GLAD TO BE HOME!

Janie and I enjoyed a week of vacation in the Smoky Mountains.  You may know that I am basically a “Disney kind of guy.”   I love me some mouse.  I have to tell you that the bears in the mountains have caught my attention.  I had one goal in mind for this vacation: to unplug and enjoy nature.  I did not want to go on any kind of ride, visit any kind of outlet, or be near anything that lit up and made unnatural noises.  So every day began with a good pot of coffee, relaxed quiet time, a hearty breakfast, and then a four hour hike somewhere to see a waterfall.  You can do that everyday, all day for as many days as you would like in the Smoky Mountains.  I did not know.  There are hundreds of trails…maybe thousands.  We accomplished the goal of just relaxing and unplugging.  The only thing I would think about on those mountain trails was if we had Janie recertified in CPR!

My thanks to our wonderful staff and many church members that picked up my responsibilities while I was gone.  I felt relaxed knowing you all had things under control. We are thankful for our staff and friends for graciously covering our bases.  We are looking forward to being back in the groove again.

We will be continuing our Sunday morning series through the Gospel of Mark.  I look forward to the verse by verse teaching through this powerful Word of God.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday, good Lord willing.

Pastor Tom

Lots Going On...

FELLOWSHIP HALL RENOVATIONS

The entire Fellowship Hall will be closed from Wednesday, May 9 until Tuesday, May 22.  We are in the process of renovating the fellowship hall.  We have completed the ceiling tiles and are now ready for the flooring.  This flooring is not the same as the tiles in the main hall way and atrium.  It is a different process and takes a little more time to “cure”.

Here are the particulars:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS:

 The fellowship hall will not be available for Wednesday night dinners on May 9^th or May 16^th.  We will still have Wednesday night ministries…just no dinners and no meetings or traffic in the Fellowship Hall.

SUNDAY ADULT BIBLE STUDY CLASSES IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL:

Rose Haselden’s and Fred Roark’s Sunday Bible Study classes will not be meeting in their class rooms on Sunday, May 13th or May 20th.  Those two classes could consider combining in the sanctuary/worship center for those two Sundays.  Your teacher will let you know where to gather.

CHINESE FELLOWSHIP:

The Chinese Fellowship will not be able to have worship, meals or meetings in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, May 13^th or 20^th.  They could meet in the Big Youth Room for their worship or join in the JIBC worship for those Sunday’s.

CHINESE SCHOOLS:

The Chinese Schools that meet on Sunday afternoon will not be able to use any of the Fellowship Hall areas on May 13^th or May 20^th.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY:

Celebrate Recovery will not be able to meet in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, May 13 or 20.  They will be meeting in the café.

THE SHORT VERSION:

No meetings, gatherings, classes, meals, activities of any kind by any group will be able to happen in the Fellowship Hall from Wednesday, May 9th until Tuesday, May 22^nd.

Thank you for your understanding.  We pray it will not hinder the progress of your making disciples.  We hope it will be an even more usable and lovely gathering place when the whole process is completed.   In less than two weeks, this should be over for the most part.  The painting and other parts should not be an interruption. 

Thank you again for your patience, understanding and prayers.

Pastor Tom