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Dear Enthusiastic Followers of Jesus Christ, the Lord of All,
Deep breaths . . . Sunshine . . . Music . . . Love of family . . . Fellowship with God . . . Just five things to celebrate this week. Let’s add a sixth: air conditioning.
I have nothing but good news for you today.
I have to say I like black and white of our parking lot and driveways,better than the old shades of gray. Thanks to our diligent workers and to Rusty’s lifelong friend who sealed and striped all our paved areas. If you need any blacktop work done, we have a good recommendation for you.
James and Pauline have returned from North Carolina after good family time and a celebration of James’ birthday.
NO WORKDAY THIS WEEK! There has been a delay in the delivery of the pew fabric, so we will take advantage of the time and take this Saturday off. Stay tuned for a new announcement to work on spacing the pews.
Dave Thompson is not only back at church after surgery, but making plans for our fall discipleship. Dave’s orders: everyone join us for the Sunday School hour. Toddy Holeman teaches the next two Sundays on how to deal with difficult people, something we all need. Then we will have several weeks of challenges from film and Scripture. As Dave shared what he has in mind, I was thrilled. The more we talked the more weeks we added. That series will go from mid August through September.
Remember to join us for Irene Crouch’s 80th birthday celebration this Saturday at 2:00. The word I heard is to come without gifts, a card or just your presence will be greatly appreciated.
Keep three of your sisters especially in prayer this week. Missy Anderson continues to rehab after knee replacement. She has good and not-so-good days. She reports that her husband Steve is taking excellent care of her and helping her improve. Cherry Carter is still trying to get her equilibrium back and is having trouble getting to the source of what has been ailing her. Also, Cara Parsons has been struggling with back pain. Our God loves these ladies and invites us to participate in their blessing through our prayers.
Dear Friends,
First things first: Be praying for Matthew McRoberts today. He is taking a medical boards exam throughout the day in Louisville. “Lord, Help the man think clearly, answer wisely, maintain strength, know your presence . . .”
Last night we wrapped up our leadership retreat. We had another good group at our home for dinner and conversation. It was too rushed and I really wish we had more time for generating ministry goals and priorities, so much of that will take place at other conversations and meetings in the next few weeks. Even so, thanks to all who participated. We had joy in being together.
I want to give you a property update. The church board voted last night to restructure our small mortgage and borrow an additional $17,000 that will be immediately put toward four property projects. This will add approximately $60 per month to our payment to the Wesleyan Investment Foundation. We anticipate investing these funds and a lot of labor in the following ways, and complete them during July and August:
1. $7,000 to repair the AC system for the SS wing.
2. $2,600 for upholstering and spacing pews.
3. $2,400 to add to designated funds to top and stripe the driveways and parking lot.
4. $5,000 to add to designated funds for warming the front of the property with new signage and landscaping.
In addition to the borrowed funds, we hope to raise special contributions. The parking lot project will actually cost slightly more than $3,000.
Our desire is that we can get the property in good shape so that the current hindrances to welcoming people are gone and so that when the fall begins we can focus on embracing people and not pushing property projects.
Let me remind you that we have a great table set during the Sunday School hour. This week, Dave Thompson will answer how the Bible has been put together—was it a DaVinci code or something else? July 4th starts a 3-week series on financial independence, “The Best of Dave Ramsey.”
Finally, this Sunday Matt and Brianne Liddick will lead worship as they and Joe and Karen Wells celebrate their last Sunday with us and we send them out as gospel missionaries to New York and Pennsylvania.
So, my friends, you are up to date, surrounded by the love of God, and endowed with power and purpose. Keep enjoying God’s call to love one another and labor for the kingdom!
Blessings in the Battle!
Late in the evening, I looked around the room and thought, "Any church planter would be thrilled to be starting a church with the 18 people in this room. And we are blessed to also have many others who are not here and a building to meet in."
We began the night with grilled burgers and all the trimmings, then had devotions and worship. We got to know each other better, including learning that we have more introverts than extroverts, but look where those introverts were and what they were doing! There they were, putting themselves "out there" because it was a safe group and because they want to set their natural preferences aside for the glory of God and the good of others.
We did some out-loud dreaming and had good discussion on the 5 dysfunctions that most teams fall into and how to avoid those pitfalls.
Conclusions: First, we are blessed with a Great God, great people, a great calling and opportunity. Second, we need to be intentional about building a community of trust that allows for healthy conflict, establish wise goals we can commit to specific actions and then hold each other accountable to our participation, and we need to care more about our collective ministry than just enjoying our various corners of concern.
And two more things--Everyone loved the chocolate cake and strawberries that brought the evening to a sweet conclusion . . . and . . . we are looking forward to next Tuesday when we gather again.
Dear SWC Family,
I want to give you a bit of a personal update and then some church news.
Last week I had a vacation—of sorts. Most of the week was dedicated to home repairs. I refinished our wood floor entry, replaced the shower door I broke last month, power-washed the front porch, sidewalk and driveway, installed carpet on the back porch, sealed roof vents, planted some roses, and a couple start a few other projects. Big thanks to Jim Moore for repairing my power washer and to my brother Mike and son Steve for helping in some of the jobs, though none of us confess to our wives regarding who actually climbed on the steep roof for that repair. It’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” thing.
Last weekend was a milestone event as I walked across the platform at Asbury to receive recognition for completing my Ph.D. Though I had defended my dissertation a month ago, the graduation dinner and ceremony provided a joyful closure to the five-year venture. It was great to have family and friends here to celebrate with me, and to receive a gift and “three cheers” from the church family on Sunday, along with a cake to share. This has truly been a community task, with encouragement from many people and with my family, particularly Paula, making a number of sacrifices along the way. Thank you!
Our house is close to being up for sale. Our equity is about the same as the debt we have accumulated over the last five years, so we are looking at a fresh start. Let me know if you are looking to buy, or if you have a place we can rent at the close of escrow.
In other news:
• Irene Crouch is recovering well from her surgery at home.
• Karen and Joe Wells and Devon are enjoying being home and waking at interesting times, day and night.
• Matt and Bri Liddick have returned from candidating at a church in north-western New York. They will be leading worship for us, this Sunday.
• Sunday, I will return to the series in Luke titled, “Oh, To Be Like Jesus.” The sermon is “The Healing You Really Want.” Be ready to think and receive a challenge regarding overcoming the enemy of our souls.
I love you and pray for God’s protection and power in your life.
I am a hypocrite. I fall short of my self-expectations and my hopes on a regular basis. I claim to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, yet perform in utterly human ways. But, hold on. I believe I am becoming more like Jesus. Slowly. Step by step. Sometimes haltingly, yet steadily. And I find that the more I am in prayer and the Bible—the old standbys—the more spiritual maturity I display. Be patient with me, but not complacent. Encourage me onward. And I will do the same for you.
Let’s learn together what it meant for Jesus, and what it means for us to say, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me” (Luke 4:18). Don’t you think the implications for such a statement should be huge?
I am excited about preaching from this passage this Sunday, under the title, “The Freedom You Really Want.” The series will continue later in the month with “The Healing You Really Want” and “The Wholeness You Really Want.” All part of the series in Luke, “Oh, To Be Like Jesus!” Get in on the good stuff!
Some family stuff:
Thanks to Pastor Phil Perkins for devoting Tuesday to draining Lake Stonewall, sometimes known as a basement, and getting it dried out.
Thanks to James Moore and his healing hands. All he did was lay hands on the lawn tractor and it came back to life. And, thanks to Bill Croto who spent hours working on it before James touched it.
A special thanks to all you mothers out there! Mother’s Day is this Sunday. We will celebrate you at SWC.
I hope you have put May 16th, after worship, on your calendar. Stay for food and our annual church conference. I really will be interesting, interactive and inspirational.
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finding swc
stonewall wesleyan church
3353 Clays Mill Road
Lexington, KY 40503
859.223.3940
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