Last Sunday was a good Sunday-- if you overlook the fact that we messed up the media portions of the program big time. All because a cord came loose. There's got to be a sermon in there somewhere. Nothing works if you aren't plugged in properly. Remember that! It was all done on purpose to make this point! But we go forward, struggling to enter the 20th century of media. No, that is not a mistake. We couldn't afford, understand or operate the 21st century of media. Besides, for us media muggles, that stuff is so advanced you'd have to be eight years old to understand how to do it. Still, I'm sure we all appreciate the effort. Like the Marines, we are still looking for a few good men and women to staff the visual media on Sunday mornings. Pray about it and let me know real soon so you can get in on the training.
This coming Sunday will be a grand celebration of life and growth. Our 3rd Graders will receive their very own Bibles. Some of us still have our church gift Bible from our childhood. What a blessing. We will recognize our graduating high school seniors and our college and post graduate scholars. Just think of it, not one but two, count 'em two, cakes at fellowship time! We will also give thanks for our LIVE BIG (Sunday School) and WOW NOW! (Worship time) servants who have given their witness to our children this year.
Our sermon will be "delivered" by a guest preacher by the name of Rob Bell. He is the founding pastor of a mega church in Grand Rapids, Michigan call Mars Hill Bible Church. The presentation is entitled "She" and is a follow up of my theme from last week on feminine images for God in the Bible. Bell's message is part of an educational series called Nooma (a phonetic spelling of pneuma, the NT Greek word for spirit). My Discipleship Hour class has been watching a Nooma presentation each week and the consensus is: They are great. You will not only be impressed by the speaker's preaching style and content, but also by the creative way the visuals complement the message, indeed even become the dominant input at times. You really cannot do these messages justice by telling about them. You have to see one for yourself. I'm thinking more of you will want to join us at 9:00 AM Discipleship Hour to see the other messages in Nooma after you watch "She."
See you in Church, APUMC
Pastor Carl
P.S. I promise to spend the time I would normally spend on my weekly sermon learning something about computers from an eight year old.