Happy Father’s Day!

From the Secretary

June, a lovely month, fair and sunny, a time to be in the garden,
digging the warm soil, swatting flies for more exercise, anticipating
the bounty of summer fruits, flowers and vegetables, all fresh and
colorful.  A run on sentence that hints of the run on activities of warm
weather.  As a child it seemed to me that literary genres spent so much
descriptive effort on the seasons, wrapping them up in sentimental
drama.  Why?  I was probably too busy running, swimming, climbing, and
exploring to understand. Now, as an older adult, I feel more in touch
with the near at hand, which includes the warm air on my skin and fresh
in my lungs, the perfumes of the earth, the chirping of a chorus of
birds, and the tastes of many warm berries plucked from a bush. 
Likewise a bit of poetry emphasizes my feelings for the season.  It must
have been thus for those poets of yester year.
         Church activities have slowed, perhaps for the good, so we may
get in touch with the nature about us and revive our spirit in the world
in which God has placed us.  Pastor Blaine takes a vacation, and we
welcome Nancy Newlon and Mel Hurst in his place the first two Sundays of
the month.  Maybe something will come up the Sunday of Father*s Day,
though I don*t want to spoil any surprise. The dads may be busy in the
fields anyway, and might miss their own party.  We shall see, and take
it from there. * It*s summertime (soon), and the livin* is easy**

Marcia Little

Pastor’s Thoughts

Schools out- summers is here and for many an opportunity to take a
family vacation.
     Some may go to our United States National parks such as Grand
Canyon, Yellowstone, Sequoias* and view the beauty of God*s creation.
Others may enjoy visiting historical sites, Gettysburg, The Alamo,
Custer*s battlefield, Lexington and Concord to see some of the places
learned in History classes.
     Still others will pursue the amusement parks and take in Six Flags,
Dollywood, Disneyland in California or Disneyworld, Universal Studios
and Sea World, thrill at that the rides especially the roller coaster.
     Finally many families will include some of each of the above in
their vacation plans.
     Whatever, whenever, and wherever your plans may take you remember
not to take a vacation away from God. Pray for safety, give Him thanks
for His creation, ask for patience in the car, enjoy the special moments
with family and yes even read a verse of Scripture that might be
meaningful for the day.  Such as "In all things give thanks."   God
after all never takes a vacation from you or me; he*s always with us.
     So enjoy your summer and if you take a vacation include God in your
plans.

Pastor Blaine

 

Pastor Blaine will be absent from the pulpit June 7th and 14th as he takes a
much needed vacation.  Please look ahead and join us on the 7th as Nancy
Newlon shares her presentation on her trip to Jerusalem.  Welcome Pastor
Mel Hurst as we gather for Worship and fellowship on the 14th.

May Flowers

Pretty flowers popping up in front of the church.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

A big thank you to the men for fixing and serving us breakfast, and thank you to Aaron Zach for the beautiful song selections this morning!

Click on images to enlarge.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Sunday, May 10th

8:30 – 9:15

Pastor’s Thoughts

 

Mother's day is a special day honoring and celebrating the role of

mothers within the life of families, in nurturing and loving

unconditionally.  However, I would like to pay tribute to women that

have been a significant part of my life.

First my Mother Evelyn Swofford Pritchett Lee.  She's been gone nine

years now, but her love, life and memory continue to be reflected and

recalled almost everyday.  She was a fantastic waitress and sacrificed

much for her children; my sister and I later  two more sons from a

second marriage. She enjoyed dancing, made the most delicious Tacos,

sewed shirts and dresses that were one of a kind. Her receiving Christ

as Savior when she was fifty seven was a life changing decision.

Second,- "Susie" Pritchett who became a special person to two teenagers

who did not always appreciate her. But over the years we grew to love

her and she us.  Her insights, knowledge and advice were valuable in

many a situation.  She is a grandmother,a great grandmother  who is

enjoying the role again of being grandmother to a 2 year old grandson,

named  Charlie.

Third-My sister Nancy Stajduhar.  Like all siblings we had our issues

growing up, but as years passed while being miles apart we've grown

closer and appreciated the work that our Lord has called each of us to

engage in.

Next- Molly, my half- sister who was born while I was in college; so we

never had what you would call a brother-sister close relationship.  But

we love each other and it was with great joy that I celebrated her

becoming a mother two years ago to her son Charlie.  He was an answer to

many a prayer as is her husband Brian.

Then there is my wife Dale, forty four years of marriage, four children,

six grandchildren, twenty five moves, ten churches and more ups and

downs than a roller coaster. Through tragedies triumphs, joys and  sorrows,

sickness and health, thick and thin, better and worse we have

experienced it all and with the Lords help have come through it with a

faith that grows stronger.  At our wedding we had a song sung titled"

United We Stand Divided We Fall" it concludes by saying"Together you and

I." There are still challenges but "I love her more now."  Her beautiful

singing voice can bring tears to peoples eyes.

Elaine Wagenaar, my mother-in- law who has endured with grace. dignity

and strength more heart-ache than I'll  ever experience. While she

speaks little when she does you better listen and pay attention. She is

smart, funny, loves to read and has spent over forty years exploring her

families genealogy that on one side goes back over 900 years.

Larissa Joy Pritchett Travis, my daughter.  Her middle name " Joy" is

just that.  While she turned most of my hair gray in high school; today

she is a devoted wife and mother to four sons.  She allows me to

participate in my grandsons lives more than I deserve.

Tara Claiborne Pritchett, my daughter-in- law, who puts up with me

through no choice of her own (I came with the marriage) allows me to

drive  my grandchildren to school  and is a calming influence for the

family. She is smart and willing to do anything for the technically

challenged in-laws.

So on this Mother's Day I celebrate these special women who have and are

a part of this Pastors life.  I thank the Lord for each of them and

I would encourage everyone to take the time to do the  same.  It's never

too late to express your love, gratitude and appreciation  to the women

in your life and there is no better time to start than this Mother's Day.

Pastor Blaine