Kearney

Dear Saints Of Andrew:
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*THIS SUNDAYJune 25, 2006 Nancy Davis preaching8:00 & 10:45: “LIFE IS DIFFICULT, BUT GOD IS GOOD.”
9:15, VBS Celebration: “THE SNEETCHES."

*BAPTISMS, June 18:Ava Isabelle R.; Parents: Jason and Kristi
Karli Tegan P.; Parent: Kathi

*NEW MEMBERS, June 18: JENNIFER B., TRAVIS & RICCI N., DAVE & BETTY S.

*Vacation Bible School opened last night. We’re offering both morning and evening sessions. That’s very impressive. The church we served in Springfield had a terrific VBS, but it was a morning-only operation, which was a disappointment to some families, particularly those with working moms, who couldn’t arrange for their little ones to be there in the daytime. Let us deeply appreciate the commitment of Netta and her team in making Vacation Bible School accessible to a wide variety of family situations. I would add that, from what I understand, numbers are up this year, particularly in the evening session. That’s great news.

*GUYS BIBLE STUDY The Gospel According To Mark Monday Evenings, August 7, 14, 21 & 286:30-7:45 Led By Bruce D. There is no cost to this; the only book you need is a Bible, but we’ll appreciate knowing how many to plan for, so please RSVP via return e-mail.

*Fresh off our adventures in central and western Nebraska, I’ve started the book Nancy talked about a couple of Sundays ago, “The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived The Great American Dust Bowl.” The three nights in Kearney were memorable, if not necessarily for the Annual Conference, certainly for the weather. We arrived in what felt like gale force winds. Thursday night saw fierce lightening, driving rain and pounding hail. Earlier in the week, we have been in Scottsbluff. At the National Park Visitors Center, we were invited to imagine the dreary pioneer trek across the Great American Desert, punctuated by occasions of terror. Looking at the storm from the safety of our motel room In Kearney, I shuddered to think of those who made this crossing without the benefit of shelter.

*Speaking of such, on the opening night of Annual Conference, Bishop Sherer gave a fine sermon, using the underground waters of the Ogallala Aquifer as her central image. I suppose Nancy and I have set some kind of record in that this was our 13th Ann Sherer-led Annual Conference session. I have rarely encountered a human being with a better endurance for meetings than Ann Sherer. I mean that as a compliment. She can sit there through report after report after report, clearly tuned in to what is going on, exhibiting graciousness to each and every speaker and guest. I am not gifted with such endurance (such gatherings can be almost physically painful for me), but I have come to admire those who have it.

*Speaking of sitting and endurance, if you think “The Da Vinci Sermon” was long on Sunday, you should have seen it before I started the editing process. I had to leave some GREAT material out, including the Knights Templar and other interesting stuff from the era of the Crusades. “The Da Vinci Sermon” is posted on the church web site: www.standrewsomaha.net. Click on Sermons.

*PIZZA WITH THE PASTORS July 9, 5:00-6:30 Designed For People Interested In Moving Toward Membership At St. Andrew’s. Sign up at the Hospitality Desk in the Rotunda, or via return e-mail.

*Charlotte Mallott asks:
Prayers for Zach G., whose counts have dropped again, making it necessary to begin a new and very high risk treatment; pray for healing and protection.
Prayers of sympathy for the family of Inez M., in her recent passing (Eleanor D.’s sister-in-law). Prayers for Pastor Michael's aunt, hospitalized in serious condition, due to an auto accident. Prayers for Betsy C., hospitalized with Guillian Barre (friend of Gil & Nina H.).
Prayers for Kenneth C., who has walking pneumonia.

*Mark 4:35-41 When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
*BRD