Sunday’s Coming

by Pastor Bill Sherman
Posted on 07/10 at 06:07 PM

Dear Lakewood Family and Friends,
Many of you shared your enthusiasm about last Sunday’s message related to The Blind Side movie.  What a great story!  And one of the things that makes it so great is that it’s true!  I hope you have been aware this week of those around you to see not just their poverty but their potential, and that you have followed the Tuohys’ example to TURN AROUND and extend a hand to help where you see a need.

Mitzie Griffin shared with me the following to help us become more aware of the needs of others.  “Life is a gift.  Today, before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can’t speak.  Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.  Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who’s crying out to God for a life companion.  Today, before you complain about your life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.  Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.  And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.  And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: I’M ALIVE!”

This Sunday we’re going to be ALIVE in WORSHIP!  We will be led by the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa - 24 beautiful, energetic children from Kenya, many of them orphans, who have found love and hope in Jesus Christ in spite of the hardships they have faced.  The name “Daraja” is the Swahili word for “Bridge.”  Their purpose is to serve as a bridge to bring the Body of Christ together across the cultural differences as they share their African style of worship and praise.  This will be one you will want to bring your friends to share with you!

We will not have Children’s Church this Sunday so that our children may have the exciting experience of worship with the rest of us.  There will be a special love offering taken to help with their expenses, and they request that there be no photography or recording of their presentation.  You will have the opportunity to purchase some of their materials after the service if you wish.

This Sunday we will celebrate the baptism of little Samuel Jennings Calzada, son of Jaime and Rachel (Overby) Calzada at the 11:00 service, and we will have a time of prayer and commissioning for the mission team leaving for Romania next week.
The youth get back from their mystery trip tonight.  I’m looking forward to hearing where they went!  And the children return from our United Methodist Youth Camp at Leesburg on Saturday.  What a great summer they’re all having!  The next event will be Youth Week August 3-8 when the Rising 7th Graders are invited to join.  The Youth Week schedule will be in this Sunday’s bulletin.

MEN, remember the dinner meeting at 6:00 this coming Monday, July 26, in the CAC Dining Room.  Let Steve Hart know if you can come.  You can email him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or leave a message for him in the office (733-8477, extension 102).  Dale Tetter from Southside UMC will share about their men’s ministry, and there will be discussion about coming men’s events.

We have one space available (already paid for) for the Leadership Summit on Thursday and Friday, August 5 & 6.  The Summit originates at Willow Creek Church in Chicago, but we see it together in the sanctuary at CrossRoad Church with hundreds of others from many other churches in northern Florida and southern Georgia.  The speakers are excellent and include leaders in the church and in major businesses.  Please let me know asap if you’d like to go with us!

Would you do me a favor?  Pretty please?  Right now - before you forget - send a return email with your name, current address and phone numbers (including your cell phone if you don’t mind) and current email address to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  We’re wanting to update our records.  Things change so quickly, especially in the summer, and it’s especially hard to keep up with changing email addresses!  THANK YOU!!

Today’s Thursday, tomorrow’s Friday, but SUNDAY’S COMING!  I’m looking forward to seeing you as we worship together this Sunday with the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa!  See you then,
- Bill Sherman