Hello all,
Here’s what’s going on at Agape this week:
1. Saturday Tornado Relief: As you know, this has been a tragic week for many in our community, and many of you have already been serving in various ways. Thank you for pitching in and sharing the mercy and love of Jesus to those that are hurting! Tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 7:30 AM (note time change from the last email), we will be meeting AT AGAPE and going out together as a team. At this point, I have registered us to work in Clay with the relief group, DRADT, that is coordinating the disaster response there. We will meet at Agape at 7:30 AM, and then drive together over to Clay Chalkville High School to get registered as volunteers, and get our assignments. While some of you may be able to stay all day, the bulk of our group will be returning to Agape in the early afternoon.
2. Sunday Care Packages: We need to put together care packages to take to homeowners who’s homes have been destroyed or damaged. If you could bring care packages, or items for care packages, to Agape THIS SUNDAY MORNING, we will assemble them and carry them to homes next week. Here are some items that might be included: Flavored drink packets for bottled water, batteries, crayons, coloring books, small (and safe) children’s toys, a letter containing love and prayers from you, flashlights, snack foods, sandwich bags, toiletries, hand sanitizer, etc. It would be great if we could collect enough items to make and distribute fifty bags! If you have packages already made, then bring them Saturday, and we can pass them out then.
3. Sunday Message: Sometimes events warrant a schedule change. This Sunday, the message time will focus on the tornado strikes. Specifically, we will ask two questions: 1. Why did the tornado strikes hit our area again? Is this some random happenstance, or is something deeper involved? 2. What should our response be as the Body of Christ in this area? Disasters are powerful things that cause us to ask a lot of questions.On the one hand, they often turn our hearts and attention to God in a deeper way. On the other hand, they often make us question why a good God would allow such devastating things to happen to people that He cares for. I hope it is not lost on us that for the last four weeks leading up to this storm, we have been focused on Elijah the prayer warrior, and how God allowed natural disasters to come upon His people in response to the prayers of Elijah. Could there possibly be a connection, or is that crazy talk?! Let’s prayerfully consider that this Sunday!
4. Sunday Family Meeting: This Sunday, after our normal gathering, we will be having a family meeting to vote on our new budget, and to answer any questions you might have about Living Word Church using the building. Ann will present the budget first, and we will vote on it, and then we will answer questions second.
5. Jenkins Family: Don’t forget that we are providing meals and support to Nick and Lisa’s family this week as they host an unusually large number of people in their home. Lisa’s mom and sister live in Pilgrim’s Rest, a hard hit community in Trussville. Their house was obliterated, and it is a true miracle that they survived. They are currently living with Nick and Lisa, and some other siblings have come up to help who will also be living with Nick and Lisa. With several adults and kids under one roof, and little time to cook, we are going to step in and help Nick and Lisa and their family. Mandy Smith is organizing this effort. To help (and I urge you to!) sign up at this link, and enter the password “1111″ (four ones) http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=EWGT0659#
See you Sunday!