Sunday August 2

Hello my peoples...

I love you and thank God for you daily. Just wanted you to know that if I haven't told you enough already, consider yourself told once more. :)

Here's what on tap for this week:

Praise and Worship:
Freedom (I wanna shout a little louder...)
Blessed Be Your Name
Freedom Reigns
At the Cross (I bow my knee, where your blood...)

Choir song: We will sing "How Precious is the Blood" for communion and "I Feel the Rain" for the offering. Cathy Torres has solo on "How Precious is the Blood" and Ashley Ruiz has solo on "I Feel the Rain". We will do "I Feel the Rain" if Ashley is back from vaca by Sunday and if not I will be replacing it with "We Lift You Up". Either way it will be a great Sunday. (But I'd really like you to pray that the Ruiz's mosey on back from New York, ha ha!)

Colors for Sunday: Black and Red

Let's make an effort to be extra sharp on Sunday -- I'm having some VERY SPECIAL GUESTS with me on Sunday, to be announced at rehearsal...so stay tuned.

If for some reason you will not be there Sunday, I need to know ASAP. Other things to note:

• This Sunday the youth will have a food fundraiser after morning service to help them get to fine arts next week. Be sure to stop by in the breezeway and get something to financially help our kids get to competition.
• Next choir lunch and rehearsal is August 9. Candy will contact you about a food item and please give her your attention and cooperation! Thanks.
• As you all now know, missions convention is August 30 and our special guest is my dear friend, Pastor Walter Nyangweso from Kenya. We want things to be extra special for his time with us. We are working on music for the convention on August 9 and 23 at our rehearsals. Please make plans to be at the services for the convention at 10:30 and 6 pm for the banquet.

Love you all...........stay prayed up and ready for a great week in God!

Sunday, July 26

It's so good to be back home to her, and to YOU!!!

Thanks for such a warm reception back on Sunday. It's so good to be back home and the choir luncheon was wonderful! You all are such a delight.

Here is what is on the schedule for this week:

Praise and Worship:
Blessed Be Your Name
Days of Elijah
Your Name
Mighty to Save

Choir Song: "He's Been Good" (from Obvious)

Colors: Your choice this week!

Just FYI if you were not at rehearsal Sunday I made an announcement that all the background check forms have been mailed for the prison and we are just waiting for everyone to get their clearances to schedule a date to go minister. So finally this will be soon upcoming! Yay!

Also, I will fill you in later as to why but for right now please tentatively mark August 30 as a special date, both Sunday morning and Sunday night. If some things are confirmed this week that we are planning, that will be a very special day that I need you all in a big way.

Let's be in prayer for great things from God this week in our services. Also please continue to pray for Cathy Garland's mother, Debbie Bridges.

Love you all!

I'm coming baaaaaaacccckkkkkk!

Photo above gives you an idea what I've been doing while away from you...

When you read this, I probably won't be back to Tampa unless you are reading it late on Saturday night. But on Sunday, I will!!

I am so excited to see you. I've missed you. We have been having fun on the family "childhood tour"! I heard that Pastor George and everyone who led the service yesterday did a FANTASTIC JOB! I had no doubt they would. But I'm going to be glad to get back to you. There's nothing like home! Saturday night we worshipped at National Community Church in Washington, DC. It was an experience we wanted the kids to have. And, it was an awesome one! But like I said, there's nothing like home.

So, what's happening in worship this week?

Worship songs:
We Declare Your Glory in This Place
Come on and Give the Lord the Highest Praise
Lift Up the Name of Jesus
Give Us Clean Hands
Let Your Glory Fall in this Room

Choir Song: "We Lift You Up" (Bonnie directing)

Colors: Black and Pink

Don't forget this Sunday is CHOIR LUNCH AND REHEARSAL! Yaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!! Somebody shout NOW! So excited. We haven't had a practice in a while, so I can't wait. If you have not already connected with Candy about what you are going to bring, PLEASE DO SO. Her email address is: candy33615@hotmail.com

I can't wait to see you and experience a great time in the Lord together this weekend. Love you!!

Sunday, July 12

This coming week, it's imperative that everyone be at rehearsal, ON TIME and ready to maximize every moment. Things will be different as Pastor George (pictured at right with his wife Irene at our recent beach day) will be leading you this week and it will be his first time working with you for a whole set. I encourage choir members to be there earlier than normal so that you are prepared for all that will take place. Please help Pastor George in making this day AWESOME as far as it depends on you!!!

Worship Set:
Lord, You Are Good
Glorify Your Name (Tu Presencia...)
My Savior's Love (Chris Tomlin version)
God of this City

Bonnie Stewart will be directing the choir this week, with the song being, "Rain Down On Us." Thanks for cooperating with Bonnie to make the choir song powerful this week!! Be sure to let her know if for any reason you are going to be absent this week, and ASAP.

You will need time to rehearse the set with Pastor George, AND the choir song with Bonnie. There will also be a human video presented on Sunday AM which might require a run through as well. All that to say...maximize the moments and be on time.

Colors for Sunday morning are your choice, just stay within dress code and remember, no b's, b's, b's, or b's! :-)

I am counting on all of you to come prayed up and ready for God to do something great! I miss you already, but I can't wait to hear what takes place. Please pray for my family and I for safe travel and a blessed time. This is our first time away with all of us together in over two years so I am really cherishing this time. :-)

I love and appreciate all of you.

p.s. Don't forget our next choir luncheon/practice is Sunday afternoon, July 19th. Candy will be contacting all of you about food. Mark this on your calendars!!! We have a lot to do!!!