August 4 – “Old friends, new needs”

It was great to see some old friends at church yesterday.  Carri and Emily, Seasiders who now live in Kerrville, were back for a visit.  They are the ones we missed seeing when we were there on vacation.  I didn’t have their phone number.  In fact all I had was Carri’s Facebook info, and she didn’t check her page until we were already gone.  Emily told me she wasn’t going to let Mom forget that.  The other guests were from much longer ago.  Jeff was in the youth group of the church we were at in Denver.  His wife Alicia was on the basketball team I coached up there.  They now have three beautiful girls who they were taking on their very first cruise.  They were really excited, so I hope they have a good experience.  Alicia is quite the Facebooker, so I imagine we’ll be seeing some of their vacation photos.

The new adult Bible study and the worship service were both quite lively.  Lots of interaction during the teaching, even from some of the new visitors.  Sounds like one of the guys will be checking out our home group this week as well.  We do have one problem coming soon.  Our worship leader Jimmy told me that as he begins some of his more difficult pre-med classes, he will probably have to bow out as worship leader.  Now that will be a big hit for us to absorb.  He grew up at Seaside, and has done a remarkable job, first as the shy, sit-on-the-front-row-with-his-back-to-the-congregation bass player, and then as the full-blown crafter of worship.  I know he’s not gone yet, but I already miss him.  Guess this means we need to get in high gear with praying for the next person God has in store for us. 

And speaking of the next person, at our last discernment meeting we talked about beginning a search for another staff member to do work in family ministry, specifically with youth and children.  Not sure what that will end up looking like, but I am really excited about that one.  God has been sending us lots of families with children lately, so a staff member who could own that ministry would be invaluable right about now.  Anybody have any leads? 

Psalms 92:1-3 says, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.”

Father, give the Morgan family a safe trip back to Kerrville, the Carter family a safe and fun cruise, and please show us your direction on a worship/family ministry person for Seaside.  Amen.