The Pastor is spending time at Shetek Lutheran Ministries this week so posts may be few. I will be back in action this weekend.
God bless and keep the faith. Someone needs the hope that is in you through Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Pastor -|—
Shetek Lutheran Ministries
The week in review
<Deep breath>
I have been trying to stop and to that from time to time…stop and take a breath…but it has been tough this week. Here’s my week in review:
Monday: Relaxing day with a hint of stress and anxiety over what was coming up during the week.
Tuesday: A do-to list that looked a mile long. I would check one thing off and add two others (one step forward and two back…all day). But in the end I did get all the Tuesday items checked off plus 3 for later in the week (a minor victory).
Wednesday: A day that was a little more low-keyed (since I got so much done on Tuesday). Ministerial meeting, out-of-town hospital visit, and council meeting. All the while overseeing the new patio that is going in at the parsonage next door.
Thursday (today): Plan two worship services for Salem’s 125th anniversary weekend, sermon prep, parents coming through to have lunch with me (I can hardly wait), and an out of town Shetek Lutheran Ministries board meeting this afternoon/tonight. And sometime today I need to get to a building supply store to buy some retaining block for the patio landscaping. This should be an interesting day.
Friday: This is supposed to be my day off but I got a feeling it might not be. At the very least I will sleep in, but beyond that…who knows. It all depends on today.
Saturday – Sunday: Salem Lutheran Church’s 125th anniversary celebration. If you hear from me next week it means I survived the weekend. I am looking forward to the celebration but part of me will be glad when Monday arrives.
Now that you know my calendar for the week I what to share something with you that was written on my Facebook site the other day by a friend and reader of this blog. He wrote: “Live within the limits of the day. God is also the Lord of the undone.” Thank you, Patrick, this has been helpful this week.
God bless all of you and take care!
-edh-
VBS
VBS (Vacation Bible School) is almost upon us here at Salem Lutheran Church. Our coordinator has been hard at work for a few weeks now. It is fun to see her excitement and energy as July 20 fast approaches. And if you want evidence of Emily’s excitement just walk through the lower level of Salem and see the decorations…it looks like a swamp…very fun. Right now we have 30 pre-school kids registered with more expected to just show up on Monday morning. I am in charge of the Bible story each day which I am looking forward to with much excitement.
In the afternoons we have a VBS style program (or daycamp) going on for our K – 6 graders with Shetek Lutheran Ministries. Salem is hosting the pre-school VBS and our ELCA neighbors down the street is hosting the daycamp program. Daycamp has about 55 kids registered. All in all it is going to be a fun week.
My dream and goal for next year is to get most if not all the churches together in Jackson to put on a VBS program together. There is so much we can do if we combine our resources, gifts and talents together without having to re-create the wheel (which we seem to be doing this year). Salem, Our Savior’s and Belmont Lutheran Churches are together this year but I envision a much greater ecumenical partnership in 2010.
So here’s to VBS: lots of energetic pre-schoolers…cool aid…games outside…crafts…singing…Bible stories…and hopefully some seeds planted. Thank you to our volunteers, parents, and congregations for your support, time and committment.
So here’s to VBS and the Holy Spirit working in the lives of our kids.
Praise be to God!
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 