August 19th, 2007

Nita’s friend Al Blain led us in Creator Praise this morning, the music during communion and also led us in a nice closing gospel number that he composed.

During the Children’s Time Pastor Dayle, emphasizing how we are the hands and feet to do God’s work, had the children gather shoes and spell out God’s Work in shoes. It was a moment of fun and relaxation. The shoes remained throughout the sermon and the rest of the service.

The sermon caught the congregation up with what happened at the Churchwide Assembly that Pastor Dayle attended. She joked that the toughest things we have as a congregation to talk about is sex and money. Her sermon touched on both. At the Churchwide Assembly a resolution was passed for urging restraint from disciplinary actions by bishops regarding clergy in mutually chaste, same sex relationships. Pastor Dayle talked about the deep divisions at the Assembly regarding this issue.

Paul, in the announcements before the service, and Pastor Dayle in her sermon talked about Creator’s financial situation. Creator passed a deficit budget this year and there is a deep concern about day to day operational money. Both Pastor Dayle and Paul pointed out that Creator is deeply involved in its ministry. When the congregation passed Pastor Dayle’s overdue increase in salary it was hoped there would be an increase in giving to cover that expense. The message was given to the congregation that this didn’t happen over the summer.

After the service most of the worshippers stayed for Al Blain’s gospel number. It was testifying to the power of Jesus and was a powerful close to the service.