Well, it has happened. Summer has begun! I know that school has been out for a little over a week. St. Paul's School finished on May 30th and Triad finished on June 2nd. Our staff had two days of training and meeting at the beginning of June. So for St. Paul's school staff, it has only been 1 week that they have been out of school (add to that the fact that they had to prepare their rooms for floor refinishing). So this week, I can say, "Summer has begun."
I really don't have anything on my mind in which I feel the need to speak about. It is summer, after all. While school might be over, summer means that there are other things going on at church. The ministry of St. Paul's doesn't stop on the last day of school. In fact, there are many things taking place at this time.
Work has begun on the float for the Troy Homecoming Parade. On Sunday, June 8th, we had over 2 dozen people show up to help out on the float and to prepare the bags for handing out at the parade. Over 2000 bags were prepared! There is still some work to be done on the float. That will take place in the Ministry Center gym on Sunday, June 29th starting at 3:00 p.m. and going till it is finished. We need your hands to help put the tissue paper on the chicken wire.
Vacation Bible School is coming! June 16-19 from 9-11:30 a.m. each day, we will have "Gangway to Galilee." VBS is for children ages 3 to 6th grade. It is an exciting time for St. Paul's. We invite the community in to enjoy the wonder of God's Amazing Grace. Many hands will help out next week. We look forward to the time we have with the children.
Worship continues to be a growing and vital part of the ministry of St. Paul's. The sermons for the summer are in conjunction with the summer Sunday school program - Bible stories that have water connected to them. Each one shows the grace and mercy of God in the lives of His people. Through water He has connected us to Himself and to one another - the water of Baptism. This weekend, June 14/15, the story is the water from the rock while Israel is in the wilderness.
Sunday Adult Bible class is studying "A Snapshot of the Old Testament." This gives us a chance to study some of the OT stories. It is exciting to see that we are filling up in the Bible class. We have set up more chairs in the church basement and filled all of them this last couple of weeks. That is exciting. Come and join us from 9:15-10:15 a.m. each Sunday morning. This is the same time that the Sunday school is gathering in the Ministry Center. What a great opportunity to grow in faith and fellowship and to get to the God's Word better.
Enjoy your summer. I know that I am. I will see you in worship.
