Dear Kirk Church Family,
Hello to all. Okay, I’m back after a week in Indiana and Ohio. We went up north to attend one of Debbie’s niece’s wedding. Nice event. Daughter Katie and granddaughter Grace were both in the wedding. Grace was the first one jumping around on the dance floor when the music started at the reception and the last one to step off at the end…so much fun to watch. We hung out with Ben and wife Carolina and Luke and Fiancé Chelsea during the week. Seth spent the week playing video games with his old friend Sam. Ben took me off-roading, a terrifying sport of riding up steep hills in his tough Land Rover. I was scared out of my wits – but survived. I was later told that the hills we went over were B level hills and that I was a big baby for being afraid. Hmmm. Glad to be home.
I very much appreciate everyone who helped church carry on in our absence. I heard Dave Boyle had a good, strong message! Way to go Dave. Thanks to Mike Puchrik for leading both services and to all the musicians who stepped up to lead worship in both services. I missed being there, but I am proud of everyone who participated. Thanks, too, for our great secretaries, Flo, Melanie and Barbara, for keeping everything humming along beautifully. Oh yes, I heard the men had a superb Men’s Breakfast last Saturday as well. Way to go guys.
Now let me catch you up on some people news. Of course you have heard that Kenn Gangel is now in heaven. Good man and a good friend. Betty is resting up in Ohio with her sisters and brother nearby. She called my cell phone while I was in Springfield, Ohio, getting around for the wedding. She was calling from Troy, Ohio, just down the road. We laughed at the coincidence of both being in Ohio. She said she will be with us this winter for a bit of the season, and I was so happy to hear she is returning to Florida.
Now keep your prayers active toward Polly Hartley, Blanche Frati, Karen Pond, Paul Broyer, Daniel Files (Barbara’s son), Joe Ciofu, Ron and Sandy Poland, Mary Schurdell….
This Sunday we celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. We’ll thank God for our nation and then make a verbal run to the cross where true freedom is found. I look forward to worshipping with everyone. Tomorrow is Parables, and I can’t wait to get eye to eye with my Bible-loving friends. Everyone is invited to this mid-week Bible fellowship at 11 am on Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall. (That sounds like a commercial, doesn’t it?)
Congratulations to everyone for your continued generosity – Our Fan the Flame/Adopt-A-Bill summer program is above $13,000…fantastic! Attendance wise it is thrilling to see us up 20 from this time last year. We don’t make nickels and noses our objective, but these are fun markers when the church is healthy. The real focus is on keeping our focus on Jesus—it’s all about loving him and loving each other. Amen.
Now, ladies, let me put an invite in your path. My wife Debbie and I are inviting you to join us for lunch at our home on Tuesday, July 7, at noon. We live at 381 Meravan Ct., Palm Harbor, not too far from the church. Please sign up Sunday and let us know you are coming. Deb is making lunch, and I’ll have a small devotional, but mostly we just look forward to being together. Friends are welcome, too, just sign up so we know who to expect…should be fun!
See you all at Bible Study and in worship. God is with us!
Pastor Jerry
