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
we the Ash Wednesday service
will have been held.
The ashes imposed on the forhead
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