Here goes…what a fun First Trinity day!

• Pastor Chuck always has a smile on his face when I first see him on Sunday morning, but this morning there was a special sparkle, which I know came from the fact that his son Jon was confirming his faith today. One of the things I love most about him, is that as much as he loves being a pastor, he loves being a husband and father more.
• While they were warming up before the 8:45am service, I got to tell the choir that one of their long-time, beloved members, Ginny, received a good report from her cancer surgeon yesterday. She will still have some treatments, but the prognosis is good. The choir is being directed during the interim after Ruth Kovach retired by Kathy Gibson…and they sound wonderful!!
• I love it when I get the chance to greet people as they arrive for the Education Hour at 10:00–for me, it’s clear that there’s something exciting happening when all these people of all these ages are gathering to study God’s Word.
• I was special guest at Everyday Faith this morning. Pam Stone and Marsha Peth asked me to share the story of my Bible with the third graders and their parents. My Bible is a work-in-progress gift for my Godson/Nephew Paul when he turns 18. Every time I read it, I pray for him. I’m always writing notes to him in it, and quotes and drawing in it. There’s photos in there, too, of Paul as he grows up. I got a little teary when I was talking about it.
• The Everyday Faith kids made gift bags and beach balls for kids in Haiti because they’re in the Minor Prophets section of the Bible. One of the big messages of the Minor Prophets was “Take care of poor people!” There are also poor people all around us right here…how can we help?
• CONFIRMATION. I love all the people everywhere, the kids who are confirming their faith, the craziness, the honor we give to families in the service–knowing that families are God’s original idea for passing along the faith. I so appreciate all of Jason’s good work in preparing the service and the kids for this day. And I love having the small group leaders be part of it–Paul Zimberg and Heide Mathien. I love a Pastor who looks each confirmand in the eye, smiles warmly and invites them to kneel to receive the blessing. I thought the music was great today, too. We have some logistical things to write down for improving things next year–Kathy Figini is making a file.
• I need to write the children’s message down before I forget it–it really worked. The book I want to write some day is about children’s messages being times for congregation and children to teach each other. Those little kids looking into the eyes of those big kids while we all said, “Keep praying. Keep worshiping. Keep helping others. God wants you to and we need you to.” Good moment. So much more powerful than Sue Steege entertaining the little ones for a few minutes.
• In a day of many fun moments, my favorite was during Communion. A little boy whom I didn’t recognize…seemed like he was there for the confirmation, maybe came up for the blessing. Buzz cut, little grey vest with a red tie on, maybe 6 years old. For the blessing, I usually say, “God loves you so much. He always has and He always will” (I’m thinking I’m might like to perk up what I say, but that’s for another post), and make the sign of the cross on their forehead. So with this little boy, I put my hand on his head and said, “God loves you so much…”, he looked up at me, giggled, twinkled his eyes and said, “I know.” Not silly, not cocky, just so sure, already that God loves him so much. Oh that we would all receive His love that way every every day!

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