Celebrating Two Homecomings

Mary Lou Kuklentz and Rev. Ward Misenheimer at the altar
during the Ordination Service at Advent Lutheran

WHERE I WENT AND WHY

 This weekend I returned to my home church, Advent Lutheran, for two special celebrations:  the Ordination of Meghan Large Richter and the Celebration of Life Service for Glenn Kelly  (See previous post: "Returning Home to Grieve" ).

 WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Advent Lutheran is across the street from the tennis courts at UNCC on University City Blvd. or Highway 49.  The Ordination is a special event in a Lutheran Church and most folks came in their Sunday best, though it was Friday night.   Many folks honored the occasion by wearing red, the color for the Holy Spirit, and the paraments for the service.  Glenn's Celebration of Life Service was church casual, and to honor Glenn,  the men in the church (and many women) wore pink.  Glenn was known as a classy dresser and often said, "real men wear pink!"

 REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood at both services, both Friday night and Saturday morning was one of celebration. 

In the Lutheran Church, the service of  Ordination is a High, Holy event.  And to have a daughter of your congregation (who I had in the nursery and Sunday School 30 years ago!), become ordained is truly special.  In order to become an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church, one must complete a Doctor of Divinity degree (4 years of study after a BA or BS), and complete a one year internship.  Then the candidate has to be called to serve in a congregation.  Our Bishop, The Rev. Dr. Tim Smith, came and gave the message and at least another dozen clergy participated in the Ordination.  Her future church, Living Savior Lutheran in Southern Pines sent a bus load of members!

After the Ordination I was talking with the music director and Meghan's mom, Diane, and I loved it when Diane gently corrected the music director 3 times as she referred to Glenn's "funeral" the next day.  "No," she continued to repeat, "It is a Celebration of Life".  Having sat many hours at the hospital with Glenn's wife Pat, as his life came to an end, I knew that she purposely delayed Glenn's Celebration to give the family a chance to recover from their raw feelings of grief, so that we could truly come together and celebrate Glenn's life.

MUSIC

Meghan's service of Ordination included 8 hymns, personally chosen by her, plus a prelude and anthem performed by a pianist and cellist.  These truly reflected her Call to serve God as an ordained minister in the Lutheran Church.  Almost every one of the hymns was one of my favorites!  This verse of The Summons truly spoke to me and to Meghan's Call:

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

During Communion we sang "Be Thou My Vision, Lord" and "You are Mine" both calm reflections of Meghan and her Call.  The refrain in "You are Mine" never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home

I love you and you are mine 

Glenn and I had many discussions about church music.  The music Pat and his sons chose for his Celebration reflected his life and beliefs.    From the celebratory gathering of "Soon and Very Soon" (I am going to meet the Lord) done with his favorite jazzy accompaniment to the sending hymn of the contemporary version of "Amazing Grace"  everyone sang and smiled (sometimes through tears) as we thought of Glenn.  During Communion we sang "Here I Am, Lord" based on the story of Samuel and Eli, one of my absolute favorites. As a former church choir member, I'm sure he was smiling and singing along.

I have enjoyed tremendously exploring different music in the 40 churches I've visited so far, especially the African American Gospel music, but for these two celebrations, it felt good to use the "Red Book" and come home to familiar hymns.

MESSAGES

Bishop Smith used the puppet Rafiki from the Lion King in his Ordination sermon based on John 15: 1-7, ("I am the vine, you are the branches") also chosen by Meghan.  As Rafiki helps Simba see his father in himself, so Jesus calls Meghan to continue His work in this time and in this place.  He cautioned her to remember that though she will lead several congregations, to always remember that she is the branch connected to Jesus, the vine (and not the other way around!).  Branches bear the fruit, but also need pruning regularly to keep them in their place and to support and be supported by the Vine, an awesome Call and responsibility.  He ended his poignant message at the Baptism fount and in his best Rafiki voice called Meghan up to look in the water and see her reflection as a Child of God.

Keith Wassum

The message at Glenn's Celebration of Life also came from John.  John 14 1-6  (Do not let your hearts be troubled, I go to prepare a place for you....) Pastor Ward's sermon was wonderful, and he suggested that the room Jesus is reserving for Glenn is in the wine cellar where Glenn will continue to teach us about good wine and how to love the Lord.  

Before the sermon, our friend Keith Wassum, Steve Nagy (a co-worker and former neighbor of Glenn's), and Patrick (Glenn's son) gave touching and often funny remembrances of Glenn.  What came through was Glenn's steady hand, his love of life (and good wine!), and his reflection of God's Love through his equal acceptance and love for CEO's and guests at Room in the Inn.  We celebrated Glenn's ability to be totally present in the moment and to love people with a quiet understanding of their needs and delights.

Steve explaining Glenn's care with designing pans!

Patrick represented the family and spoke about
how Glenn was not only his mentor, but a quiet
mentor to many of his friends.

OBSERVATIONS

Meghan receives her red stole,
 a gift from the congregation

A row of Clergy, including our friend, Dick Little

Meghan and our friend, Leo Peeler
His Seminarian Fund has helped 
16 sons and daughters of
our congregation 

Patrick, Forest, and several men of the congregation  cooked
BBQ to use at Glenn's Celebration.  David said he helped...
by mostly drinking good beer and regaling stories of Glenn!

Glenn played French horn in the brass band at Calvary Moravian Church
when they lived in Winston Salem. 
A band from Peace and New Beginnings Moravian Churches
honored Glenn by playing as folks entered the church.

Pink shirts and ties to honor Glenn
Keith, Dick, Dan and Dave:  Glenn's Winos!!
(Or the Spirits based, Spiritual group!)

Glenn was also loved by our children
Clay and Emily with Allie Wassum at the reception.
I especially enjoyed being in church with them and feeling their support.

#40 The Most Holy Day of the Year

TO MY REGULAR READERS... I POSTED 2 CHURCHES THIS WEEK (#'S 39 AND 40!)... THE ONE FOR GOOD FRIDAY, FOLLOWS THIS ONE.

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
On this Holiest day in the Christian church year, I decided to join my neighbors and members of 6 churches in Romare Bearden Park for a community Sunrise service.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
This community service is a tradition in the city and is now hosted in one of our newest parks.  At 6:30 am parking is not a problem in uptown and dress was dressy to church casual.  The main requirement was shaking the "sleepys" off and getting there for sunrise.
Coffee did the trick.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was a little sleepy, but joyous and welcoming.  The diversity of the churches represented and the neighbors who gathered was heartwarming.  I wondered if we could be heard in the adjoining apartments and thought what a positive witness it was to see about 200 neighbors gather at dawn to rejoice at Easter.

MUSIC

The music was lead by a small choir representing the six churches.  A keyboardist from St. Luke's Missionary Baptist was excellent.  

MESSAGE

Rev. Pen Peery (1st Presbyterian), Rev, John Cleghorn (Caldwell Presbyterian), Rev Dennis Foust (St. John's Baptist), Rev. James Thomas (Grier Heights Presbyterian), Rev. Joe Clifford (Myers Park Presbyterian, and Rev. Clifford Matthews (St. Like's Missionary Baptist)

Rev. John Cleghorn (see blog #2) of Caldwell Presbyterian set the tone for peace, social justice and diversity by welcoming us to the service before the familiar reading from John.  He recognized that our city was not at peace in September but that we are learning to come together with authenticity.

Dr. Dennis Foust of St. John's Baptist church gave the main message and framed it, as does  the Gospel of John, in terms of darkness and light.  These have been symbols of the oral tradition for ages, and are mentioned in the Bible 73 times, 33 of them in the Gospel of John.  New light begins in the darkness of the tomb and in our personal trials, but emerges into the world with faith, hope and grace.  He told 2 stories.  One of Barbara Taylor being invited to accompany some folks into a cave in West Virginia where she "let dark happen" and realized how dark the cave/tomb of Jesus was.  In the other story a pastor lost his young daughter to leukemia and told his congregation that now he has both darkness and light in him.  We are all learners (disciples), learning how light renews us every day.  Easter he proclaimed is a Holy Day....not a holiday.

Rev. Clifford Matthews of St. Luke's Missionary Baptist asked in his prayer that we be made "Easter people" and that our walk be worthy and impact the world for good.

Rev. Dr. James Thomas of Grier Heights Presbyterian Church continued the social justice theme of Rev. Matthews and Rev. Cleghorn by adding to the traditional benediction a call for Christ to lead us, walk beside us and push us from behind to bring the Easter message of renewal to the world and to work for peace, mercy and justice.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• The outreach was our witness to the community by being in the park at 6:30 and by joining with diverse congregations to celebrate Easter.
• When you arrive a little late (but before the service began!), you are relegated to the front row!  The hard part about that was, we didn't know when those behind us were standing and were a "beat late" several times!!  
• It was nice to reintroduce myself to several of the pastors I had visited (Pen Peery and John Cleghorn).  I laughed with them and asked if I could count this as 6 churches!
• I'm not sure where or how I will "land" after this project but I know that I won't abandon it.  I think I would like to continue visiting different churches after this year, perhaps on a monthly (not weekly!)  basis.  This is "church" #40 and I have at least 15 more churches on my "list"!!!

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

My friend Rev. Nancy Kraft posted this video by John Crist of a pastor preparing for Easter on Facebook.  It is hilarious!!

www.facebook.com/johnbcrist/videos/1048596308608781/ 

#39 Good Friday through the Eyes of Great Artists

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Good Friday is a very Holy Day in Christian belief, and I sought out a service.  Avondale Presbyterian Church had one at noon.   I had been there before, but only to the child care center as a consultant.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Avondale Presbyterian  is the pretty white church on the hill where Park Road meets Kenilworth.  Parking at noon was not a problem and dress was church casual.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

The mood was very friendly for such a somber service.  Several people introduced themselves and asked my name.  I saw an "old friend" from the child care center and the Pastor directed me from the breezeway to the Sanctuary.

MUSIC

There was no music as this midday service, but it was based on great pieces of art which were projected on a screen in the chancel.

MESSAGE

Liturgical art has been around since the early Christians drew fish in the sand to identify each other, but I have encountered more use of it this year than ever before in my visit to 50 churches.  My first encounter was the nature artist at the Universalist Church, and then the painter painting the Lenten sermons in Leesburg Virginia. Dr. John Earl used great art spanning from 1470 to a striking contemporary painting of Jesus to help us contemplate the last Seven Words of Christ.  After each reading a moment of silence was observed for us to contemplate the art and our own prayers followed by a special Passion Prayer.  I was able to find all but one of the works of art on the internet.  He ended the service with a letter by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross written for Good Friday.

#1  Farther, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing (Luke 23:24).  In this prayer, he asked that we emulate Christ's humility and choose love over evil.

Calvary by Signorelli, 1505

#2 "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43)  In this prayer he asked that we may be like Christ and welcome the repentant sinner and pardon the guilty.  Granting grace as God grants it abundantly to us

The Three Crosses" by Rembrandt, 1653

#3 "Woman, Here is your Son... Here is your Mother." (John 19: 26-27)  In this prayer we recognized that Jesus loves us like kin and that we should extend familial love to all.

"The Crucifixion of Jesus" by Dali, 1985

I found this to be the most compelling of the 7 images.

#4  "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)  In this prayer we recognize the vileness of our own sin and ask to be united with Christ.

 "The Crucifixion: by Cossa, 1470

Peter and John are depicted on either side.

#5  "I thirst" (John 19:28)  In this prayer we ask that we may find delight in Christ and recognize his humanity and ours as we thirst for Christ and grace.

"The Small Crucifixion" by Grunewald, 1510

#6  "It is Finished" (John 19:30)  In this prayer we asked that God find nothing wanting in our service.

"Descent from the Cross" by Rembrandt, 1651

#7  "Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit..." (Luke 23:46)  This painting was not credited but was a compelling contemporary artist's painting of the bloodied head of Christ.

In Kubler-Ross' Good Friday letter she describes how we must raise the next generation to not be afraid of grief and dying.  For without Good Friday, there would be no Resurrection. If we truly believe that, then dying will be our greatest pleasure.  

We must raise the next generation on unconditional love, not on the "sins of our Fathers". Abusers will raise more abusers.  We cannot pass this on to the next generation!  Instead go back 2000 years to Christ's command to Love your Neighbor as Yourself.  We need to teach children that anger is natural, but we must not dwell on rage and hate, but take a deep breath and reject anger, turning away with a "no thank you."  Grief allows us to grasp loss.  Do not be ashamed to cry.  Those children who are afraid to cry for fear of being spanked result in adults who wallow in self pity and shame.

Encourage children with unconditional love tempered with discipline.  When we say "no we won't tie your shoe" we are telling the child, "I trust that you can learn to do it yourself."  

And above all, Kubler-Ross tells us that we must learn these lessons ourselves, because we cannot pass them on, if we do not first love ourselves and recognize and receive God's unconditional love and discipline, getting rid of our "unfinished business."

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• Avondale has one of the just a few labyrinths in the city.
• It was really nice to connect again with Zatrice, a preschool teacher I first met at Bank of America.  I'm glad she has "landed" at Avondale and is still teaching.  We need more teachers like her in early childhood.
• One outreach mentioned on their website was a community garden that raises vegetables for Friendship Trays.  I saw folks working in the garden when I drove in, and it is visible from Park Road.

TODAY'S EXTRA

My daughter posted this on Facebook....

#38 117 Years in the Making

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
When I attended the lecture series at Covenant on Race, Culture and Opportunity, one of the sessions was on affordable housing.  They highlighted several programs in the community.  One of them was St. Paul's Baptist church.  In answer to their neighborhood being gentrified, and taxes and the prices of houses rising, they have bought land adjacent to the church and with the help of grants are developing it into senior housing and affordable housing.  I was impressed with their approach and knew that I wanted to visit the church.  Little did I know that I would be visiting on their 117th Anniversary.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
St. Paul's Baptist Church is located at 1401 Allen St. in Optimist Park between Seigle Ave. and Parkwood Lane  Dress is "church dressy".  Parking is an issue, though I found a place on  the street.  With the development of Centra Square in progress, it promises to get worse.  Rev. Scott asked for patience and announced that a shuttle will begin running from Hawthorne School on Sundays.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

All of the African American churches I've attended have been welcoming, but this one was by far the most welcoming so far.  I was greeted warmly and even hugged during the sharing of the peace.  Holding hands is obviously a custom in this church and mine was reached for during the prayers and Doxology with warmth.  More children were present in this congregation than I have encountered in other African American congregations, though there was no programming specifically for them during worship.  The worship including the hymns were signed for the deaf, the first time I've encountered this.

Signing the service and the Flag Accompaniment 

MUSIC

When I arrived a choir was singing a capella with a call and response.  The larger choir did several gospel hymns using talented soloists.  They were accompanied by keyboardists, a trumpet, saxophone, drums and guitars.  When the band played without the choir, they had a decided jazz feel, especially the trumpet and saxophone.  The choir and hymns were strictly gospel, except for the Doxology which used a traditional organ and tune.  The smaller hymn choir did a "Line Hymn" where a line was read aloud, and then the choir sung that line. They also had 4 flag bearers who waved pastel colored flags during many of the musical offerings.

MESSAGE

To celebrate their 117th Anniversary, they had a guest preacher today from Suffolk, Virginia, Dr. Steven G. Blunt.  Except for one short reading from Matthew 21:1-11, no mention of Palm Sunday was made (though some parishioners had palm crosses on their lapels).  Instead Dr. Blunt used  Exodus 33 as the basis for his sermon.  In this passage God tells Moses that the people have become "stiff necked" and are worshiping Baal.  Moses intercedes with God, and the people take off their jewelry and ornaments.  God changes his mind and sends an angel to cleanse the land so that the Israelites may have a land flowing with milk and honey.  He protects Moses from seeing his face and puts him safely in the cleft of a rock.  

After the reading, Dr. Blunt began his remarks by asking  "Do you want to be insured or receive "Blessed Assurance."  This he proclaimed is what Moses received from God. Though God punishes the people's disobedience with a season of sickness, it could have been worse.  He said "You can't mess up God's mercy with your mess!"  Moses points out to God that if he destroys the people, the Egyptians won't recognize his omnipotence.  He said, "Sometimes what you are going through is not about you.  God may have a bigger plan and be delivering a message to his enemies."  When the people leave their ornaments at the foot of Mt. Horeb, he equated that to leaving old ways behind.  When God protects Moses from seeing his face, he said, "As long as you are standing on God's rock, you are protected. He ended the 50 minute sermon by quoting many familiar hymns:  My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, How Firm a Foundation, Blessed Assurance and This is My Story.  His oratory and passionate delivery had many in the congregation on their feet, however I felt his message (to me at least) go lost in the powerful oratory.

Politics did "creep" into his oratory.  Once he equated Moses with Obama and when Aaron made the golden calf, he said they were "hoping the calf would make America, I mean Egypt, great again". While I think that preachers should help us bring the Bible to our current situation,  I'm not sure I'm comfortable with either  sanctifying the former President, or demonizing the current one.  I would rather preachers help us with our response instead.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• Rev. Scott  (St. Paul's pastor) had many announcements and observations about the Anniversary and his upcoming installation.  He used humor and oratory of his own.
• He said, "Where there's no vision, the people perish."  I like this!
• The church had recently approved a new $1.8 million dollar mortgage which he exhorted the congregation to pay it off early.  It will be used to upgrade the video and audio of the sanctuary and refurbish the old sanctuary for a children and youth building along with offices.  He talked about development of the adjacent land into affordable housing and senior housing as a way to change the lives of the people who come to live there.  He said we have decided to invest and STAY HERE during gentrification.
• There had been a Youth Community Fair as part of the Anniversary celebration (he said it was a lot better and more fun than a banquet).  He recounted how he and the youth pastor had been "baptized" several times in the dunking booth.  "I prayed for those that threw those balls this morning, and the Lord laughed at my prayer."
• Recognizing folks who had recently gone through a "CEO (?) Class" and become members, he stressed that at St. Paul's discipleship is stressed over membership.
• During the offering, members were asked to celebrate the anniversary by giving $117 above their tithe.  He went through ways you can give and asked that those who give on line or through their app, raise their "smart devices" to be blessed.  The offering was taken up by having the congregation file pass the offering plates.  I asked the lady beside me to take mine up.
• Dr. Scott is only the 5th pastor to serve the church in 117 years.  Averaging over 28 years each, I would say they have a history of very strong call committees!
• The Centra Square development was the only outreach mentioned.  However the announcement bulletin mentioned a scholarship ministry, donating blood, wearing pink for a cancer awareness Sunday,  and recruiting scoutmasters for their Boy Scout troop.
• At the very end of the service, he called out (not by name) several folks who had complained to his wife about their daughter dancing during worship.  He stood up for his family and said his young daughter authentically expressed herself and enjoyed imitating her dad.  I respected the way he did this.  
• None of the African American churches I've attended  (so far) have had child-friendly elements to their worship services.  Youth activities may be highlighted in announcements or the bulletin, but they almost never occur during worship.  Occasionally I've seen a youth choir,  but no children's sermon, or dismissing children to children's church and having them return for a blessing, and no children's bulletin, or "wiggle bags".   I've often wondered where the young people were, especially those in elementary school,  too old for a nursery. I had sort of assumed that the children were in another building with programming of their own, even though a Sunday School hour is separate.  But curiously, I do not see many children coming and going with their families in the parking lot. Their worship services seem to be geared strictly to adults, and the few children in the pews have been very well behaved and seem to operate under the "not being seen or heard" rule. 

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

Moses cartoons abound!!

This one below pretty much summed up the sermon  

THE BULLETIN and ANNOUNCEMENTS

#37 Granddaughters, Mummies, and a Little Lutheranism

This Christmon inspired work was on the wall behind the choir at Living Savior Lutheran.
It depicts the Trinity and the Church Year.

WHERE I WENT AND WHY
Having plans and having granddaughters are 2 things that rarely mix!  Granddaughters have a way of changing your plans and making your life an endless surprise of seeing regular events through new eyes.  My daughter is in nursing school and she moonlights at Children's Theater on weekends.  She needed babysitting on Sunday after church and to make the times work, I accompanied her to Living Saving Lutheran Church.  And besides, a little Lutheranism during Lent might be nice.

WHAT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT TO GO
Living Savior is at 6817 Carmel Road just South of Highway 51.  Dress was church casual.  Parking was tight, both in number of places and the number of times I had to back up and wiggle to get my daughter's small SUV out of the parking place!  They have 8:30 and 10:30 services on Sunday and their services are live-streamed.

REFLECTIONS ON WORSHIP

MOOD

My granddaughter Ella
coloring during announcements

The mood was very child friendly.  Emily and the girls were sitting on the front row! (she let them choose!) and there was a "pray-ground" off to the side of the choir for younger children to play along with a nursery and quiet bags for the children.  Abbie left after Communion to go to the children's choir practice.  In her bio, it is noted that along with her Divinity degree, Pastor Angela has a degree in Child Development from UNCG.  It shows in delightful ways. (Bias alert!  My Masters in Child and Family Development is also from UNCG!) 

MUSIC

The music director used a baby grand piano, organ, robed choir and hand bells.  The prelude, "It is Well" was beautiful though it had more of a performance vs. worship quality to it for me.  The anthem during the offertory was sung antiphonally and was beautiful, as was the handbell selection during Communion, a reprise of "It is Well with my Soul".

The "pray-ground" near the choir

MESSAGE

The Seminarian intern got some good experience talking with young children with his message about the raising of Lazarus and bringing the bones to life in Ezekiel.  At the end my oldest granddaughter, 7, stood up and summed up his stories,  "That was creepy," she said, and sat down.  Resurrection is a hard concept for elementary aged children, and many adults.  Pastor Angela addressed that in her sermon.

Rev. Angela King Powell began her sermon on John 11:1-45 with a dramatic reading among Jesus, Mary and Martha.  At the end Lazarus came in wrapped mummy-like in grave clothes.  Now Abbie was clearly convinced!

In her remarks she told us that this miracle is only recounted in John and is seen as a "foretaste" of Christ's resurrection to come.  Resurrection carries both promises and challenges for us.  Promises of a new life with Christ but challenging to believe, and to accept God's grace as we live out our lives here on earth.  She ended with a story of a boy trying a rope swing out over a river for the first time.  It took several times watching his friends, a mistrial, and much encouragement for him to finally swing out and let go of the rope.  Maybe when it is our turn to die, we can also  "let go into God", for we have seen our friends go before us, and our faith community is there to help us and show us the way to forgiveness.  Letting go of the rope, and stepping into God's good care takes faith in God's greatest mystery of all time.

OUTREACH AND OBSERVATIONS

• The morning announcements were extensive.  The congregation has been collecting 
  food for their "Smithfield families" (outreach to Smithfield school).  After worship they were packing the food and will deliver it this week.
•  They are making several other outreach activities to the surrounding community.  Tuesday is a coffee giveaway to neighbors driving by on their way to work.  They are planning music, crafts, and games for the neighborhood during a Summer Countdown in June, and were recruiting volunteers and money.
• The bulletin highlighted a prayer shawl ministry, quilt workshop, and college ministry.
• It felt good to be back in a Lutheran church and to sing the Kyrie and participate in the Communion liturgy.
• The entire service including the hymns, liturgy and prayers were printed in a bulletin booklet, 10 pages plus the announcement insert.  With the projector capability they used during the announcements, it seems it would have been more earth-friendly to minimize the paper, and use the projector and hymnbooks.  I go back and forth on this, and I see churches struggling with it too.  It is definitely visitor and user friendly to have everything printed out.  And change can be hard.  But a judicious use of a projector can save paper and become an effective worship tool.  I think a happy compromise must be in there somewhere.
• Their website was terrific and and had a tab called Vibrant Faith at Home which had activities for families to incorporate faith activities into their family routines, another example of child and family development at work!

THIS WEEK'S EXTRA

Pastor Angela's sermon was not too long... but I did notice that there was a clock on the back wall, facing the pulpit. (She says it pre-dates her.)

THE BULLETIN