Dear Members and Friends of the Dalton First United Methodist Church -

 

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

 

Paul Nixon, writing in I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church!, quotes German theologian Jurgen Moltmann, "Where Jesus is, there is life.  There is abundant life, vigorous life, loved life and eternal life.  There is life-before-death.  I find it deeply disturbing and unsettling whenever I think about how we have become accustomed to death - to the death of the soul, to death on the street, to death through violence - to death-before-life." 

Precious Lord, let me be about life - eternal life, starting right now.  Let me live the abundant life.  Through the presence of your Holy Spirit, Lord, keep the things of this world from robbing me of life with you.  Let me not get so caught up in this world that I miss the eternal in the temporal, the infinite in the finite, the hope that exists even within bodily death.  Lord, for 2,000 years your church has been a witness to life.  My prayer, dear Lord, is that each member and each ministry of this church would not only experience life but share the life and hope of your Son to a dying and broken world.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

My Mother came through the surgery very well last week.  We are not sure what comes after this, but we praise God for the blessings in our life.  In addition, I ask you to keep Billy Beard's Mother in your prayers as well.
Sunday afternoon I met with the Evangelism Team and last night I met with the Endowment Committee.  I am learning more and more about our church.  At this point in the ministry, I simply want to be a sponge and soak up Dalton First UMC until the ministry of the church is a full part of me. 

This afternoon I meet with the Stewardship Committee.  In the next few weeks, you will hear more and more from us about investing your time, talents and finances in this mutual endeavor we call Dalton First UMC. 
Tomorrow night we start our Wednesday night activities.  I am excited because we have not had that experience here at Dalton yet.  Everything is still very new to Kathy and me. 

As you learn more about me, you will learn I am a man who likes a rhythm to his life.  At this point, I am still looking for that rhythm at Dalton - how the week goes, the normal schedule, etc.  Of course, there are always exceptions to the rhythm - and that is ok and expected.  However, I do need my rhythm, Lord - help me.

Are you supposed to have this much fun, serve the Lord and get a paycheck to boot?  I love my work.  I love Dalton First UMC.  I know someday I will have a tough day at church, but so far it has been amazing!  However, it will be ok when the tough day comes - that is part of the rhythm of life as well.

God bless.
      
See you Sunday!