Last week, we talked about the three visitors who came to Abraham’s tent and promised that Abraham, who was 99, and Sarah, who was 90, would have a son. True to God’s promise, they had a son named Isaac, which means “He Laughs.” Later, Isaac had a son named Jacob.

When we meet Jacob, he’s on the run. Jacob had tricked his father into giving him his older brother Esau’s birthright, and now Esau wants to kill him for it. So Jacob flees. After a long journey, he stops to rest, and while he’s asleep, God appears to him in a dream. In the dream, God promises Jacob land, many descendants, and His protection, just as He did for Abraham. God also promises to be with Jacob always. God keeps His promises and is always present with us.

We look forward to seeing you in church this Sunday to talk more about God’s promises!

It may sound early, but we’re already preparing a Christmas program for the kids. During church, they’ll present the program, and if we’re lucky, St. Nick himself will join us after lunch! Parents, please let Miss Vickie or me know if your little ones will be part of the program, so we can make sure Santa has enough stockings filled with goodies for each child.

Blessings…

The Class—Discovering God

We had one of the most interesting classes we have ever had last week—and we are only getting started.

We are studying the deepest and most meaningful experiences of our lives—every Sunday.

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “We-Bring Sunday.” I will be there with my pigs-in-blankets. You help me. Bring something good. I’m hungry.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

I’ll make this short and—well, it may or may not be sweet. Jason needs this copy immediately. He is out of town and will have trouble getting this newsletter out.

This Sunday—less excited than last week.

The sermon will be called “Joy.”

Kristi will be out—so no choir.

Blake will be doing double duty—which means playing piano and singing—or Shannon or Julian will sing. Whoever it is, it will be beautiful.

Keep our sick folk in your prayers.

Love to all of you. And—

God Bless,

MB

MEETING: PPR Committee—again, for a few minutes after church to finalize forms. Thanks.

Greetings, beloved Church and Church friends,

I wish you peace and love in the name of the risen Christ. I was blessed this week to spend time at a grief summit. Several clergy members and I gathered together on Monday with a grief coach at Keller United Methodist Church. We spent three hours talking about grief. The discussions included the impact of losing church members, the impact of disaffiliations, and the difficulty of allowing space for our own grief while acknowledging the grief of the rest of the world. It was an amazing and uplifting encounter with God on Monday. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been there.

I want to say thanks to everyone who brought Halloween candy for the Trunk or Treat at the elementary school. We got lots of good candy, and hopefully, those kiddos will have a great time next week at their event.

I also want to say a special thank you to Brian McCosky for two reasons. First of all, Brian has pretty much single-handedly managed the issues we are having with our HVAC equipment. This has taken a lot of his time, including his entire birthday back in September. Secondly, I want to thank Brian for bringing brats and hotdogs back from Wisconsin. In the midst of juggling my responsibilities, I failed to set a date with Brian for a church picnic. Thankfully, Brian is part of a veterans’ organization and will be able to use the imported meats for an event with local veterans. I apologize to you all that we will miss out on the high-quality products that Brian brings back from Wisconsin. That said, we still need a church picnic. Apparently, the weather is going to cooperate until at least the middle of November. We will be having a church picnic on November 3, 2024, immediately following the service. The temperature that day is forecasted to be 75° with a minimal chance of rain. I will have a sign-up sheet this Sunday for those who wish to bring food for the picnic. We will invite the neighborhood via our sign out in front of the building and through this newsletter article. Please join us on November 3 for breakfast at 10:30, church at 11, and a picnic on the grounds beginning at 12:30.

Thank you for your continued love and patience with me as I pursue ordination in the United Methodist Church. I have been away from school for a while now, and I’m not sure I remember everything I need to. I have to study extra to remind myself of all the things I’ve forgotten.

My love to you all,
Mary

This Sunday, we talked about the amazing journey of Abraham and Sarah. God promised them that their family would grow into a great nation, even though they had no children. It had been 24 years since they left their home in Haran, and by now Abraham and Sarah were very old—almost 100 years old! Abraham must have wondered how God would keep His promise.

One day, three visitors came to Abraham’s tent, and he welcomed them kindly. What Abraham didn’t know was that these men were actually messengers from God. During their visit, they told Abraham something unbelievable: that he and Sarah would soon have a son. Sarah, listening from inside the tent, couldn’t help but laugh. After all, she was 99 years old!

But sure enough, just as God promised, Sarah had a baby boy, and they named him Isaac, which means “he laughs.” Isaac was a reminder of God’s promise and faithfulness. Even though it seemed impossible, God gave Abraham and Sarah a family, and through them, God built a great nation. This story shows that with God, anything is possible, and His love and promises are always true.

The Class—Discovering God

Has God ever spoken to you?

Can God speak to us?

That’s what we will be discussing in class this Sunday.

(Remember our home-thought-work for the week: What does that experience I shared with you at the end of the class tell us about God? You can make a list, if you wish. We will make one Sunday.)

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is a “Winston Sunday.” Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

This Sunday

That was a barn stomper from the choir last week, wasn’t it! This week, they will sing a setting of Psalm 100. Should be lovely.

The sermon this Sunday grows out of the realization that my preaching requires people to wrestle with things they have been taught all their lives. The sermon is: The Rock We Stand On.

Let’s see how many people we can get to church this Sunday. Put everything else off.

This week—this Sunday—make worship your priority. Just do it. See what happens.

Come—as we lift the name of Jesus.

God Bless,
MB

MEETING: PPR Committee—for 30 minutes after church this Sunday to fill out forms for the Conference—required by Nov. 1.