Happy Birthday Smukkie!
I enjoy working with our youth group more than I can even put into words. The kids are great and they constantly have new and exciting ideas. I just received a text message from one of the young ladies in our youth group who wants to celebrate her dog Smukkie's birthday here at the church. Now I know that celebrating a dog's birthday isn't one of our long and honored traditions here at Christ United Church; still I gladly said yes to her request for several reasons. First of all ... I'm a dog lover, how could I ever say no to celebrating with one of the greatest animals ever created by God? Secondly, I know this girl loves her dog dearly, so again how could I say no? And finally, I'm the one who gave her the dog in the first place so of course we have to celebrate!
I guess the reason I'm so looking forward to doing this is because it's going to be another joyous event that will take place here at the church. The girl who owns the dog obviously cares a great deal about her pet and she also feels comfortable enough here at the church to want to be here to celebrate with her friends. To me, that's what faith and fellowship are all about. It's about being here together with the people we care about the most. It's about sharing the most important events in our lives with each other. How wonderful it would be if everyone felt that way. The earliest Christians were described this way in the Acts of the Apostles, "Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common ..." - Acts 2:44.
Brothers and sisters, when we are willing to share the most important things in our lives with each other we are blessed. When we are willing to share our faith and our fellowship with each other, everyone is blessed (even dogs, why not?) And when we present our best offering to the Lord ... He will bless us in return.
Everyone can rest easy now ... I'm no longer in charge of trying to run the church office. From now on bulletins will have less errors, the newsletter will get out on time AND have factual information! Oh yes, a new day has dawned ... we have a new church secretary ... PRAISE THE LORD! Her name is Shira Iles and she's quite creative. She's remodeled the church office and she's also a notary public in case any of you need her services. Stop by the office sometime and introduce yourself. She'd be glad to meet you.
This Sunday after worship we're having a congregational meeting to approve the budget for 2012. Everyone is encouraged to attend. Also, there will be an initial planning meeting for the upcoming all church retreat at Slumber Falls Camp.
Our Scripture lesson this Sunday will be Philippians 4:2-20. The message will focus on how to be a productive Christian no matter what situation you may find yourself in.
Don't forget our annual congregational meeting will be held the last Sunday of this month ... January 29. The youth group will furnish the meal.
We will have our weekly Youth Rally this Friday beginning at 6:30 pm. Everyone is invited.
Have a blessed week.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Darrin
