Ockober 28, 2008

Good Moanin' Springfieldians,

I don't know if you ever heard the story of Gary Klahr and Steven Barbin. They act like brothers. The two Fairfield, Connecticut, residents look alike, finish each other sentences, and speak with the same inflections. Gary served as Steve's best man at his wedding. Steve supported Gary through his father's death. They've been inseparable for 25 years.

On December 30, 1998, their friendship made sense. A caseworker called Gary with some personal questions. He thought she wanted to know if he was interested in adoption. He was partially correct. Her call concerned adoption  his own.

The news came as a bolt from the blue. For 51 years he had assumed he was Benjamin and Marjorie Klahr's biological son. Surprise! And that discovery was just the beginning.

Gary happened to mention that his best friend, Steve Barbin, was also adopted. The caseworker showed and instant interest and phoned Steve. "Are you sitting down?...You have a brother," she informed him. "Your friend Gary Klahr, is your brother."

Not just buddies, but brothers! Not just friends, but family! How do you imagine those two men felt?

I'm not sure exactly how they felt, but maybe I got a hint of it Sunday evening when you showed your appreciation to the church staff and our families. We could tell by kind words said, the laughter, the great food brought in, and by the many, many cards and gifts that we really sense we're not simply pastors and congregation, but we are family.

Jay, Gregg, and I are so deeply appreciative that God has called us here to serve as your pastors. It's not simply because of what took place on Sunday evening, but because every day you make us feel like we're part of the greatest family around. To be able to call you our brothers and sisters is such an honor for us. To really know, that even with all our quirks and weirdness, you love us. That is astounding to us. To know there's a family that prays for us is such a source of incredible strength.

Thank you for being our friends, or as Teri says, our peeps. Thank you for being our family. You put up with us, you laugh at us and with us, and you allow us to serve you as pastors. We are so appreciative.

Teri and I were at Olivet Nazarene University's Homecoming this past weekend. We celebrated our 30th anniversary of graduating from ONU. We were able to see many old friends, and by old I mean old! I can't believe how all those people had aged. What happened to them? Teri was still the best looking one there.

Some of those people I had not seen in 30 years, and yet the friendships were still alive and well. We caught up with each other. We laughed. We showed pictures and bragged about our kids. We shared stories of triumph and tragedy and somehow the bond that was formed in 1974 when we began our first semester at Olivet was still present.

I started thinking about what heaven is going to be like. What a great homecoming that's going to be! Just think about all those that we've loved over the years that we are going to get to see and laugh together with again. Think about the stories we'll share.

I say it often, "Heaven is a real place, for real people!" Now, that's a Homecoming I don't want to miss. Remember the old song, "What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, And I look upon His face  the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land, what a day, glorious day that will be."

I hope you're looking forward to that Homecoming as much as I am. What a great family reunion that will be!

Did You Know?????????????????

Don't forget this Saturday is when your set your clocks BACK (Jean, please take note  you fall back in the fall). If you forget to change your clock you'll be an hour early for church and Sunday School. Oh....please disregard this announcement. Show up early for church.

The Coffeehouse Comedy is right around the corner. Saturday November 8 and Sunday November 9. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Child care is available for those under 12 years old and younger. This is a great night of fun and opportunity to invite your friends for a fun night with exquisite desserts, coffee, and teas.

This Wednesday, October 29, like tomorrow, at 6:15 p.m. is the start of six weeks of special prayer gatherings. Caravan will still be meeting for our children but all other teens and adults will meet in the sanctuary for a time of prayer. Let's become the house of prayer God has called us to be.

You can still see Rob Young if you're interested in your child being a part of the Upward basketball program. Cost is $60. Practices will begin the week of December 1st and games will begin on Saturday, January 10, 2009.

Ladies Craft Connection  Saturday, November 1 from 5:00 -11:00 p.m. Bring your crafts, a snack to share, a friend and stop in anytime for great fellowship with other ladies. This gives you a night out without the kids and great fun to boot.

Spiritual Leadership for Men - All men are invited to be a part of a Small Group meeting on Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in room #105.

Wednesday Night Connection. This week's dinner menu is: Pasta Alfredo with Chicken, Mixed Vegetables, Tossed Salad and Assorted Desserts.

The Annual Turkey Bowl, Saturday November 22. The big football game, for all teens and adults, will begin at 11:00 a.m. on the grounds. This Sunday in the bulletin, there will be a list of grocery items for our community Thanksgiving Outreach as we make baskets for the less fortunate. Baskets for those donations will be in the foyer as well. We will have 4 football teams this year. Teams are assigned according to birthdates. Team 1: January  March; Team 2: April  June; Team 3: July  September; Team 4: October  December. Each donated item that is listed will have points that will be added to your team's score from the game to see who really will win the football games!

Our Karate Club has been invited by the Urban League to present a demonstration at Union Baptist Church, Tuesday, November 18th. This will open doors of ministry. Recently Kayla Sharpe and Zach Barrington were recognized for their skills in a competition. Way to go Karate Club!

Kidz Express on Wednesday evenings from 6:00  6:15 p.m. will be a time of games and activities before the start of Caravan. Gloria Sanguedolce is planning great times for the kids.

We are in need of some more volunteers to help staff the nursery both on Sundays and especially on Wednesdays. It may come to the place where we can not offer this important ministry to families if there are not some more volunteers.

Upcoming Events: November 2 - Daylight Savings Time Ends  and extra hour of sleep! Yahoo!

November 8-9 Coffeehouse Comedy, 6:30 both nights

November 19  Wednesday - All-Church Thanksgiving Dinner

November 22  Saturday  Turkey Bowl, 11:00 a.m.

November 23  Breadline Sunday

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CHILDREN MINISTRIES

Invitational Children's Quiz in Pana the morning of November 8th.

TEEN MINISTRY

This coming Friday, October 31st it's OFF night for Momentum.

Teen Girls' Bible Study  meets on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m., at Sue Bagley's home (327 Osteen, Chatham). All teen girls are invited for the fellowship and Bible study.

PRAYER REQUESTS.........

Those listed in Sunday's bulletin

Lynette Heppe

Renee Gallaher's mother

Ty Miller (Nancy Prillaman's grandson)