We are not here for ourselves

We are knee deep in VBS with 65 enthusiastic children and a good host of adult and youth leaders. Children are crying because they don't want to go home at noon! One boy was going to miss today so he could celebrate his birthday with family and friends, but yesterday, asked his mom if he could cancel the birthday celebration and come to Bible School. Wow! Our crew of adults and youth have not only made this a fun time for the children but also a spiritual time. Monday's lesson was "Don't be afraid, God is with us." Do you remember Monday night with all the thunder and lightening? One mom reported that her youngest child reassured the family "Don't be afraid, God is with us!" How about that!!

Daily, visitors are talking with me about St. Martin's. Pray that those who do not have a church home will "come and see."

Last Sunday, we had 5 new families visit us at the 11:00am service. Many of you made them feel welcome and introduced them to me (remember, that is our protocol here!). Visit with your friends here, but keep a close and watchful eye for those coming through the front door who appear to be visitors. Introduce yourselves to them, then them to me. This is our hallmark here at St. Martin's....and it takes everyone to notice.

THIS SUNDAY WE BEGIN 2 MONTHS OF JUST ONE SERVICE @ 9:30 AM. We know in advance this will reduce the number of visitors we get, but it will be good to combine the two services for a short while for more energy and fellowship. But always remember, we are not here for ourselves. The church is the only organization that exists for those who are not yet here.

This is a great time to invite unchurched friends, or better yet, bring unchurched friends to hear the Gospel.

My family and I will begin our annual vacation after the service and Sunday School this coming Sunday. We will be away for two weeks. (San Francisco, the wine and gold country of California, then on to Holden Village in Washington for a week).

Two of our trained and certified preachers will bring the message while I am away.

Irvin Smith will preach on the 12th, and Chris O'Sullivan will preach on the 19th.

If you need emergency Pastoral care during this time, call Stephanie in the office and she will contact either Pastor Morrell (retired) or Pastor Albertson (Peace, Rosenberg) to assist you. For the week at Holden, I will be out of touch with the known world (no landlines, cell towers, TV or radio--which is the point!).

Continue to support generously our church not only in finances, but also in your time and talent. We have incurred unexpected expenses because of theft, graffiti, and having to spend on additional security measures...etc.

Continue to bring your Bibles to church; more and more of you are doing this, marking them up during the message, and taking notes. Lutherans hold the scriptures and the study of scriptures in highest esteem....we just haven't been in the practice of using them during worship....slowly that is changing.

Be sure you get your rest, I will get mine!

Blessings

Pastor Kelly