the thoughtful, beautiful, sincere affirmations offered by many of you, and the lovely gifts that were offered – I daresay my computer might float away, because I am tearing up just thinking about it now!
On October 18, Chuck Schroyer came by the office. He asked “So, have you dried out your hankie yet?” All I could respond is, “If we put it in the drier on the high heat cycle for a week, it might be halfway there.” You guys have touched my heart more deeply than you know. I am incredibly blessed to serve a family of faith like you … and I give God all the glory!
“May the Lord bless and keep you …” always! Pastor Bill
P. S. – I said it once (in worship, October 24) and I’ll say it again: “You guys would do ANYTHING to get out of a stewardship sermon!”
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November 2021 Calendar:
Sunday: Worship at 11 a.m.
Thursday: Grief Share at 10 a.m. in the parlor.
Nov. 2: Mission Meeting at 5 p.m.
Nov. 4: Christian Education Meeting at 12:15 p.m.
Nov. 5: Presbyterian Women Meeting 10 a.m.
Nov. 9: Membership & Evangelism Meeting 6 p.m.
Nov. 13: Fellowship Meeting at 11 a.m.
Nov. 15: Stewardship & Finance Meeting at 1 p.m.
Nov. 17: Session meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 20: Christmas Bazaar in fellowship hall; 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nov. 21: Drive-Thru Community Thanksgiving Celebration, 5 p.m., Assembly of God
Seeking donations of cooked turkeys and hams; office has more info.
Nov. 23: Building & Grounds Meeting at 10 a.m.
Nov. 27: Hanging of the Greens for Christmas; 10 a.m.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
7 – Sondra Bruce 23 – Linda Murphy
10 – Judy Weir 25 – Susie Nelson
11 – Karen & Tony Mosier 27 – John Forsyth
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Chuck Schroyer & David Spurgin
Communion Preparer: Delta Reed & Brenda Tate
Communion Servers: Chuck Schroyer, David Spurgin, Judy Thompson
Annette Hays, Leon Myers, William Edwards II
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
November 7: Personal Care Collection
November 28: Goodland Academy
