It’s hard to believe, but our Missions Conference will be finished tonight. We have been blessed by the challenge and the preaching from God’s Word this week.

Tonight, Brother Mel Wingrove will share a special presentation with us, and Brother Ron Maggard will preach. Please be in your place tonight for this service. The Cordells had to leave last night for Chattanooga. Pray for their ministry.

Remember, tonight, after the service, we will have a time of food and fellowship for everyone who is here to say goodbye to Brother Maggard and the Wingroves.

I am posting links to listen to the “homegoing service” of Randy Ward. They will appear at the bottom of this post. If you let me know, I will “burn” a CD for you. The CD is much better quality than the ones here on the website.

Yesterday was an emotional day here at Grace. We said goodbye to one of the best men to ever be a part of this ministry. Over 300 people from the community (including around 20 teachers amp; 40 or so students) took part in remembering Randy Ward.

I wish to thank Bob Taylor for his wonderful organ playing, Karen Foltz for a great special in song, Bill Fors for seeing to it that the chairs were set up, and every other member of Grace who had a part in the service. So many prayed, gave, and made good food that I could not possibly remember them all. I understand some brothers and sisters from Valley Baptist in Edinburg also helped out.

I believe that I pastor the best group of people in the world. The love you showed to Bonnie and her family was just typical of the type of church you are. It may be “Pastor Appreciation Month”, but I appreciate the people God has privileged me to shepherd.

To listen to the service online or to download them, click on the appropriate link below:

Key to the links above:

1. Prelude Music
2. Prayer, Welcome, Obituary
3. Mrs. Diane Milliron (Bonnie’s sister)
4. Solo by Mrs. Karen Foltz
5. Scripture and memories by Pastor George Bowers
6. Congregational song - Amazing Grace
7. Mrs. Gina Stetter, principal of Peter Muhlenberg Middle School
8. Congregational Song - Victory In Jesus
9. Message by Pastor Dunham

Friday night we were blessed to host the Academy of Arts Drama Team from Taylors, SC. However, the young people who tour with the group are from Indiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Maine, Tennessee, & Louisiana. They presented “Creation, Evolution, and the Flood.” If you missed it, you missed a real blessing. The salvation message at the end of the presentation was wonderful!

I cannot say enough about the wonderful way they purported themselves. They are a great example of young people showing a servant’s heart and diligent work to “excel” for the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless the Academy of Arts, and Brother Chavers, you would have been pleased and “proud” of this team.

For more information about the Academy of Arts, visit their website.

Here are some pictures of the team:

The Entire 2008 Eastern Academy of Arts Team

A few families in our church received the double blessing of hosting some of these fine young people in their homes Friday night.

“Host” families saying goodbye to the team

The three wonderful young people that Pastor & Barbara had the privilege to host

Tags: Creation, Drama