I love that feeling when a fiction book sucks me in. It’s when the story grabs me and won’t let go. I ‘m looking for a moment to read a few more pages. Can’t wait for supper because I can read while I eat. I decide to turn off the TV to read. I feel so sad as it comes to an end.

Currently, that book is “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. Thanks for the recommendation, Karen! I’d like to write more, but it’s time to read.

Dear Ladies-

I can’t believe it’s been more than two weeks since we were gathered at the Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center. I have great memories of the weekend and wanted to follow up on a few things with you:

• Wondering if you’re able to find time to be in the Word a little more. Have the prayer cards been helpful at all? Or the candle? Or the verse cards?
• Hoping you’ll put next year’s date on your calendar—and even more I hope you’ll think of someone who wasn’t there this year who you know would benefit from this time away to be refreshed in God’s Word. The dates are November 5-7, 2010. Bonus: we get an extra hour of sleep that Saturday night! I think I’m already looking forward to it!
• A couple people have shared ways that they stay in the Word since our time together. You might want to check them out:
  • David Jeremiah—Sandra Rice’s favorite. She says to “check out his message on 11/9. What a God thing! He even speaks of refresh, receive, etc. in the Word.”
  • You could sign up t0 receive 28 Daily Devotions that are written by First Trinity members. The “Rooted and Relevant” series starts on Monday November 23rd.  If you already receive emails from First Trinity, you sign up by going to the bottom of one of those emails and clicking “Manage Profile”. If you don’t already receive emails from First Trinity, you can go to FirstTrinity.com and sign-up there.
• Bottom line, I’m so glad you could squeeze in some time set aside for the renewal of your Spirit. I love being with you in that special time. Hope to see you there next year!

In His Light,

Sue

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” (Psalm 23)

Oh, yeah. We’re in that valley at First Trinity. At least I surely feel it. I was at four wakes and three funerals in eight days last week. Not all them at First Trinity, but all of them connected to First Trinity. All four were deaths caused by The Great Thief: cancer. Of the devil. How did Jesus say it? “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10). Yup, that’s cancer alright: steal, kill, destroy. I hate that disease. Hate it. And it’s not just Marcia, Erna, Ralph and Heidi who died last week. It’s the others (I can count 6 in my head and that might not be all of them) still with us who are fighting like crazy. Did I mention I hate that disease?

And it’s not just the physical deaths that are all around us. Seems like I’m hearing more-than-usual tough stories of family strife. Fear, addiction, abuse, waiting-way-too-long-for-adopted-children-to-come-home…and on it goes. A different kind of valley. But a valley, for sure.

What’s a girl to do?

I am tired. Much more tired than usual. I find myself tearing up often. I ache for the people I know who are going through this valley. I am driven to my knees—Jesus is the only Hope and that is more clear to me than ever before. I am also driven to the Word more than ever. God’s Word is rich and powerful and it comforts when nothing else will. When the answers don’t come, the Word reminds me that I don’t need the answers.

Because, the valley-of-the-shadow-of-the-death verse in Psalm 23 doesn’t end there. Here’s the whole thing:

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. (Psalm 23:4)

And, the steal, kill and destroy verse doesn’t end there, either:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

I must say that at all those very sad funerals, God’s good news was shared authentically. It was shared in God’s truth, with gentle humor, in lovely music, with care and with joy. God was so present. Not absent—right there with us in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

And,  after being reminded of this by a friend (also fighting cancer) today, I am pondering the words that Pastor Chuck shared at Erna’s funeral. Erna said, upon hearing her diagnosis:

“Well, if I beat cancer, I win. If I don’t beat cancer, I still win because of Jesus.”

If Erna could say that in the face of the pain she faced and the unknown process of leaving this world and entering heaven, I will take the same stand. I will fear no evil because You are with me. Will you join me?

• I came today thinking the big news would be the paint on the walls in the sanctuary. Then it turned out to be a big “homecoming” day!
  • Several people who have been away from worship because of illness or recovering from surgery were BACK. Erna Eischen, Audrey Barrett, Darlene Helming.
  • Dan and Amy Mahl were here. They live in Albany, but have gone to Haiti with us a couple times.
  • A couple people who just haven’t been in worship, and I’ve missed them were here.
  • The paint is cool. God’s people? Way way way cooler.
• I am sure there are people who don’t care for the paint, but the only reactions I heard today were positive. VERY positive.  As Tim Hartnett said, “lots of superlatives”.
• Kingdom Quest had a special guest, today. Margaret Talboys from Habitat for Humanity came to thank the children for making wreaths that will be shared with Buffalo Habitat homeowners in the coming year. Very cool.
• Also in Kingdom Quest, I had a blast watching Christopher Hartnett play the part of a builder who explained the whole construction of Solomon’s temple. The large group team had even set up some  cones and stuff to show the size of the Holy of Holies.  They do a FANTASTIC job in Kingdom Quest!!
• I am in the bulletin as the “Director of Transformation Services”. That tickles me.
• Getting more and more passionate about helping people get into the Word on a daily basis.  How to do that most effectively??!?
• Mission madness is getting very exciting. Three new baskets left in my office today: night’s stay at The Lodge bed and breakfast, ice cream toppers and an Entertainment Book. You aren’t going to want to miss this event (Saturday November 14, 2pm – 5pm). And all to help us serve others in the world in Jesus’ name!!
• Gosh, I thought the band sounded great at 11:15 today. I found it very easy to sing along and felt caught up in the beauty of the music. Really enhanced my worship. I stayed after to sing “Happy Now I Know” with them.
• 16 couples at the Couples Retreat this weekend. I love that. Can’t wait to hear more about it. Big thanks to the Dosters and the Chamberlands for planning it. Made finding communion assistants at 11:15 a little tricky.

Seth Godin had a great post today, titled “Notice Me”! He talks about how important it is to look beyond the goal of being noticed to “far better” goals like being:

• Trusted
• Engaged with
• Purchased from
• Discussed
• Echoed
• Teaching us
• Leading

Here’s another plea (this time from God’s Word) to put the focus where it belongs:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:8-9

This has long been one of my favorite morning prayers:

Jesus, I desire to start this day with You. And yet, my mind keep flitting to so many things: the projects I want to accomplish, the people I want to talk to, the people I wish I didn’t have to talk to.

I wonder. Are these things distractions to spiritual concentration or invitations to see God in the ordinary?

I’m not sure, Jesus.  I know that You are that Center who knows no distraction. So I offer up my mental fragmentation to You, O Lord my God. May my scatteredness become Your gatheredness. As I am contemplating a thousand things, Jesus, may I somehow be contemplating You. Amen.

- Richard Foster, Prayers from the Heart

• There are some Sundays that just have a crazy feel to them. This was one of them, with a capital C.R.A.Z.Y.
• There was a mouse in the chancel (the chancel is the whole altar area–everything behind the communion rails)!  Pete Bulger told me that Pastor was looking for me right in the middle of the 8:45 service (that gets my attention)…so I quickly went over to the bathroom hallway, and there he stands in his robe, holding a broom and a dustpan and asking “Any suggestions what I should do about the mouse in the chancel?” This, my friends is an all-service Pastor. Anyway, he decided to wait until the service was over. When I warned the acolyte (Brandon)  who was getting ready to go out to put out the candles that there was a mouse in the chancel (didn’t want him to be afraid), he said, “Cool.”.  Brandon’s dad Russ captured the little thing and let it go outside.
• Kingdom Quest had several missing Shepherds, which is a challenge.  Cathy and her team pulled it off in magnificent fashion, as they always do.
• I got to be in the skit for Kingdom Quest today. Pretty fun. I got to scream and cry–and I won the baby. If you’re wondering what in the world I’m talking about, check out 1 Kings 3:16-28.
• Jason and Tim (on behalf of the Renovations Committee) asked me to be the Foreman for the moving project after church to get things ready for painting, which starts on Monday morning. They thought it might take 30-40 minutes. Took us 10. Wooo hooooo!! We were basically moving things in the balcony and Cry Room. Big thanks to Pam Jones, Steve Frazier, Jeff Bruce, Randy Wert, Mark Mongielo, Dan McCollum and Dave Phillips. You guys were great!
• I always love hearing youth in the worship band. Today I thought Jake McCollum sounded especially good. So fun.
• I found the Bills game to be very disheartening. I will always root for them, but man are they terrible. Terrible.  And the Twins lost, too. Sigh.
• I really resonated with Jason’s sermon today. Presence, Rest, and Forgiveness. Those are some great promises from God. I also loved the passage which I hadn’t read in a while that says, “if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13. I’m going to be praying that one a lot this week.
• Seems  like there’s an awful lot of really tough sickness stuff around. I was especially aware today of Erna and Cindy who I know were not at worship this weekend because they are fighting BIG battles with cancer. I think of their loved ones who are ministering to them and with them on a daily basis. I pray for the medical professionals in their lives. Friends and relatives, too.  I can sure say this, the faith of both of these women is a shining light for me.  I hate that disease, but I love the way it drives me to my knees. It’s the only peace I find when it comes to that. God is faithful.

*Thanks to Becca Calvin…this pic was on her Facebook.

P.S. I have to admit I would love to hear the Beulah Baptist Gospel Choir!

First Trinity’s Special Events ministry (called Impact), has a doozy of a good thing coming up and I wanted you to know about it! Here’s the deal:

• Sunday October 25th at 5:30pm at First Trinity…1570 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda 14150
• The dinner is a pasta buffet (including alredo, baked ziti and mac and cheese). This is the same awesome team that brings us Monday’s Meal–they are GREAT cooks.
• The entertainment is a guy named Nels Cremean, show called “In Jest”. He’s a Christian artist into juggling, humor, and lots of tricks and other fun stuff. His website says: Experience side-splitting, gravity-defying fun with clean comedy, flying objects, audience participation, incredible stunts, and amazing yet useless skills.
• AND YES, THE TICKETS ARE ONE DOLLAR. In fact, if you bring a child, your ticket is free. That means the tickets are 50 cents (they are also taking an offering to help cover expenses).
• I have talked to several people who have seen this guy in person and really loved him. Highly recommended I show up. So I’m going to.
  

Isn’t there a child you’d like to come and laugh your brains out with? We all need more lightness in our hearts and lives. I hope you’ll come. PERFECT for bringing a friend (your child’s or yours).

• We had 462 people in worship over the weekend. Yowsa. Thank You, Holy Spirit!!
• I got the chance to attend the Discover First Trinity class. Lots of people in there–if you’re reading this, I challenge you to find out who they are and introduce yourself to one of them. Pastor Chuck taught about the Bible today. Great stuff. I got to explain what Transformation Ministries is–but I forgot to mention Everyday Faith and the Preschool. Doggone it.
• Got another comment of surprise about my office today.  Being clean that is. It’s been this way well over six months, but it’s still shocking to people.
• I thought the skit in worship was great (although I was at a Bills party later in the day where the people didn’t feel quite the same way). I loved the concept that the church was designed to have a balance of “in” actions (focused inwardly) and “out” actions (focused out to the world where people don’t know Jesus yet).  I liked how it set Pastor Chuck up to share the ways that First Trinity focuses out. I learned some things (like I didn’t know about the literacy program for women in India…makes me want to give over my pledge).  Joe Zimmerman and Karen Cassidy have pretty perfect comedic timing!
• Kingdom Quest used a lesson I wrote to go with the “Nations Matter” theme. Wish I could have seen how it worked out. They sure have a great team in there!!
• We had Life Group last night and I always feel more connected to the larger worshiping community after I’ve spent time in that smaller group.