Saturday was "National Coming Out Day"and what a great day it was! It began early at the church with a record number of people busy cleaning inside and working on the grounds outside. At noon we headed downtown for the Come Out Pensacola! luncheon at the Civic Center. It was a great opportunity to network with other non-profits and leaders in our community.
If you are not a member of Gulf Coast TIDE, please visit their website and join. The fee is minimal and there is strength in numbers so let's help get their numbers up.
Saturday evening we hosted the Come Out Pensacola worship service. It was the first time our Praise Team was a part of that service. In addition to the beautiful music by them, Michael Losee directed the community choir and what a sound he pulled out of them! We were also blessed with an inspiring message from Rev. Jamie Sanders, Spiritual Director at Unity of Pensacola and a calming meditation from Rev. Beth Bilott, from Unity Gulf Breeze. As I sat and enjoyed the service I gave thanks to God for two very dear friends. Sometimes it can feel lonely with no other MCC's in our city, but Beth and Jamie graciously fill that void by being my colleagues and my friends. I noticed a few new people in church on Sunday that attended the service the night before so it was worth all of the effort.
Sunday was full of surprises for me and the congregation! It was Laity Sunday. In case you are not familiar with that term, it means "people of God". The main difference between laity and clergy is that the clergy do the Lord's work for a living; most lay people volunteer. MCC has a long history of lay ministry; we believe in the priesthood of all believer's so it's always a joy to honor the laity in October.
This year I asked John Valentino, a former member of Holy Cross MCC, to bring the message. Little did I know he was orchestrating most of the service. Although it ran a little long and the burning of the sage caused a few people breathing difficulties, I have received a number of e-mails and calls about how that message really spoke to some folks who really needed it. So, to those of you who did not care for that service just remember, you cannot have your favorite meal every Sunday! It was some other folks turn. I assure you things will go back to "normal" this Sunday so be sure to be here if you can.
And what about the Benefit Concert? That was just way cool. Not to mention we raised $850.00 to purchase risers for the Choir and Praise Team. Just in case that is not enough, we have a generous donor who is willing to pay the difference between what we raised and what we need.
God is good and so are God's people. If you missed the concert, you missed a real treat.
So it was a wonderful and busy weekend. And already we are busy getting ready for this weekend when we will have our Yard Sale, Pet Blessing and FROG Fest....Fully Relying on God. The weather is great and there will be something for everyone so be sure to stop by on Saturday.
With all of the bad news on TV, radio and in the newspapers and magazines, it is important for us to remember that God is still in control. Nothing is going to happen that we cannot handle with the help of God. Resist the urge to worry and fret as neither of those things will make things any better. Continue to put your trust in God and keep feeding your heart and mind the Word of God so you will not be overtaken as so many are.
I'll close with this scripture from Psalms 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble."
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