It is hard to believe that we are entering the month of September. As I grow older it seems that the summers are getting shorter but more intense, and that we make the most of the time when the days are longer. We keep busy schedules in the summer months and so I give thanks and I am grateful for the time you have chosen to share with UMCE in the past few weeks.

 

I give thanks for your faithfulness in coming to worship on Sundays, especially with our trying a new worship time this summer. I praise God and give thanks for all those who shared of their time to make our Vacation Bible School a success. I am thankful to those of you who served and worked long hours on the Building Committee. I am thankful to those of you who worked so hard on our Capital Campaign raising over $132,000 in these hard economic times. I am thankful for how you have made UMCE an important part of your life.

 

I am thankful for the Red Shirts who have mowed the lawns, clean the church, and changed the light bulbs making sure UMCE is clean and ready for worship each week. I am thankful for your Christian witness to Loaves and Fishes on a monthly basis and to those of you who travelled to Salem Economic Ministry on a mission trip. I am thankful to those of you who showed up on a Saturday to wash cars free of charge and to Share God’s Grace with those who came to have their car washed. Praise God-46 cars washed and fellowship shared as well.

 

I am thankful for our organist who practices the music to be shared in worship. I am thankful for our choir, who will be returning shortly, who share their voices and love of Christ through music with us. I am thankful for our Sunday School teachers who teach our children at Sunday school. I am thankful for our secretary who keeps the office running smoothly and who is not afraid to venture into the unknown to make our monthly newsletter one that is published online. By doing this we will be responsible stewards of God’s creation.

 

It doesn’t matter whether it is summer, fall, winter, or spring you recognize the importance of the work of the church as a place of fellowship, learning, worship, and community service. You also recognize that it is a yearlong endeavor to be Disciples of Christ. Thank you for sharing your time and your selves.

 

In the coming months UMCE will be venturing into uncharted territory as we seek new ways we can use our time to serve God to the best of our ability. We will search for new ways to involve our 20, 30, and 40 year olds in the life of our church family and the life of UMCE in their lives. We will be asking for your thoughts and ideas for new mission ideas in our local community and then decide how best to proceed to accomplish these opportunities as a church family and the church of Jesus Christ.

 

So stay tuned, God is about to do new and exciting things here at UMCE. I for one am excited for what the future holds for us. 

 

Love,