Notes from Sunday - 2/8/09

Sunday was a really good day of worship and fellowship.

As late as Saturday night, I was not sure if I would be able to preach Sunday morning. I had been suffering with a cold for most of last week. And it seemed to get worse Saturday. I hardly got any sleep. But when it was time for me to get up, I felt that there the Lord was not going to let me off the hook. So I got up and started my Sunday morning preparations. I had a sore throat, a stuffed up nose, congestion... the works. But, amazingly, when I stood up to preach, the Lord gave me strength to carry out my assignment. God is faithful.

Another Sunday, another wonderful session in the New Members Class. I am really enjoying teaching this class.

I preached from the Sermon on the Mount - "What Are You Worried About?" (Matthew 6:25-34).

For the record, this is the second straight week I have took a detour away from the scheduled series of messages that I had planned to preach. But these past two weeks, I have such a heavy burden to preach messages that will encourage the members of SMBC during these difficult times.

The songs of praise our choir sang ministered to me in a great way. It's a joy to partner with them in ministry and to be able to preach after they have ministered in song.

Our children's choir sung during our 10 AM service. What a blessing!

We briefly paid tribute to our Minister of Music, Dr. Roger Sears. This weekend was his birthday and the 25th anniversary of the beginning of his tenure at Shiloh Church. Over the weekend, I was saddened by some of my favorite gospel artists who really seem to be going off the deep end. So it was very encouraging to me to take a moment the highlight the ministry of Christian musician who goes about his work with sincerity, humility, and diligence. Roger Sears and our entire music team are great blessings to our congregation.

Thank God for those who were added to the church this week.

My mom made it to town Saturday night. She is here so that we can spend our birthdays together. I was glad to have her in church with us Sunday. But I was not nearly as glad as she was. She roamed around Shiloh, chatting up folk like she is a fifty-year member of Shiloh. I am glad she feels how loving the congregation is.

We had guests with in worship from the pastor's conference being hosted this week by Dr. Mac Brunson and the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. I was glad to meet several young men who had heard me preach in Tyler, Texas, some years ago. Very encouraging.

After service, there was a reception for Roger Sears. My family and I stayed around for that and enjoyed the fellowship.

By the time I got home, my cold symptoms overtook me again. I quickly got back in the bed. I only moved to pick up medicine and buy myself some comfort food. Let the church say, "Five Guys Burgers!"