More Holy Spirit work

As you may know, I’ve been guiding a class on baptism for 3rd-5th graders for a few Wednesday afternoons now. What a great growing time we’ve had together. This Sunday we’ll celebrate some baptisms in church. What a special day for these children and families and for our church. What we have done is to teach these children about God’s love and grace and about the sacrament of Baptism in the Methodist way. Baptism is at its essence an act of God claiming a person as His own and an act that shows the prevenient grace of God that works in us. Prevenient grace is that grace which is working before we are even aware of it. Baptism is one sign of that grace. Before we choose God, God chooses us in baptism. He claims us as His own. I urge you to come Sunday and be the covenant community of faith for these children who will be baptized.
We also welcome our Wee Wisdom pre-school children to sing in worship this Sunday October 11th. Our Pre-school is close to full this year. They are learning and bustling with activity. Mary Nell Rainey, our director, and our teaching staff are doing a terrific job! There is nothing quite like the voices of children singing the songs of Christian faith they are learning. Let them lift your spirits this Sunday.
One of our layman, Clay Hart, shared his heart last Sunday. God led him to witness and to exhort us, particularly men, to mentor a child. He is right that Christian men role models are a high need in our society. We at the church are resisting the temptation to over-organize the movement of the Holy Spirit right now even though there are ways we can assist in its work. Therefore if your heart would lead you to exploring a mentoring opportunity please call Clay Hart. His number is 837-5330. He would warmly welcome your call. Any way the church can facilitate and help, we will.
Finally, I ask for your prayers next week as I embark on a new journey of equipping for my ministry. As I’ve shared before, I am beginning a program called “Advancing Pastoral Leadership.” It involves quarterly educational retreats the first of which is next Monday-Thursday, October 12-15. I will not miss a Sunday but will be away those days. Of course if you have an emergency, please call the church office and Sharon can reach me. You may also call Dixie Jarrott at 283-2003 for immediate prayer and care. I thank you for your prayers and your always faithful support.