So here is your chance to report what you would like to see at Mt. Oak. Throw out some ideas and lets talk about them. If any ideas get support we could take them to Church Council and see what they think.
Mt. Oak and Friends,
As I end my second day on the job, I wanted to make sure you knew many of you individually and all of your collectively were in my prayers. I also wanted you to know that, unless you have already told me you would be away, I would love to see all the rest at worship Sunday. First impressions are so important and of course, I was told the honeymoon was over at noon on July 1st, so you wouldn’t want to miss the honeymoon – lol (laugh out loud). I asked if the honeymoon would last past the reception Sunday afternoon but I’m not sure I was given that extension.
If you cannot make it this week, please try and attend as often and as soon as you are able (I know the mission team is out for the first two Sundays).
Blessing to you and if you are at the Baysox game tonight, maybe we will run into each other.
Your Pastor and Friend,
Rev. Ray
Our mission team has left for Northern Ireland. Keep up with their mission trip by going to this site: http://mtoak.org/youthmission/. They were really excited this afternoon as Carolyn and I saw them off (along with a number of others from Mt. Oak). If you hear anything from the team, leave a note here and I will include it! Blessings!
Tonight was an awesome night with the men from Mt. Oak - my first monthly meeting. It was an awesome meal, awesome worship and knowing that 50 plus men came out as we began our journey together lifted my spirit. How about some thoughts about our Men's meeting Monday night? Are there any to share? Let us encourage others to join us next time.
So tell me the best thing about Mt. Zion! Let's list the best things about Mt. Zion and see how many things we can list.
I'll start out with: Mt Zion is a place I have always felt welcome.
So tell me the best thing about Mt. Oak! Let's list the best things about Mt. Oak and see how many things we can list.
I'll start out with: Mt Oak is a place you can call home.
The honeymoon period is a special time. When a couple marries they are so full of idealistic thoughts and plans. They are going to have the perfect marriage, the perfect children, the nice home in the nice community. And all of this is going to just happen and they will live happily every after. You jump out of bed to brush your teeth before you say good morning. You never come to bed with curlers. You try to keep yourself fit and looking good! You're out to please the other person with everything you do, looking for ways to be together and live in Camelot!
Our marriage has been announced and we have had preliminary meetings, but the wedding is July 1st and the honeymoon I'm told will last till noon on that same day! We are not perfect partners (although I think God has called us together for some very good reasons we are not perfect). Can you remember the first time you realized your partner had morning breath or bed hair (did you know you did too)?
First impressions are important and we will try to have our best foot forward I'm sure. I come to Mt. Oak with three goals in the first few months: to preach the Word of God, to love the people and to build relationships. I also believe that we can deal with our issues in love and I pray that the excitement we feel pre-marriage will stay with us as we develop a partnership that will please God. We can be the disciples of Christ and reach others with His saving grace.
Let the marriage begin! Let the balloons fly! Let the Spirit fall! May God be giving all the glory! Remember the words of John the Baptist - John 3:30 - He must become greater; I must become less. It isn't about us it is about Jesus!
Saying goodbye is never easy. In this day and age I often think of the soldiers going to Iraq or some other hostile place. Their wives/husbands/families grieve their departure not knowing whether they will ever see their loved one again. They go off to defend freedom, to respond to the call of their jobs.
I pray this saying goodbye isn't like that one. We are still living in Harwood in our home (praise the Lord for such a blessing not afforded most clergy). We are not going to some far off land (Mt. Oak is in Eastern PG County near Crofton, the church is only 14 miles door to door from our home). And although the church and office complex have alarm systems, I don't fear for my life (unless my jokes don't go over well).
Saying goodbye is never easy though. Our nearly 24 years as pastor and our family's 54 plus years together make MZ and the McDonald's forever linked. It will take a long time for me to adjust to saying Mt. Oak instead of Mt. Zion. I hope the people at Mt. Oak are as loving and forgiving of my short-comings as you have been.
I love you all and will miss standing in your midst and sharing my heart for Jesus and His Word for us. Come and visit sometime or say hello when you see me in the community. Blessings and peace to you all.
Posts
All Comments
