OCTOBER 29, 2021 VIEW FROM DA PEWS

​Weekly View From Da Pews
October 29, 2021
When we are not sure, we are alive!—Graham Greene
  There’s a smugness, a dead-endedness, a finality, in being certain.
  When we are certain, we’re not open to new ideas or methods.  Life is less an adventure and more an unending corridor.
  Being certain, being closed, is not life affirming.  Many of us work addicts are sure about just about everything.  We’re rarely open or vulnerable in any way; we do not trust intuition or others’ opinions, we don’t recognize our own need for flexibility.
  We must learn that the willingness to allow other possibilities gives us life, it renews us and makes us a living organism.
A promise to myself!
  I will be more open to change.  I know that it will help keep me fresh, aware, open and happier.  And out of a rut!
  Just a reminder, this is Pastor Appreciation Month.  A card or simple hand shake with kind words, or perhaps a gift of cookies.  Let’s show are appreciation for Pastor Sterling’s caring about us and a job well done.
  Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 06th, Dekorra will be cleaning up the roadside on county Highway CS from the interstate to Whalens Grade.  This takes a good sized crew and I hope all the confirmation kids can show up with lots of adult help.
  Another reminder for all the committees.  We need your budget expectations for 2022 so that we can put together a budget in the coming months.  We need those numbers by the November 09th “All Committee” meeting.
  10 Ways to know you are a successful father!
  “Sometimes the poorest man leaves his children the richest inheritance.” (Ruth E. Renkel) There is not one single path to successful parenting.  All fathers are not created equal in method nor in standards.  What sets a successful father apart from the pack is passion for his duty and the ability to love unconditionally.  Possession of these two traits is the common denominator in all successful parents.  The following can be considered one of the 10 “greatest hits” of an awesome Dad.
#5  Friends
  We are usually only as good as the company we keep.  Friends are an important part of your child’s life.  Chances are they spend more time in the company of their friends than with you.  That is a very large amount of influence that is not under your control.  It is imperative that you have a relationship with these friends.  Make the effort to know them as well as their parents.  Your child’s friends should be diverse and inspiring.
  At the October council meeting, Lyle advised the group that so far this year, we are $21,082 in the hole regarding our giving compared to years passed.  I know that there is a pandemic going on, I know that the weekly attendance is down, I know that some of us are hurting financially.
  We have two and a half months before we close the books on 2021.  My hope and prayers are that we can somehow find it in our hearts to “dig a little deeper in the well” and come up with some extra giving to offset this shortfall.
  Each month you receive in the mail the envelopes for the coming month.  In the packet of envelopes you will also find an envelope for the first Sunday of the next month.  So you end up with two envelopes for the first Sunday of each month.  I would suggest that instead of throwing out one of those envelopes you use that envelope to give a little extra.
  My faith is strong enough that I am sure the Lord will provide for His church and also for those who provide that extra giving.
  January is right around the corner and so is our annual meeting.  We will be filling some vacancies on the church counsel and also replacing some committee members.  Please consider stepping up and volunteering to run for election to these very important positions. 
  That’s all for this week.  Time to go hang some sheetrock at the Habitat home.  And YES we are looking for some help with this build. 
William
p.s. Important message below from Pastor Sterling
  Hi Bill,
 
Can you do me a favor? I just scheduled the A/V training with Fearings but we already have the announcements printed. Can you add that info to you weekly letter to the congregation?
 
It will be at 5:30pm on Tuesday, November 9th – right before All Committee Night. Anyone who is curious about the new system works or wants be trained in its use is welcome and encouraged to participate.
 
Thank you so much,
 
Sterling