Jeff's Journal

There is so much to say.

Everyone we have heard from

   thought Sunday's dedication and meal

   went very well.

There were 254 people more or less

   who came and celebrated with us.

We received $13,000 toward the renovation fund.

Special music was awesome with two choir anthems,

   one accompanied by Eric and Nadine Hale and their

   daughters brass quartet. Jeff and Vicky Myers and

   Sylvia Villegas, drew vigorous applause when they sang

      at the beginning, middle and ending of the service.

Thank you to everyone who participated, attended

   and worked to make this day possible.

 

Today begins the Lenten season.

   By the time you have receive this

      the Ash Wednesday service

      will have been held.

The ashes imposed on the forehead

   represent our mortality

   the short life we lead

   and the need to live fully each moment.

The symbolic foot washing

   reminds us the Christ came to humbly serve

   and that we, too, are to bow to serve others.

The devotionals are written by Henri Nouwen,

   one of my favorite writers. You are welcome

   to one if you were not at the Ash Wednesday

   service.

Lent is a time of reflection and intentional decisionmaking

   about either refraining from an excess or

   beginning to do something for someone else

      which will, in the end, bless you more than them.

Lent is a time of prayer and devotion, Bible reading,

   self-examination, personal reflection and worship.

   Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities that

      are before you to grow spiritually this Lenten season.

 

We launch a new website on Sunday.

   Jeff Miller is our webmaster and has given

      hundreds of hours to prepare

      what is a well-researched, thoughtfully

      produced and very helpful tool for the church.

The web opens us to the world. How amazing is it

   to imagine that anyone in the WORLD,

   with a computer, can find out about our church.

I have heard younger people say, "When I go to a new

   town, the only place I look for a church

   is on the internet. A church not on the internet

   does not exist to me."

Let's come ready to thank Jeff for his extraordinary work

   and access firstchristianchurchparis.org.

 

We honor John Beaton and Ken's New Market on Sunday

   for providing tons of food for us to distribute

   over the past 8 years.

This has been a truly extraordinary ministry

   which has blessed this community in substantial ways.

Of course, Frances Feeback has been behind this daily

   food distribution to hundreds of Bourbon County

   residents.

What a day Sunday will be! Be sure and be there.

 

Moving to the deeper places,

Jeff