Wow!! Awesome!! Praise the Lord!! How great is our God!!

What else can you say after such a wonderful time of praise and worship, encouragement and blessing as we had Sunday!

Of course the great thing we celebrated together Sunday morning was the baptism of two more of our young people. It was a joy and privilege to be a part of the baptisms of Sydney Parks and Sadie Essic. In a very emotional and encouraging pair of baptisms, the dads baptized their daughters. What a beautiful sight that was, and what an incredible moment to share with these two marvelous young ladies and these two wonderful Christian families.

We have been blessed with several others added to the Lord’s kingdom over the past several months, and we know that there are many who have impacted these young people and helped them make that commitment and decide to follow Jesus and make Him Lord of their lives. But there is one couple that has a special hand in these young lives and their families, and makes sacrifices throughout every week to have that impact. Thank you so very much David and Kiera Keen for the blessing you are to all of us in this church family and beyond.

And another great thing that happened on Sunday was a prayer request from Jeff and Kari Clevinger and their family. They asked for prayers for their family and especially for their son Jake while he is in a treatment facility in Arkansas. Our thoughts and prayers are with this incredible, wonderful family, and will be throughout these next few months and in the months ahead. What a long road they have ahead for them! As parents of two girls now in their 30’s, Joyce and I know that road continues well after the kids reach “adulthood.” Many of you have children much older than ours and will give your hearty amen to that as well.

We can all do something to help: we can pray. We can pray for the Clevingers, and we can pray for all our young people and their families. We can pray for all our members who are hurting and going through struggles. And we can pray for all our families with children of all ages, knowing the great challenges, difficulties and joys they have ahead for them.

And we can do something else. We can encourage them. What does that mean? I’m intentionally leaving this statement general so that you will pray and find the specific ways you can offer that encouragement. Just think of what you would want if you were in their shoes, going through what they’re going through, in this day and time and culture. Then do that. For them.

Isn’t this what church is supposed to be all about? Sharing in the joys and celebrations, as well as the struggles and hurts? Thank you God for such a church family!

Okay, well maybe one more thing can be said: “To GOD be the glory!! Great things HE has done!!”