Pastor’s weekly newsletter | Nov. 22, 2019

We have returned from our 10 day cruise which was absolutely spectacular! I have attached a picture of us standing in front of the shops in St. Barth’s. On two nights we closed the dance floor down at midnight as we enjoyed the music. I even wore my kilt for the black tie optional nights and will be wearing it in March when we have our Scottish Celebration at our church. We are very happy to be back in Key West.

This Sunday is an historical Sunday as we begin a unique partnership with our Venture Out Friends in Cudjoe Key. This Sunday they will be bringing their choir (about 15 this week) to sing the anthem and the closing benediction. Dawn Laraway will be leading the choir and most of you already know Dawn as she attends our church every week when not at Venture Out. What a blessing to partner with another body of believers to enrich our worship experience and bring glory to God!

Our main office has now been completely renovated thanks to Doug Brown and his crew. I am attaching pictures for you to see as well as a picture of my office which was refurbished several months ago. We added some chairs for people to come into the office and sit down and relax to chat. Now on to the Fellowship Hall!

If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of someone, simply contact the church office. The cost per poinsettia is $6!

A reminder from our Stewardship Committee to either mail your pledge into the church by December 1 or bring your pledge card to the worship service on December 1. We will have baskets located at the ends of the aisle and after you partake of Holy Communion you can drop your pledge card into the basket and we will bless those pledges for the work of the Kingdom of God for 2020.

We have a Christmas luncheon on Sunday, December 8 after worship and we have a Christmas Conch Train Tour on December 10. Please be at the church by 6:45 and we will leave by 7 p.m.

This Sunday we will continue our Sunday School lesson on Abraham as he heads down to Egypt and tells everyone that this beautiful woman named Sarah is not his wife. What? Yes, it is a crazy story and we will unpack it on Sunday. In worship, I am preaching on the World’s Worst Bargain coming from the words of Jesus who said, “What does it profit a person if they gain the whole world yet lose their own soul.” What is a soul? Where is the soul? How do we nourish our soul?

As you know, Phil Hansen passed into eternity and if you would like to send a card to his wife, Ann here is her address:  Ann Hansen, 8728 Lake Riley Drive, Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317. Ann will be here in March for the entire month.

The weather here the last week has been the best in the country with cool breezes shooting past the salt ponds and right into our lives. I hope you are enjoying it!

We will send the sermon from this Sunday after worship and we will also video the new Venture Out Choir!