What a wonderful time of worship on August 10! We were blessed with more wonderful summer music with Lori Kobel playing a medley on piano and Barb Jobes adding her clarinet playing to Alice's organ prelude.

Most exciting was the way you all responded at both services to my request at the end of the sermon to share a time you felt particularly close to God. Most of you shared some very personal and moving stories. Thank you! And Praise the Lord!

"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim. . ." Paul goes on in Romans 10 to say "And how are (others) to hear without someone to proclaim (Jesus)?" It is hard for us to move beyond our close friends and to focus on other people who have not heard the Good News or heard an invitation to come share in worship. Paul went to the Corinthians "in weakness and fear and in much trembling" but was given power by God to share the news of faith. And you and I will also be given that same Holy Spirit!

As we remember the invitation of Jesus to "get out of the boat," Fred Oaks asks, "Which is more powerful in your present experience, the world's winds or the Lord's words?"

Great question. How you and I answer that question will determine who comes to worship, Sunday School, our programs, and who participates in our outreach this fall. Come join the great adventure!

Blessings, Jon