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Pastor's Page

Posted on September 2, 2004 ...

What an honor it was Sunday morning to give special recognition to Joe and Jean Cannon! Last Sunday Joe and Jean stepped aside as teachers in Second Grade Sunday School. Scores of people stood as I asked what families Joe and Jean’s ministry to second graders had touched. What an impressive sight!

Miss Jean has taught second grade for so long that I whimsically wonder if she ever graduated from second grade Sunday School herself! Could it be that, when her own second grade class promoted to third grade, Jean stayed behind and taught the new batch of second graders and simply has stayed in second grade ever since! Who knows?

On a few occasions, I have participated in the Cannon’s Bible Study class. Through games, flannel graphs, and numerous creative activities, they always did outstanding work in making Bible Study both informative and fun for children.

Thanks Jean and Joe. We look forward to seeing what new ministries God has in store for you. You have faithfully shown Jesus to generations of children. We remember our Lord’s words:

Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; Mark 9:37a NIV

Every ending marks a new beginning! With the close of one church year we begin another. This Sunday we open our new 2004-05 church year. A number of differences will be obvious. Some will have new classes, new classrooms, and/or new teachers. Other changes will be more subtle, such as the people who begin leadership roles on committees or other positions. I pray that the new year also will bring new enthusiasm about the positive things that potentially are ahead of us in the months ahead. Let’s NOT merely go through the motions. Instead, may we glorify God by bringing our best offerings of study, worship, and ministry.

Pastor’s P.S. Remember, next Sunday, September 12, is Launch Sunday. Among other beginnings, I will start a sermon series on the 23rd Psalm. It will be helpful in your personal devotional time to begin reading and reflecting on this very beloved passage of scripture.