|
|
|
June, 2008
It’s a Miracle! Because of you… our new building: Samaritan House @ Siempre Para Los Niños, as well as the new missionary apartment are both nearly complete. An amazing 3,500 sq ft of building in just two days! The people of Central Community are incredible! We’ve always prayed that God would let us be a Light House for Him in our work and Memorial Day Weekend we had people from other churches, as well as their pastor’s, join us, not just to share the miracle and mission, but also to learn how to do what we do and take it back to their people.
Sharing our stories, on a beautiful Monday morning, on the roof God let us build, a mission’s leader from another church said: “I’ve always gone to church because I wanted to follow Jesus… but it just seemed like I was going to church… “(she began to cry, pure tears of joy, then said), “this weekend, building with all of you, I feel like I was really following Him.” Your faith, your willingness to give, to work, to volunteer… to go… long before our work was growing… let us be a blessing… God is too good. Join me in praying for our new work at Siempre. We’re on the ground floor, in the first inning of this great miracle in the making… I’m so excited! Can’t wait to see what God does next! It’s His miracle.
It’s Picnic Sunday… THIS SUNDAY! June 8th snuck up on us! But you don’t want to miss the fun of Central Community’s Annual Community Wide All Church Picnic! Planning is set, game’s at the ready, perfect weather is forecast; now all we need is you, your family, your friends and your food! If this is your first picnic- you’re in for a treat –the people of Central Community really know how to picnic! We picnic with a purpose. So many of our friends and family members may never come to church… but almost everyone love’s a picnic! Invite that person you’ve prayed for, the friend or neighbor you’ve been nervous about sharing The Lord with, your kids who just won’t come out to church… then cook enough great food for your family and at least one other. When you get to church- make sure to wear shorts and picnic clothes –drop off your food in the church kitchen- people will be waiting for you. At 12 noon- we pray and everyone goes through line to enjoy great Mexican food, fried chicken, lasagna, bbq’d ribs, baked beans, deviled eggs, coleslaw, peach cobbler… and that’s just MY PLATE! Central Community provides hundreds of ice cold sodas and bottled water, paper goods and plastic forks, etc… there’ll be cotton candy, snow cones, jumpers, great music, picnic games for both kids and adults and most of all a fantastic afternoon together. Face it, summer is here… let’s do our best to give it all we’ve got. It’ll be gone before we know it. I look forward to hanging out with you during the picnic. Bring an extra beach chair, bocce ball, Frisbee or just leave me some space on the blanket and we’ll kick back for awhile. It’s one of my favorite events of the year. Hope you’ll join us.
Thanks for loving us… many of you know my mother’s dying… by the time you read this she may already be with The Lord. As you can imagine, it’s been heart rending to watch her battle Alzheimer’s, suffer strokes and for the last few weeks, under the care of family and hospice, slip completely away from us… just barely there. Mom and dad were a faithful part of Central Community until their health wouldn’t allow it. In the days to come we’ll have her funeral here, she’ll be buried at National Cemetery. Many of you have lost a parent under similar circumstances. Some of you are losing a dear friend as you, along with our family, let her go. Your prayers have sustained us. Mom taught us to love Jesus, to “Do The Right Thing,” “To remember who you are,” and so many other priceless life lessons. You’ve taught me the wonder and joy of the church family as you’ve welcomed and embraced our parents as your own friends… as family. Know that we’re forever grateful. Please keep dad and each of us in your prayers. Know that you’re in ours as well. Sad days… but “Joy comes in the morning!” A great awakening to new life awaits her… what a reunion… “What a day that will be.” God is too good. If you’re unable to reach me- and you need to- call the office and ask for Pastor Ken. He’ll know everything that’s going on and he can help you. Looking forward to sharing some time just hanging out together at the picnic.
for changing lives,
Eric
|
