PASTOR PETE’S PONDERINGS

The Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  The snowbirds have gone north for the summer. The tourists have arrived with a flurry of unorganized and undirected activity.  There will be no more 20-25 minute trips to Wal-Mart.  They’ll be more like 45 minutes to an hour each way.  No more short lines at the local grocery store or restaurants.  A trip on Highway 98 literally means “taking your life into your own hands.”  With the tourists, the heat and humidity have also arrived.  Ah, isn’t it great to live in paradise? 

          But it is great to live in paradise –warm weather, great beaches, beautiful scenery.  You know what is even greater?  All of this is from God – the snowbirds, the tourists, the scenery, the beach, the lines, the traffic, the entirety of creation – it is all from God.  The psalmist says “Praise the Lord, O my soul” (Psalm 104:35b).  Psalm 104 paints a wonderfully beautiful picture of God’s creating hand and his blessing of and dominion over his created wonders here on this earth.  “How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all.” (v.24).  Yes, everything is from God and let us rejoice in and be glad in it. 

          Yes, even in the midst of tourists, heat, humidity, traffic, lines and frustrations, let us rejoice and be glad in it.  I will if you will.  Well, I’ll try, if you will try.  I promise I’ll try even if you don’t.  “May the glory of the Lord endure forever:  may the Lord rejoice in His works…. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.  May my meditations be pleasing to him as I rejoice in the Lord” (Psalm 104: 31, 33-34).                                                               —- Pastor Pete

 

 

 

 

STUFF HAPPENIN’

STEPHEN MINISTRY:   Stephen ministers stand ready and willing to help you through the challenges and struggles of life.  If you would like more information on Stephen Ministry, please contact Pastor Pete.

 

We will be hosting the BACCALAUREATE Service and Reception for the 2008 graduating class of South Walton High School on Tuesday evening, June 3rd, at 6:00 pm.  If you can help with this wonderful event, please call the church office (267-2599) or Carol Dickson (622-0209).  Thanks!

 

We’re looking for ideas for Community Cruiser trips.  If there is something that interests you, your friends and neighbors, please contact Carol Dickson (622-0209) and let’s see if we can get a bus load to go!

 

A Memorial Service for ANNA PASQUARELLO…..

will be held in our sanctuary on Saturday, June 7th, at 11:00 am with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.  If you would like to help with this reception, please call Carol Dickson (622-0209).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Regular Schedule:

Sunday—9:00 am  -  Sunday School for all ages (Two adult classes & classes for all children & youth)
Sunday—10:00 am  -  Worship
Nursery—Every Sunday—8:50 to 11:10 am
Wednesday—6:30 pm—Bible Study
Thursday—3:00 pm  -  Youth Beach & Bible Study
Sunday, June 1st—10:00 am  -  Communion
Sunday, June 1st—10:00 am—Caring & Sharing Sunday
Monday, June 2nd—4:30 pm—VBS Planning Meeting
Monday, June 9—4:00 pm—Finance Committee
Monday, June 9—6:00 pm—Board of Deacons’ Meeting
Thursday, June 12—1:00 pm—Mission Committee
Sunday, June 15—11:10 am  -  Fellowship Luncheon (potluck)
          (Bring your Dad and fellowship with others for Father’s Day!)
Wednesday—7:30 am  -  Bible Study at SHHEC (on summer break)
Wednesday—10:00 am—Bible Study (on summer break)
Wednesday—6:00 pm  - Choir Rehearsal (on summer break)

PRESCHOOL UPDATE:   A New Director!

          Over the past few months our church has taken a great step of faith as we have approved and begun the planning to open a preschool beginning in August.  Jean Rice and the preschool committee, as well as the board of Deacons, have done a lot of work to get this new ministry off the ground and moving forward.  We have now hired a Director.  Her name is Robin Vaughn.  She is a native of Destin and an active member of St. Rita’s Catholic Church.  Robin holds a bachelors degree in child development from Florida State University and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  She has taught first grade and kindergarten.  Robin is excited and a little anxious about starting a preschool program from scratch.

          You will begin seeing changes in the décor and layout of our building and grounds during the month of June….some new tile floors, the construction of a playground and the arrival of children’s equipment, toys and furniture.  The preschool committee, the board of Deacons and the staff are just as excited and just as anxious as Robin is about this new adventure in ministry.  Please be in prayer for this new ministry undertaking and for Robin Vaughn as she leads this new endeavor.  It is great to be a part of a church that is willing to step outside its comfort zone in order to expand ministry opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Join us for Sunday School.  We have two adult classes
and classes for all children and youth.

 

 

In the summertime, we can practice learning how to listen to God all around us in creation.

“Hear His love in the beauty of the setting sun.  Hear His joy with you in the power of an evening thunderstorm booming around your house.  Hear His forgiveness in the smile of a lost-found friend.  What does God long to hear from us?  Obedience, surrender, gratitude of spirit.  Practice praising God this summer.  His smile is overwhelming to your heart.”

            —-Pastor Edward H. Slate of Evart, MI UMC (reprinted from The Joyful Noiseletter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 CHURCH FAMILY UPDATE:

Please note the following changes/corrections:  
          r  Vince Pasquarello, 5311 Tivoli Ridge Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550.

 

ON VACATION:   Pastor Pete will be on vacation from May 20 through the 31st.  Marshall Lauen is available for pastoral needs May 20-24.  Don Ullrich will be available for pastoral needs May 25-31.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the church office (267-2599).

 

Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day!

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE KEEP the following people on our Prayer List

in your thoughts and prayers:

 Please pray for: church/associate members: JoAnn Montague, Marge Morris, Bill Gordy, Bev Ullrich, Carol Earles, Caroline Brown, Del Felker, Jane Moulton, Bill Covell, Pat Potter, Montie Montague, Leon Burkett, Mary Grubbs, Juanita Worlund, Ken Blanton, Warren Hines, Mary Jane Barone; friends & relatives: Kimberly Harrison, Sonia Wyrough, Andrew Fitch, Patricia Jones, Ben Cissell, Mark Justiss, Shirley Edwards, Edward Saylor, Leanne Andreas, Jerrett Sullivan, Lana Barley, Jack Ward, Harold Graham, Timothy McBrayer, Nancy & Bob Rowe, Louise Riley, Eric Blanton, Billy Benson, Vince Pasquarello, Louis Hettinger, Kenneth Chambers, Bill Chapman, Mary Hoover, Shirley Underwood, Jack Cranford III, Lynn Creek, Maurine Barbour, Jacob Murray, Ellen O’Connell, Heidi Miller, James & Sarah Persons, Coleen Clark, Glora Rundquist, Maria W. Catli, Lenah Robles, Krista Jasinski, Steve Jones & Family, Bob & Candace Walker & family, Bob Draper, Peggy Rogers, Rick Shanteau & family, Joy Wilson, Concha Solana, Mary Ellen Riehle, Pat Heinz, Tammy Jones, Frances Kilpatrick, the Gillard Family, Kevin Jones, Mason Cole Lauen, Wally Comegys, Rev. Del Paine, Florence Johnson, Leona Bolin, Will Donelson, Holleigh Tlapa & family, John Clark, Dick & Elinore Davidson, Chris Edwards, Ann Peebles, Leigh Gott, Wanda Hughes, Jane Dickson, Gary Knight, Hazel LaPierre, Russell Hensley, Freda Hosford, M. J. Miller, Sandy Graff.

Thanksgiving for prayers answered:  Brandy Baker, Jaden Hoekstra, Morgan Strickland, Rex Lysinger.

When a person wants to be taken off the Prayer List, please contact the Church Office and the individual's name will be moved to the "Thanksgiving List."  Remember, also, that our Prayer Chain is available for additional special focus and prayer.  Just call the Church Office (267-2599) for any special prayer requests.       GOD DOES ANSWER PRAYERS!!

 

 

 

...Harry Morris and family upon the death of his wife, Rose Morris.

...Peg Irvin and family upon the death of her husband, Terry Irvin.

...Jim & Barb Erion and family upon the death of Jim’s father, Arnie Erion.

 

 MEMORIALS/HONOR GIFTS

During late April and most of May donations were given to the church as follows:

In Memory of Terry Irvin by Crawford Sandefur, Judy LaMarche & Rob Stainback, Ray & Martha Jones.

In Memory of Rose Morris by Judy LaMarche & Rob Stainback, Ray & Martha Jones, Clyde & Betty Pascher.

In Memory of Betty Gordy by Clyde & Betty Pascher.

In Memory of Hal Shoemaker by Clyde & Betty Pascher.

In Memory of Arnie Erion by Clyde & Betty Pascher.

Remember our e-mail prayer service.  If you would like to be part of
this ministry, please e-mail Nancy Jo Willis at njw-srbcc@embarqmail.com
or call the church office (267-2599).

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

June 2—Howard Griffen, Genie Comegys
June 3—Mary Jim Mueller
June 5—Jane Mills
June 6—Hillary Hall
June 7—Robert Hendricks, Nancy Creekmore
June 8—Ron Faulk
June 9—Michael Hardy
June 10—Billy Walker, Larry Kunkel, Kelly Greer
June 11—Suzy Goff, Robin Lloyd
June 14—Stan Bates, Dorothy Graham, Carol
          Snyder
June 18—Dorothy Balchunas
June 20—Faith Parr
June 22—Charlie Earles, Howard Schloss
June 24—Ray Jones
June 25—Susan Hall
June 27—Jo Handley, Roger Hall
June 28—David Dubbell, Carol Shoemaker
June 29—Steve Barone
June 30—Gordon Ford, Betty Ross

 

USHERS & GREETERS IN JUNE

10:00 AM Worship Service

    May 4—Margaret & Robbie Rogers, Kitty Cottingham, Marion Peters,
               Steve & Mary Jane Barone.
    May 11—Rob & Carol Dickson, Ken & Dorothy Balchunas, Marie Starks, Judy LaMarche.
    May 18—Linda Davis, La Donna Wright, Roger & Susan Hall, Marty Dees, Doug McGinnis.
    May 25—Mike & Hettie Midgette, Jerry & Jay Geraldson, Rex & Jodene Lysinger

 If you would like to serve as an alternate on the ushers/greeters list, please call Margaret Rogers, Deacon of Worship & Music (267-6004) or Nancy Jo in the church office (267-2599).

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME & TALENTS

We thank the following individuals for assisting with activities & duties in June:

Card Ministry –  Betty Pascher
      Pew Maint.— Kay Hyde & Margaret Rogers
      Communion Servers (June 1) - Ushers
      Lay Readers - Mo Davis (6/1), Ken Balchunas (6/8), Robin Lloyd (6/15),
                          Lee Azzarello (6/22), Rex Lysinger (6/29)

 Thanks to everyone who helped with the showers
held here at the church in May.

 

FLOWERS FOR JUNE

 

June 1—Ken & Dorothy Balchunas                   June 22—Howard & Helen Griffen
June 8—The Mercer Family                             June 29—Clyde & Betty Pascher
June 15—Patty & Marland Thurston

We thank you for this beautiful expression of love and worship.  (If you provide flowers on the altar table on a given Sunday, please don’t forget to make your check for $50 payable to the church and drop it in the offering plate or by the church office.  If you are providing flowers for the side stand, that arrangement is $35.00.)   The Flower Chart for 2008 is posted in the hallway outside the church office.  If you would like to sign up for a specific date in 2008, please call Nancy Jo at 267-2599.  Thanks!

 

COMING IN WORSHIP

June 1st – 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Communion Sunday
Matthew 7: 21-29; “Building a Successful Life”

June 8th – 4th Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 12: 1-9; “Ultra Marathon Faith” 

June 15th – 5th Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 5: 1-8; “For Those Who Have Received Much”

 June 22nd – 6th Sunday after Pentecost
Matthew 10: 24-39; “Getting a Grip on Fear”

June 29th—7th Sunday after Pentecost
Marshall Lauen to preach.