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September 5, 2008
Dear Fellow Americans, er…sorry, Dear Passwordites, J Yes, I have been watching too many political speeches in the last few weeks. I like the American political process. And yes, I do know that it is not perfect and that it can be boring and that there may be times when it is even corrupt. But the only other political process I am really familiar with is what we experienced in Haiti during the late 1980’s where they got rid of presidents by taking a gun and shooing (and yes, sometimes shooting) them out of office, usually along with some of their followers and then putting one of themselves in power – at least until someone stronger or with bigger guns came along. And while they did this the whole country would shut down for days, no traffic could run, markets could not open, schools would be shut, the whole country would simply go on strike and come to a standstill. It was utterly confusing and rather bewildering and definitely unsafe. It was called a “de-shouke”, throwing the current government out of power and putting in a new one. We lived through five regimes in the four years we lived in Haiti and became used to men in khaki colored uniforms stopping our vehicles and other times local vagabonds doing the same thing. We stayed neutral and invisible as much as possible, at least as invisible as our terribly white skin could be in a practically totally black nation. I am shaking my head as I remember these things…I am old and wise now and know enough to understand I should have been scared. But then I was young and adventuresome and mostly felt invincible. The American embassy located in Port au Prince was supposed to know where we were if the need came to evacuate us but the reality of the situation was that when everything closed down, it was literally everything and we knew that they could no more reach us than we could reach them. And living on a good day, three hours from Port and not having phones or radio or any other form of communication we learned to simply stay put and pray a lot. Which brings me back to America….It could be a lot worse, folks. Really. It doesn’t matter which side of the aisle you sit on, or how much hype we all have to live through, come November you won’t have to be scared that someone will shoot you on the way to the polls or that life will come to a standstill because we have changed Presidents. The process we are going through is not perfect and occasionally it can even be annoying but it is infinitely better than many. Thankfully, today Haiti is more stable than it once was; its growing pains are not over but it continues to learn how to do democracy. Just as we do. So a little patience, please as we work our way through the messy process of everyone having their say and allowing all voices to be heard. God bless the USA.
Announcements:
The Church’s Stewardship and Property Management commission is looking for a volunteer to do the hand mowing around the Church property. It takes approximately one and a half to two hours to do this each week. If you are interested please call the Church office at 944-9608 or email Pastor Kim at kbshifler@comcast.net. Thank you.
Saturday, September 6th. 8:00 Men’s Breakfast.
Sunday, September 7th. Teacher Appreciation Sunday. Come and have breakfast with us during the Sunday School hour at 9:15 as we recognize and honor our teachers. The message this morning at 8:00 and 10:30 is titled, “Fat Baby”
Monday, September 8th. Men’s Group Begins. Office Building.
Sunday, September 14th. 10:00 Fall Kick Off. Fellowship Hall. One combined service at 10:00. Brunch following. Baptismal Service…If you wish to be baptized, please see Pastor Kim. Come see who we are, what we do. A great day to invite your friends and family.
Wednesday, September 17th Wednesday Night Live Resumes! Supper at 5:45, classes at 6:35. A brief look at our Adult Classes:
Adult Bible Study, led by Pastor Randy, Bim Mowrer Mugs and Muffins, studying 1 and 2 Peter, led by Mary Brandt Heroes and Villians of the Bible, led by Mark Hofsass and Tom Guenther Christian Finances, led by Gus Burghdorf Quilting 101, led by Pat Mueller Experiencing God, led by Pastor Kim
Thursday, September 18th. Seniors Alive! Luncheon at 11:30. Sorry, folks, you have to be at least 65 to get on this ride. Unless of course, your spouse is at least 65 or you are bringing someone who is at least 65…..Bim cooking, Pastor Randy bringing the devotional this month.
Sunday, September 28th. Inside Out Sunday. The Church leaves the Building! Sign up sheets in narthex…come help us Be the Church.
Sunday, October 5 World Wide Communion Sunday
Prayer Requests:
Ethel Sload is in Hershey Med, having suffered a slight stroke. Please remember Miss Sload in your prayers.
Our condolences to the family of Darrell Boldosser who died this week. Please remember the Boldosser family in prayer.
And our condolences to the family of Margaret Welsh. Mrs. Welsh died yesterday about noon time from a massive brain hemorrhage.
Kara Shifler’s passport was returned to her today from the Swedish consulate. This means that she will probably leave for Sweden sometime next week. Keep her in your prayers, please.
Enough. May your weekend be filled with friends and family and God. May you remember that you have been blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. And may you always remember that to whom much is given much is required.
Blessings, Pastor Kim
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