Our last 10 days at Clinton FCC

As we move toward the end of July, our time with this most special church is drawing to a conclusion. Thank you so much for your love and prayers during this transition time! Thank you so much for loving your church! Most important of all, thank you so much for Loving the Lord unconditionally and Loving people without apology! This morning, I need to remind you of several upcoming opportunities and events, and also share some personal thoughts as I reflect on ministry at FCC.

Reminders . . .

** This Sunday July 28 - ONE service Sunday at 9:30am - NO programming at 8:15 or 10:45 - I'll be sharing my final message as a ministry staff member at FCC: "The Church is NOT about ME . . . and it is NOT about YOU!"

** Sunday morning August 4 - Jody Owens from Johnson University will be our guest speaker and teacher and simply put, he one of the very best! I have been personally blessed by Jody's teaching through the Spiritual Formation Retreat I have attended the past three years in the Smoky Mountains and you will as well on August 4!

** Tuesday August 6 will bring the Area Men's Fellowship at Clinton FCC. Just a quick reminder - we are now hosting two of the Area Men's gatherings each year - January and August and the Area Men's Fellowship exists to support Little Galilee Christian Camp. On the 6th, new Executive Director Rob Shoaff will be bring the message and Kathy Wickenhauser and her team are preparing an incredible meal!

** Sunday August 18 - Little Galilee Connections Event - enjoy the pool, the zip line and the Gage and Ryan Food Truck - the fun begins at 12:30pm and EvERYONE is welcome and invited!

** August 23-24 - Spiritual Disciplines Retreat at the Chiara Center near Springfield - look for more info in the weeks that follow or reach out to Susan Klein, Becky Glenn or Rachel Emery - I love this 24 hour retreat - why not consider giving it a shot?

Personal Thoughts . . . 

** I'm sure thankful for my wife Marla and my children Jordan and Peyton - they blessed me on Friday night with a surprise 50th birthday party and to say I was stunned is an understatement! I am so thankful for those that wasted a Friday night blessing me, and cannot believe how full my cup really is. It was precious beyond words to have the four of us together for 24 hours this weekend!

** I'm so excited about two new ministry staff additions: Pete Cocco begins next week as Interim Lead Minister at our church and Dinelle Frankland will begin September 1 as a part time Worship and Music Minister, preparing and leading our 8:15am service, as well as our Adult Choir. FYI - choir practice will begin on Wednesday September 4. This goes without saying, but can I implore you to go the extra mile in bringing encouragement and support to both Pete and Dinelle as they begin ministry at FCC?

** I taught my final Faith Builders SS class yesterday and it was certainly bittersweet. I have been blessed to teach this class most Sunday mornings since the summer of 2009 - ten years! I'm so thankful for so many that love to study God's word and encourage one another in the Lord! I will really miss teaching this weekly gathering!

** Trust Your Leaders - that was the sermon yesterday - my prayer is simple: this will become reality at Clinton FCC as we move into this time of transition.

** Our home in Chestnut - as we begin our last 7-8 days living in the Geo center, I'm reminded how many memories and special gatherings have taken place over the past 20 years on West North Street. We arrived in 1999 a family of three and we leave as empty nesters with two adult children and a son-in-law. We watched our kids grow up here. We have done life here for two decades. We will really miss this home! And we really want to sell it! Please pray.

Blessings to each of you - see you Sunday at 9:30am!

GT