Monday, April 27, 2009

Happy to have dirty fingernails

I have a confession.

There's dirt under my fingernails.

And under my toenails. And in my ears....

Yes, I've had a shower today. But I can't seem to scrub enough to get rid of all of the dirt. That's because I spent most of the day hoeing, and raking, and planting at the church garden. It was hard work. It was also one of the best Saturdays I've had in a long time.

There is something invigorating about digging in the soil. There is something wonderful and exciting about planting tiny seeds knowing that they will soon be big, green plants laden with yummy crops (fingers crossed). And there is something sweet about working alongside members of our church family.

In fact, that's my favorite part of the church garden. I love getting to know folks that I don't normally run into in service or Sunday school. We talk about vegetables. We talk about the weather. We talk about ministry. And we look forward to a shared harvest. It's what community gardens are all about.

If you're looking for a way to get plugged in at NHBC, we'd love to have you work alongside us. You'll get all the fresh veggies you can pick and we'll get the pleasure of getting to know you better. That is, if you don't mind a little dirt.

Monday, April 20, 2009

My Favorite Time of Year

I absolutely love this time of year!

Probably not for the reasons that you're thinking about-like the beauty of Springtime; warmer weather; baseball games; cook-out's; bike rides, etc.

I LOVE VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!

The time has finally arrived to prepare for my most favorite ministry of the year! Our VBS Kick-off volunteer meeting was April 19 (yesterday) and we are looking forward to the week long event that is scheduled for June 8-12 from 9am-12pm.

Please make plans for your children (ages 4 years old-6th grade) to join us for this awesome week! We have a blast: games; Bible-learning centers; high-energy Worship Rally; craft work; music class and a time to be with friends while learning Bible truths!

The National Heights web page has all the information and a way for you to register your children on-line for our VBS.

Don't miss the VBS train ride-Boomerang Express where It All Comes Back to Jesus!!
God loved us and sent His only Son, Jesus. 1John 4:9.

Monday, April 13, 2009

The Church-Wide Community Garden

The church-wide community garden is coming along. After weeks of preparing the soil and picking up oodles of rocks, we have planted a couple of rows of onions and four rows of cabbage. I wanted to plant carrots and radishes last week but the weather didn't cooperate. Perhaps this week will go better.

We have had two tillers donated. One still needs a little work but the other should be running with no problem as soon as I am able to pick it up.

We have scheduled another work day and I hope we have good weather for it. It will be on April 26th from 10 am to 12 noon. We will meet up by the garden behind the bus barn and talk a little and work a little. Perhaps we will be able to get everything in the ground that needs to be planted right now.

If you haven't been a part of the community garden and would like to, we would love to have you. Come by the meeting or talk with me to get more information.

This is a great opportunity to do ministry by working to take care of each other and meet the needs of those around us.

If it is raining on the 26th we will still meet but in the youth room.

See you there.

Permanent Holiday

I always look forward to holidays. I suppose it goes back to my days in elementary school when we saw those golden words on the board - school holiday next week. I, along with every other student (and, I suspect, most of the teachers and administration), looked forward to time away from the work of school. The end of the holiday, however, brought a sense of resignation - back to the old grind. I always wished we could find a way to have a permanent holiday.

Easter makes for an exciting holiday. Families gather, attending worship services around the world, celebrating the Resurrection. Churches overflow with young and old hearing the exiting news "He Is Risen." (Mark 16:6). Every year, I think to myself, "Why can’t we have Easter every week?"

Then I remember - we do! Every Sunday when believers gather to worship, it is a celebration of the Risen Savior. That is the nature of the eternal life Jesus provides - it never ends! Join me in making every day a holiday. Celebrate the fact that "He Is Risen, Indeed!"