As a twenty-year-old student pastor, I was serving Pleasant Plains Baptist Church in Clayton, Alabama. (Southern Baptists don't require a college or seminary education.) Living eighty miles from the church, I received a call informing me that one of our members had accidentally shot himself while climbing through a fence with a shotgun. He was pursuing wild animals who were eating his chickens.

Of course, I did what pastors do. I immediately left home to be with the new widow. She was a school teacher and highly regarded in the community. I arrived at the rural home only an hour and a half after being informed. The lawn was filled with cars from neighbors, church members, and fellow school teachers. Making my way into the house, I chose a seat next to the grieving widow.

People passed by offering their standard condolences. "I'm so sorry." "If there's anything I can do." "He's in a better place." All of the statements were well intended and meant to be helpful. Could those words have been chosen out of the perceived need to say something but not really knowing what to say? But there was one woman, a fellow school teacher, who had this advice. "Honey, when you think of him, just remember all the bad things he did or said." I was nearly blown out of my seat. Did her friend actually believe that would help? Was the friend speaking from experience about some loss of her own? Suppose injury and anger regarding some former infraction really help someone in the pain of such a great loss?

The Book of Proverbs says: "Words fitly spoken are like apples of gold in settings of silver." Indeed there is a time for words fitly spoken, yet when we are speaking out of our own anxiety or quickly offering unexamined words, that's a good time to keep our mouths shut. A quiet presence next to a grieving friend has a consoling language of its own. If you doubt that, check out how Job felt about all the advice friends gave him. Here's a reply to one of his friends: "So how can you console me with your nonsense?" (Proverbs 21:14).

Lots of happy feet and hands and smiling faces left the sanctuary on Sunday! Bluegrass Sunday is always a relief in the midst of such hot weather. I hope we can claim a tiny bit of responsibility for the cooler weather – not 95-100 degrees, but 80-90, which is much cooler! Thanks to all our players! They will be back on October 30 for Fall Festival playing favorites. Y’all come! 

The choir is now back in session. They had their first practice on Wednesday night and are just about ready for the next few Sundays. If you missed it, come next week at 6:45 to practice. This Sunday, we will sing our Introit, Come Into God’s Presence, with the choir! The congregation has done well singing this one in a round. With the choir in the loft to help, we should really be able to make a joyful noise. Our anthem will be “In This Very Room” by Ron and Carol Harris. The following week, the choir will sing “In Communion” by Ruth Elaine Schram. 

Everything “Kicks Off” next week! The Youth will have a kickoff, so Youth Ensemble won’t meet until September 8th. KidZ Crew “Kicks off” on Wednesday, August 28 at 4:00 pm. Make sure you register so there will be space for your child.  

It's a beautiful day when babies are born to members of our church. In the past it has been our custom to put a single red rose next to the flowers in the chancel area on a Sunday shortly after the birth of the baby. We haven't done this for a while unless the family specifically asked. After reviewing this custom with the Worship & Music Committee and other committees, we will come up with a plan to return to rose placement. If you are interested in being called upon to get a rose and deliver it to the church before the Sunday that it will be displayed, then deliver it to the family after church, we would love to hear from you. It's a small act of service that two people could share. Once all the details are ironed out, a guide to this service can be given to those interested. 

Another Service Opportunity - We need someone (or a couple of people) to repair, wash, and straighten out the acolyte robes as needed. There would be one time at the beginning of the school year that Frieda or Rhonda would need you at the church. The robes will need to be fitted to the child(ren) and assigned. This would probably happen on a Sunday afternoon during acolyte training. For those who wish to be silent servants, this task is for you! For volunteering for either of these opportunities, please contact Rhonda, Frieda, or the church office. 

Love & Gratitude, 

Rhonda.  

Sunday, August 25

9:00 am Sunday School Open House - Social Hall

10:00 am Worship Service - Sanctuary

6:00 pm Youth Group Youth Suite

Monday, August 26

3:00 pm Salvation Army Cooking - Kitchen

6:30 pm Al-Anon Meeting - John Law

Tuesday, August 27

7:00 am Youth Chick-fil-A Breakfast - SSI Chick-fil-A

9:30 am Staff Meeting - Upper Room

8:00 pm Codependents Anon - John Law

Wednesday, August 28

4:00 pm KidZ Crew - Veranda

5:00 pm Chancel Ringers - Bell Room

6:45 pm Chancel Choir - Sanctuary

Thursday, August 29

No Activities Planned for This Day



Friday, August 30

No Activities Planned for This Day