A Good Service Today

Sunday morning is always a treat. The morning starts with me leaving the house and walking 100 steps to the church building (I live in the house next door). I quickly finish off the bulletin inserts and get them printed off. I hear the prayer meeting going on in the next room, Vi is praying.

I go upstairs to the Adult Bible study that is just beginning. We are studying in the book of Genesis (for the last six months) about the story of Jacob wrestling with the Lord. Pearl is teaching and doing a great job.

I sneak out early and speak with Dave about 300 Salmon he has coming in on Monday. Dave is a man that must stay busy to stay sane. He juggles 24 things on a daily bases and only drops one or two. 300 fish,....wow! I speak to Dave about calling my phone during the children's part of the service so it will ring.

I meet the mission team we have sleeping at the church all week. They come from Kansas and are on mission. Thirteen young people seeking to experience God. Kevin,the leader, agrees to introduce their group during the announcements.

I go into the auditorium to set up my computer for the power point presentation that is used during the service. The power point takes hours to work through but people seem to enjoy being able to see and hear the message. I set things up. Margaret mentions that this is Gloria's final Sunday before see heads to Beijing. I make another power point to use during the announcements. As she leaves Colleen mentions we have bread to give away. I quickly make another power point to use during the announcements. Jim mentions that Mike is heading to China to live and he's at the airport now. I make another power point to mention this during the announcements.

An Iranian couple come and give me their power point to use in the sermon this morning. The power point isn't ready and needs to be revamped for the service. I reworked and re size their presentation.

Callie comes to see where she will be singing during the sermon. I take her through the sermon presentation so she can she where she will fit in. She smiles and goes back to her two new friends so has invited that morning.

I finish setting the computer up and notice Johnston standing beside me. Johnson is a man who is stranded with his family in Canada. I have them staying at the church until we help them get back home. Johnson wonders how things are going and if we can find something for him to do. I reassure him as I look at his wife and two young children sit quietly at the back of the church. Stress.

I notice Bryan and Janelle come in with their baby, who will be dedicated today. Grandparents are smiling and extended family is waiting. I hear a baby crying, not Keziah. I see Spanish family beside them and remember they want to join the church today. Go over and confirm.

Service starts, the room looks half empty. Everyone is still at the coffee bar. My son, Simon is cooking Salmon for all the missionaries. His first major connection lending a hand. I pray things will go well for him.

Worship continues. Room is filling up. People are happy. Their is a good spirit in the room. Trish is leading with Jim, sounds good. A baby is crying. Lots of clapping during the songs. Announcements. Everything well fine, Kevin came on cue.

Children time. Dave's phone is not making my ring. Finally. I talk about prayer. Kids wonder what I saying but happy they are the centre of focus. BAM leads them off.

Sermon time. Dedication goes well. Iranian couple hit a home run. Callie is on key and moves us to the Heart of Worship. Simon is still cooking somewhere. Pray for Gloria and Mike. Preach on "How to Stop Procrastination". Spanish family of four come forward and join. Everyone hugs them.

Get to the front door. The ones that really need a hug leave early. They are hurting.I give lots of hug today. Encourage a 7 year old quietly who got embarrassed today. Smiling. Hugging.

Get mission team ready to eat. Shelia is smiling. Things look good. Simon has got the fish cooked and in the board room. We sit down and eat. Clear tables so I can show them the differences between USA and Canadian people. Present the info and the gospel.

Home time, it's 3PM.

I sit on my favorite chair. Wanda asks how was service today. (She had spent her time cooking porgies for the mission team). "It was a good service today"