Dear Kirk Church,
We live in awe for the Christ who lives in us. The Lord who is greater than all loves us so personally. His Spirit lives in you. His Word is alive in your soul. Paul writes in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” God’s presence is in our services, and we recognize His deep and unconditional love between His people in every gathering.
Last Sunday we saw 125 in our services combined, a good number for the beginning of summer. To everyone’s delight our Bible studies and men’s gathering this past week were well populated and refreshing to those in attendance. New people find their way into our Bible studies each week. We thank God for every person. Your faithfulness in worship, giving, prayer, service and love for one another is inspirational. Nick Renna kicked off a “Summer Series with Billy Graham Classic Crusades.” A group hung around after Parables to watch the video. These Crusades, though recorded years ago, still stir the soul.
Our members are the best people in the world. Everyone really gives the church their best effort. I loved seeing tall John McDevitt staying for second service to help with ushering, finding Dave and Judy Corum healthy and back from their travels (We are praying for their friend and Kirk friend Karen Pond who is facing many serious medical challenges at this time), and rejoicing over Ada Haas sitting with friends at The Kirk. I very much appreciate the church’s strong focus on the worship of the Lord with help from musicians Katie, Beverly, John, Seth, Mike and Dave in the first service and Katie, Jayne and Beverly in the second. Beverly Bruen is the young lady who is playing the cello in both services—nice addition. The church had so much fun loving Retha and Essie last Sunday—their “love basket” overflowed into three additional containers. Way to go church!
Today we are praying for members Blanche Frati (Mease Continuing Care) and Polly Hartley (Mease Dunedin). A phone call to the office this morning from Carolyn Jacobs reported that her husband Jim’s cancer surgery was a success! They “got it all,” and he is recovering and home in a few days. Praise the Lord! Bonnie Guerin is home after hip replacement and going through rehab. Ouch. We love ya Bon. Paul Broyer is on deck for knee replacement in two weeks. This mighty man has healed many a building woe here at The Kirk, and now we can love him back during this medical moment. Oh yes, and I was so surprised to find my friend Bob Book out of the hospital and in worship last week. Good news indeed. Please keep our youth and adults in your prayers as they travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to attend the Atlanta Fest Christian Concert, June 17–19.
We thank the Lord for his supply. Fan the Flame is at $9,000—a good pace toward our goal. Extra gifts were even in yesterday’s mailbox. Thank you so much. People really care about their church. The ticket sales for next year’s concert season are also at a great pace. As of yesterday, 177 season tickets have been purchased. Wonderful! The property at the church is glorious…thanks to the many volunteers, just splendid. A real walk in the park!
This Sunday is Communion Sunday for our 10:30 am service. We look to Christ. He is our all in all. We continue to go out on Monday evenings for evangelism to touch our guests and share God’s love. Keep us in prayer. Our Read through the New Testament rolls out of Romans this week and into Ephesians. Jesus is the answer then and now.
Let me wrap up this church e-mail by cutting and pasting a prayer from Elder Mike Puchrik here at the end. I thought his prayer last Sunday was fantastic. “Good Morning Jesus. May I please have a minute of your time before we start our day? I will have trials today, Lord. With Your help I will overcome them. It may be a day filled with surprise and splendor. May they humble me. Please help me, today, to reach out to the less fortunate and the unloved, for all are my brethren. I can see your reflection, Jesus, in all their faces. I am filled with your spirit, Jesus. Your unconditional love fills me up. Today, I will keep my heart free from hate, my mind free from worry. I will live simply and expect little. I will give much, sing often, pray always. Today I will scatter sunshine. Today I will forget self and think of others. Today I will be an instrument of Your peace. I will honor You, Lord, with every breath I take. Thank You, Jesus, for standing beside me today. Thank You, Jesus. Amen”
Until Next Time,
Pastor Jerry
