Pastor Don will be keeping regular office hours in the church office on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Exceptions will be noted in the bulletin unless it is an emergency or last-minute situation. Tuesday will be Pastor Don’s normal  day off. At other times, he will be working from his home office when not out visiting, etc. Phone numbers are 656-3157 (church), 299-1374 (home) and 229-9644 (cell). Email is carrolldd@earthlink.net. The church answering machine will be monitored remotely.  

The month of May is filled with special observances honoring a range of persons from the living to the dead to the spiritual. That’s pretty inclusive, isn't it? Specifically, we celebrate National Youth Sunday, Mother's Day, Pentecost and Memorial Day. I will touch briefly on each of these here.

National Youth Sunday for the Church of the Brethren is May 5, although we moved it up a week to April 28 to accommodate the schedules of those participating. We have a wonderful group of talented and committed youth in our congregation and you got to see that first-hand in the worship service that they put on. It is important for us to encourage our youth and to provide opportunities for their participation in all aspects of our church life. We value their perspective and insights, realizing that they are not simply the future of the church but the present as well.

Mother's Day is an opportunity for us to recognize the contributions that our mothers have made to our lives. Although we designate this special day each year, I hope that we show our mothers how much we appreciate them much oftener than that. Some of us see our mothers daily while others only occasionally because of distance and other factors. And then for some, our mothers have passed on to their heavenly home and we await a reunion one day. But whatever the case, do not forget the importance of motherhood and express your love as often as possible if your mother is still living.

Pentecost is that day celebrated as the birthday of the Christian church when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the first group of believers after the ascension of Jesus. For us today, the Holy Spirit continues to be the source of power in our lives and the giver of spiritual gifts for the upbuilding of the church. We must be open and receptive to His work in us if we are to be true and effective disciples of Jesus. What a blessing the Holy Spirit is to us!

Finally, Memorial Day is a time of remembrance as we think about those who have gone on before us, paving the way for us through their sacrifices and their faithfulness. When I was visiting my mother a few weeks ago, I went with my daughter and her family to the cemetery beside my home church. We saw the graves of my father, my grandparents and many other relatives as well as a host of other people who were influential in my life. It was a precious time to remember and to share memories of the past with succeeding generations of my family. We all need to give thanks for those who are now enjoying their eternal reward and challenge ourselves to leave a worthy legacy for those we will leave behind when it is our turn to pass on.

May God bless us all as we commemorate the events of May. 

Pastor Don