This Week in Worship

February 19, 2012

          Worship is such a precious gift.  It is God’s people gathering to give praise to God and to celebrate how wonderful and marvelous life is.  As I write this, there is so much for which to be thankful.  We have a new Methodist among us.  Miles Easton Miller, son of Wade and Hollye Miller and brother to Jax Miller was born Tuesday, February 14.  All is well.  Ida Bell had knee replacement surgery and it could not have gone any better.  Nancy Snider has foot surgery and all is well with her.  Hamp Wyatt is recovering very well from his surgery last week.  There are others who have had procedures for which I may not have permission to share, but know God has worked wonderful miracles in their lives.  And there may have been others of which I am not even aware.  God is so willing to share an abundance of grace and mercy among us.  We see God’s handiwork all around if we will simply notice.
          This coming Sunday Paul Meadows will be preaching.  Paul always brings a moving and inspiring message from his heart and spirit.  God uses him in such a great way in all the aspects of his life.  I appreciate Paul and Ellen and their family and the love for Christ they share. 
          Many of our youth will be on retreat in Gatlinburg this weekend.  Pray for them and all those you will accompany them.  I thank God for David Hand and miracle he is among us.  David’s passion for youth pours out into their lives and the lives of the adults who serve as counselors and leaders.  What a great gift our church has in David.    
          We continue to be sad but celebrating the ministry of Amanda Moore as she prepares to move on from being our Director of Children’s Ministries.  Grace Place and other children’s ministries have grown under her leadership and she will be missed.  Her resignation is effective the end of February.  Also, pray for the Staff Parish Relations Committee as they continue the search for a new Director of Children’s Ministries.  They are prayerfully giving time and effort to make sure the right person; the person called of God steps into this ministry.  I encourage our church to pray for this ministry. 
          A reminder that next Wednesday, February 22 is Ash Wednesday.  We will have an Ash Wednesday Service in the Sanctuary at 6:30pm.  Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent.  Lent is a very moving time of self-examination and reflection of our lives in the shadow of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for our sins.  Please make every effort to join me next Wednesday.
         I thank God for every remembrance of you and pray for you and for the ministry and mission of Langdale United Methodist Church.