Pastor’s Ponderings
“Series Finale”
Series Finale! We see those words and we know the end is near. When a television show concludes, the network will hype the final episode, and usually that chapter will have a large audience, sometimes the largest viewership of any installment. On February 28, 1983, the final show of M*A*S*H aired and set records that may never be broken. “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” was watched by 77% of the television viewing audience (by comparison, the Super Bowl is watched by about 50%). It portrayed all of the characters departing after the end of the Korean War. We have a series finale at Calvary Baptist Church. Both the Wallace and Rose families are moving on to new ministries. Please take time to read their articles. It was Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet” who penned the line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow.” This is a time of sweet sorrow. Calvary has grown to love these two families and has been greatly blessed by them. Solomon wrote, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” We don’t enjoy times like this, but they are inevitable. What can we do now? Let me give you three recommendations. 1) Pray. Pray for the Wallace and Rose families as they get involved in new ministries. Pray for Calvary. As Paul was encouraging the Ephesian church to pray for certain people he added, “And for me!” Please keep me and my family in your prayers as I seek God’s guidance. 2) Participate. We have many holes that need to be filled. I am grateful for the huge majority who have stepped up and said, “What do you need me to do?” Sunday night, July 7, I will expound on the areas where help is needed, but so many of these jobs have already been filled by willing and able individuals. 3) Be Present. Make every service possible. Our new AM schedule begins July 7. Sunday school is at 9:30 and worship service for everyone is at 10:30. Come back on Sunday evenings! Make Wednesday service a regular meeting time for you. Now is not the time to go wobbly. As we keep Jesus Christ in His rightful place, God will bless, and we will see many more victories here at Calvary Baptist Church. ******************** In my ongoing series, I present two more reasons Thom Rainer gives for “Why I Attend Church.”
- I attend church with frequency, not on occasion. It is my prayer to be in my church every Sunday. When I am out of town, I can find another church to attend. I pray I will never say, “I need a break from church.” I certainly don’t want God to take a break from me.
- I attend church to set an example for my family. Couples have healthier marriages when they attend church. Children grow up with countless benefits because their parents took them to church. I need to show the importance and priority of church attendance to those I love.
******************** I’ve mentioned it already, but keep in mind the new church service times. Sunday school is now at 9:30 and the morning worship for all is at 10:30. I am especially grateful to the early service crowd. They will be affected the most by this, but all have said they will be there. One sweet lady (who shall remain anonymous) said with a mischievous grin, “I not sure I like this, but I’ll be there.” We are also adding an 8:45 prayer meeting beginning this Sunday morning. We will gather in the College & Career room and be finished promptly at 9:00. ******************** What would July be without Vacation Bible School. We have special times planned for prep work on July 7. VBS is July 15-18, and we hope to see you and your children there! This month, of course, we also celebrate the birth of our nation. What a blessing it is to live in the USA and enjoy freedoms that so many do not have! ******************** I have asked from the beginning for you to pray for me and my family in five areas. Thank you for doing so, and please continue to plead with God that I would have: 1) Courage 2) Wisdom 3) Strength 4) Victory 5) Vision