The Liberty Bell
6
July/August 2009
Surgery Update
I want to thank everyone for their
prayers during this whole time of
discovery about my kidney tumor
and the implications it will have on
all of us.
I write this two weeks before my surgery
(July 6, 7 a.m.) at NIH in their National Can-
cer Institute. I need to go in for the prep work
on Sunday the 5th. I don't know how long the
surgery will be or how long I will be in the
hospital. They have encouraged me to con-
sider at least a month off before going back to
work, and then at a slower schedule at first.
We will see, your prayers for me when I'm in
recovery will be very important too. I'll keep
you posted, some have encouraged me to keep
a journal of my experience and I'll share that
with you as we go.
If I haven't told you personally, I am truly
blessed by the attendance at our prayer service
on the 10th. I never in my great imagination
would have thought that over 75 of you would
come to pray with me and lay your hands on
me for strength and healing. You are working
a miracle in my heart from that. To make mat-
ters more challenging, our dog Barkley is dy-
ing and adding to our grief and challenge. I
feel your prayers about that as well. I know
God is working all things together for good,
for those who love and serve him, it is just
hard to understand sometimes. We will gain a
fresh level of faith because of this. I know it's
because of your prayers for us.
Thanks to our Church Leaders
I am very grateful to our leaders who are
taking up responsibilities while I
am gone. Please pray for them
and give them you utmost sup-
port. I am very grateful too, to
Rev. Richard Hogue, for coming
up from South Carolina to cover
the Ulrich wedding on the fourth
and preach and lead worship on the fifth of
July. Thank you Richard. Also blessings on
the Ulrich family for their understanding and
cooperation in this crazy time for us all.
After years of praying for the building
plans, we are right on the edge of construc-
tion. You will see equipment and dust finally,
but that’s a good thing. Please pray for the
Building Committee and Mark Miller, our
fearless leader, during this process. It should
all be over by early next year.
“Staycation”
If “staycation” is the new term for what hap-
pens when you stay close to home in the sum-
mer time, don’t forget we are here all summer.
We have worship at 8:30 and 11 am. we have
the summer connection, which are opportuni-
ties to grow in faith in classes with friends
each Sunday at 9:30 am. Remember when the
kids say how bored they are, bring them to
church to see their friends on Sundays. If you
are blessed enough to go away, visit another
church of any flavor and bring us the bulletin
so we can learn good ideas from others. We
can’t think of everything! God is a God of va-
riety and creativity, just look around you, so
why not learn from others in creative worship.
If you do get away, even for a short week-
end, remember we have “Intersection” our
mid-week worship service for when you need
a boost for your spirit during the week, or
PREACHER
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