Note: I know some in the church have signed up for a Thursday evening edition of the Discovering God class, but we would need others from beyond the church to sign up to have enough for a class. We will see what response I get.

Discovering God Class

What a good discussion we had last week!
This week, we meet Mrs. Schwartz. This will challenge us.
Class at 9:45. Breakfast after.

Breakfast this Sunday

This is a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help!
Breakfast is at 10:30. (Great breakfast last week!)

Last Sunday and This

I loved the music we sang last Sunday. And Julian’s solo was phenomenal.
(Shannon has also sung a moving version of Above All for us.)
Mary may preach this Sunday.
And three of our children will be baptized.

Monday Was Recovery

My sister and I went with a friend to see The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on their final tour last Friday.
Why final tour? They—and their fans like me—are old.
They were great, and the concert venue in Grand Prairie is a fine place for music, but it is not user-friendly for anyone with bad knees. Painful! Getting in and out.
I was still getting around more poorly than usual last Sunday.
Doing better by late Monday.

In spite of my wobble, Sunday was a wonderful day.
I am only saddened for our folks who are ill.

Please pray for Dewayne and Sheila Taylor’s daughter-in-law, who is facing cancer.
May God’s love surround and uphold this family.

John Reynolds, long-time member—elderly and infirm—is in recovery. He is a little improved.
Carol Bennett’s brother remains in our prayers.

Love to all of you.
See you Sunday.
God bless — MB

Peace and love in the name of Jesus Christ to you, God’s beloved children!

I’m home from Arizona and so thankful for the time I spent with my grandmother. I must make a correction—she isn’t 98 as I had shared—she’ll be 99 years old on September 15th! Her mind is still sharp, and her spirit is strong. Though she faces some age-related challenges like arthritis, she remains healthy, happy, and deeply faithful. Like many at her stage of life, she finds herself asking the question Keith has also voiced: “How much longer, Lord?”

It’s a question that speaks to something deep within us—a longing for heaven. As we grow older, many of us begin to miss the promise of eternity and look forward to that day when we shall see God face to face. The apostle Paul expresses this so beautifully in 2 Corinthians 5, where he writes about our earthly lives being like a tent, while in heaven we have a “permanent house, made not by man, but by God.” Paul goes on to say that in “this present frame, we sigh with deep longing for the heavenly house.”

Do you feel that longing too? If you do, I would love to hear your thoughts. Let’s talk about it sometime.

We continue to lift up our beloved members who are unable to attend church in person. The joy and light that we experience when gathered in fellowship is something we should pray God shares with each of them in abundance. I’d also like us to begin thinking about a visitation and card-writing ministry soon. Reaching out to others with love and encouragement can make all the difference.

Love and blessings to all,
Mary

P.S. I just spoke with Joyce Mitchell, and she shared that Dan is not doing well. Please join me in praying for them both. Lord, hear our prayer.