Well howdy and good morning friends! Here we are in the middle of September and according to the weather prophets we're about to see quite a change this week. I am very much looking forward to Fall weather and all that comes with it. But, this month has also brought some of our church family the loss of loved ones, injuries, and recovering from medical procedures. So please remember to continue to lift one another up to the Lord in prayer.
In Romans 8:19 Paul wrote, "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God."
Eagerly waits! I love that phrase! Sounds like an oxymoron to wait "eagerly", but it's not. Think of a groom waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Eagerly waits! Imagine the parents of a child who is due to be born. Eagerly waits! Remember what it was like as a child waiting for Christmas morning. Eagerly waits! Yes, we know that experience and emotion, and that is what all creation — the cosmos so caught up with decay, disaster, and death — is doing right now! Eagerly awaits! And what is creation waiting for so eagerly? Our transformation and revelation as God's triumphant and glorious children when Jesus returns in all of his glory. Sounds pretty wonderful for a time and world like ours, doesn't it! So, on those bad days, disillusioning days, days of painful waiting, let's retrain our hearts to eagerly await the Lord's return, the healing of our broken cosmos, and our celebration of Jesus' victory.
Upcoming Events:
This September our Mission Focus would like to draw your attention to the work done at the Sturgeon Food Pantry. They are open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month and help provide food to those in need. If you would like to pitch in and be a blessing right here in our community here's a great opportunity. In talking with representatives from the food bank it appears their greatest need is paper goods. So, we'd like to start collecting paper towels, plates, napkins, tissues, etc for distribution. Please drop off donations on the table at the back of the pews by the door.
The 27th Annual Saddle up for Saint Jude Trail Ride is today! The ride starts at 10am and there is also a dinner and both a silent and live auction later today.
Tomorrow, after church we're having a Baby Shower for the Perrin family as they welcome their new baby boy soon! They are registered on Amazon if you are looking for gift ideas.
Also tomorrow afternoon the Crossroads Baptist Association is holding their Annual Meeting at 3pm at the First Baptist Church in Paris, MO. If you are involved and want to ride together please see Pastor Brook
We're having a Night of Worship - September 27th starting at 5pm at First Baptist Church Moberly. Members of our own Cowboy Band and other local musicians join together and share their talents and have a time to worship the Lord in song.
October is actually quickly coming our way, and bringing our monthly Potluck Dinners even closer. So please plan to join us for some food and fellowship Thursday evening after church on October 1st and SUnday after church on October 4th. It's always a great time and great food!
Our Annual Fun Show is scheduled for October 3rd this year. So mark your calendars and come on out. If you're riding we want to see you out there, and if you're not a rider let's get out and cheer one another on at this great event!
We are planning to have a Boots, BBQ & Buckaroos fundraiser October 10th in the form of a BBQ here at the church. This is open to all and we plan to have live music and some horses and ponies around to add to the fun. Flyers are available to that back of the church.
We're having a Round Pen Horse Training Demonstration October 24th with Stan Henderson and Kyle Jones from the Eastern Missouri Cowboy CHurch. I've had the chance to see this done before and believe that you'll both learn some things and be blessed as well.
The Missouri Baptist Convention is asking churches and organizations to conduct Crossover-type events in preparation for the annual meeting this October. Crossroads Baptist Association will be holding a Night of Preaching and Prayer on October 24th at Carpenter Street Baptist Church, where our churches can come together to be inspired by teaching from God's Word, followed by times of corporate and group prayer. Mark your calendars and get your churches ready for God to move mightily in our Association.
Labeled shoe boxes are available in the back of the church if anyone would like to start packing their boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The collection date will be the first week of November. A shoebox shopping table with supplies is set up in the back once again and the labeled shoe boxes are stacked up under the table. We plan to have two Church Packing Parties on October 11th and 18th over in the building in Clark. If you want to be more involved in preparations and packing please talk with Kathy Kurth.
There will also be an OCC Mission Trip to Aurora, Illinois over Friday to Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend to help process shoeboxes. It is for volunteers 13 and over. If you want more info on that please check with Kathy.
Saturday November 7th is a Fall Open House at Camp Cedar Crest. This is where our youth have been going, and countless others have gone for generations! They are planning to have a pig roast, live music, hay rides, kids fishing derby, and more.
Fun Horse Stuff: Have Fun: Training horses should be enjoyable for both you and your horse. Make sure to keep your sessions light and fun and your horse will be more likely to enjoy them.
*********
