Around the congregation
On August 29th, a Baptismal service was held with three candidates. Following the worship service, the congregation moved to the home of the Greiner’s where the formal baptism was continued followed by a picnic lunch, fun and games. Just like the old days.
This summer our sanctuary has been filled with beautiful flowers provided by Pastor George and Christine Hausauer. What beauty it adds to our worship experience seeing all of God’s beautiful creations on the altar and railings. Experience tells me that Pastor George’s flowers come from his personal gardens tended by his loving spouse, Marian. She just has such good luck with flowers and vegetables. Christine also provides flowers from her gardens and gardens of her friends. The best part is that each week, our lucky congregation gets to go home with a beautiful arrangement of flowers for their homes. Kudos to our gardeners.
Speaking of flowers, Christine entered at least two of her designs at the Erie County Fair and placed third and fourth awards. Talent, talent and more talent. Chris enters her exhibits in the Fair each year and always wins one or more awards. A first this year was Sharon O’Connor, our amateur photographer who framed two photos to enter in the Erie County Fair and lo and behold, she won a blue ribbon for her color photo and honorable mention for her black and white contribution. Congratulations to Sharon for her first time win. She is stoked.
Nathan Putnam recently submitted a photograph of his pet, Gus (the dog) to The Most Adorable Pets in America and we just learned that Gus’s picture will be featured in this hard cover book. Congratulations to Nathan for submitting the picture and to Gus for his beautiful face.
Art Cornell would up in the hospital again in August for a two day stay. He says he has trouble breathing about every ten months and winds up in the emergency room by ambulance. Mike O’Connor, our resident Paramedic and First Assistant Fire Chief in Holland has the responsibility to answer these calls and get Art to the hospital. Art is doing better and he continues to be in our prayers to ease his mind and ask for healing.
Ron Settle also wound up in the hospital for a couple of days to be recharged (pacemaker). The doctors had some difficulty and to reinstall a new pacemaker and Ron must look forward to having the old one removed at a later date. This was to be a simple procedure that got somewhat complicated. By all means, keep Ron in your prayers that this problem can be resolved and resolved quickly and painlessly.
One of my relatives has shown up at the Renewal House. Lois has not seen the mouse but is seeing evidence that he or she was there. She called John G. for help to try and catch the little critter. We need John to get moving so that Lois doesn’t get her skin scared off. The relative lives under the sink we think – not sure. You know what they say, you see one, and there is probably a family there also. Lois may have to call for help from Hearts and Hands!
Speaking of John G., we haven’t seen much of him around his home this summer. Between traveling to Europe and gallivanting around, he has been playing golf very frequently. John also golfs with his German pals each week, at least that is what he says. His partner in crime is another retiree, Terry K. They have a standing weekly date somewhere in Silver Creek. Also Nathan and Taylor join the fun occasionally when the golfers travel around to the various courses to hone their skills. It must be nice to be retired and just go and go and go.
Have you noticed how nice the back of our church property looks? You can thank Terry Kunick and his riding mower. The back forty really looks good. I have also heard that Taylor gets down there and mows that back forty also. Thanks to you both.
Hope you are enjoying the summer worship services. The deacons really put some hard work into lining up worship leaders and Sue lining up special music. Some folks don’t like change and that’s ok, just make sure you tell Sally what you like and didn’t like about the set-up. She put some long hours into getting information into the hands of the worship leaders so they would be prepared.
Also if you missed the Wednesday night study on creation, you missed some really interesting material. Thanks again to our deacons who led the studies and did a really fine job and to Sue, our resident professor, who really had some good insight into the study of science and her experiences as a professor.
Here is a quote recently heard in the adult Bible study group: “The Holy Spirit stands outside encouraging and waiting. When you accept Jesus Christ as savior, He (the Holy Spirit) steps right into your heart to live and be your personal advisor forever. “ Can’t beat that even if you tried.
Plan ahead to attend our Harvest celebration on October 24th at 4:00 pm. , joint choir of First Baptist of Akron and our own Wales Center group also featuring Surrender and followed by food. I’ll be there with all my friends and relatives.
Catch you next month, The Church Mouse