Dogs Days End and We’re Off to the Races!
Meteorologist Pete Delkus of WFAA Channel 8 said last night that the “dog days of summer” – the hottest days – officially end on August 14 … which is just about the time that fall activity at our church begins heating up! As new Minister of Adult Education Rev. Rebecca Grogan noted about our fall planning session two weeks ago, “Y’all have a LOT going on in this church.” From a “balcony” level, here are some shifts and surprises in store for you this fall:
Fresh Voices series during the month of August kicks off on Aug. 4 with Rev. Blair Thompson (who has been consulting with our Futurist Team over the summer) preaching and Mardi Bowen leading our Blessing of the Backpacks.
A congregational survey coming in August from our Futurist Team, followed by a host of small group meetings with all who want to attend with God’s future for our church in mind.
Rev. Rebecca Grogan joins us on August 1, working with our adult Sunday School classes, two new Bible studies, and new offerings for fall.
Griffin Shoemaker begins leading our Modern Blended Service musically in August while also working with our Children’s Choir and Youth Band.
Enough: Discovering the Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity, by Rev. Adam Hamilton will lead our preaching and teaching focus in September as we lean into God’s generosity in our lives and our response to that grace.
Our Golf F.O.R.E. Good golf tournament on Sept. 24 will be our focused fundraiser that largely replaces the parking income from the Plano Balloon Festival in past years.
Our new maintenance shed will be under construction and bids received for the parking and driveway of our “new front door” on the cross side of our church.
Do Unto Others will be our preaching and teaching focus in October as we learn and pray to love God and one another first as we make our way to the polls for the sake of our country.
We will remember with thanksgiving our departed saints in what always is a holy service on Nov. 3.
Multiple mission opportunities sprinkled all along the way.
In all these ways, we live out our Wesleyan heritage of personal piety and social holiness, connecting God and grace to self and community all along the way. To the leadership of our great laity and staff, again I say, “thank you.”
Rev. Judith Reedy is our Pastor-in-Charge beginning Monday, July 26, and I already look forward to being back in the pulpit on Sept. 1 (Labor Day weekend) to hear all that will have transpired. We will already be off to the races with the good news of Jesus Christ and his great love, thanks be to God!
In prayer for you all along the way,
