We Appreciate You
Pastor Joanie Dear Church Family,
October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month, so as your pastors, we wanted to take time to appreciate each of you. We daily share with each other how we love the people that are a part of this church family and we wanted to share that love with you.
Thank you for your daily love and support of our family. Thank you for hugging our girls each Sunday (sometimes three times). Thank you for holding the baby while we are in the middle of a conversation or needing to practice a song. Thank you for your words of encouragement and the many ways you lift us up.
Thank you for your forgiveness. We, by no means, have it all figured out and we are learning daily how to be the best pastors for this congregation. At times, we fail. You pick us up, talk to us, share your stories with us, and offer your sincere forgiveness. We are grateful.
Thank you for trusting us. It is not easy to trust someone new with your heartaches, your joys, your grieves, your struggles, and your successes. It is not easy to allow someone to hold your hand or walk beside you. But you have opened the doors to your heart and have allowed us to minister with you. You have been vulnerable and open…even if one step at a time. We are humbled by your willingness to trust us and allowing us to be with you.
Thank you for teaching us and allowing us to grow. Each day is full of new beginnings. You have allowed us to try new things and you have taught us new ways of thinking and doing things. You have shared your wisdom with us and have graciously blessed us with your stories. And from your stories we have become better, more wiser, more equipped ministers.
Thanking you for serving our God with us. We love each of you and feel honored to be on this journey with you each day.
With God’s grace and peace,
Pastor Joanie & Pastor Jason
If you missed Sunday’s Sermon
Read or listen to Can’t Never Could – Matthew 22:34-40
God’s Words for This Week
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 – You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (NRSV, v.18)
Psalm 1 – You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. (The Message, v.3)
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 – Instead, we were gentle with you like a nursing mother caring for her own children. 8 We were glad to share not only God’s good news with you but also our very lives because we cared for you so much. (CEB, v.7b-8)
Matthew 22:34-40 – ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NRSV, v.37-39)
This Week at Hood
Wednesday, November 1, 4:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, November 1, 6:00 pm – Choir Practice / Veteran’s Day Community Choir Practice
Thursday, November 2, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pastor Jason at The Cellar for Drop-In Coffee & Conversation (108 N Wilson St)
Saturday, November 4 – Cotton Festival – Come help at the Hood MCC Booth!!
Sunday, November 5, 11:00 am – Worship
Sunday, November 5, ??? – Veteran’s Day Concert Rehearsal
Coming Soon…
Saturday, November 4 – Cotton Festival
Sunday November 12, 4:o0PM – Veteran’s Day Concert
Sunday, November 19, 9:30 am – Church-Wide Thanksgiving Breakfast
Sunday, November 19, 6:30 pm – Community Thanksgiving (hosted at Hood MCC)