It’s a good thing that I am married to a most merciful wife who is also in charge of this web site.  I haven’t written anything since June.  I suspect if they had web sites when the children of Israel received the Law from God He would have included a rather harsh punishment for not maintaining an responsible party’s responsibility for their written pieces.  Thank God for his mercy.  With all of that said, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the following individuals for their significant contributions in the church’s lawn maintenance over the summer.  They are:  Mr. Robert Aspery, Mr. Robert Shoecraft, Mr. John Moore, Mr. Larry Edgar, Mr. James Warner, Mr. Charles Saffle, Mr. Sean Saffle, Mr. Sean Gregory, and Mr. Robert Love whose ministry is to care for the flowers in front of the church.  If I forgot someone, please forgive me and mention it to me at church.  I would also like to thank Mrs. Barb Edgar for her contribution in taking care of the circular flower garden in the parking lot.  The physical maintenance of the church grounds and building traditionally has been a deacon’s responsibility.  Since we ALL are part of God’s family, it’s a blessing to be able to depend on brothers and sisters to help the deacons with what can be an overwhelming task.  Again, thanks to all.

Paul K. Gregory

Deacon

August 17^th, make a note of this date.  After intense and thorough mathematical calculation using all the latest technological advances in meteorology, this is the day it will finally be WARM and DRY for a period longer than 16.435329485 hours.  Bank on it.  However, in the meantime, with the cool wet conditions abounding in love, the church grounds will be evolving, (if I may be so secular in verbiage) which means the verdant scything list will be making its mark on a wall of the sanctuary’s antechamber.  (See what 9 years of college can do for your transcription skills!) Simply expressed, it’s time to mow the lawn.  Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who wishes to contribute their John Deere skills please make yourself known.  It will be greatly appreciated.  As the lone, solitary, single, unencumbered deacon, I would like to thank Mr. John Moore and Mr. Gene Beretich for their culinary mastery of bacon and sausage ‘fixins’ for the Easter breakfast.  I would also like to thank the ladies of the Activities Committee for their contribution.  I would list their names but I can’t remember them all and there is a saying that all men should memorize: “Deep-warm-internal-regions-of-the-earth hath no fury like a woman scorned (or forgotten from the credit list.)   All those whose arteries were delightfully assaulted also thank you.  I know it’s April, but we as a congregation need to be contemplating whether we are going to offer the Live Nativity this Christmas.  If we have this desire then several issues need to be addressed.  The huts need to be permanently roofed with tar-paper and shingles so the wind doesn’t keep stripping them bare.  This involves time, labor, and cash.  The props used for the scenes need to be cleaned, repaired, and stowed.  This involves time, labor, and cash.  The scenes will require actors/actresses in costume who can commit.....time, labor, and cash.  The Kubota will need fuel and the wagon to be outfitted with an adequate sound system.  This will require time, labor, and cash.  If we want to have the animals for the scenes, we will need...well, pretty much just cash.  This is one of our few outreach activities Rose Hill sponsors.  While I can’t think of one individual who was converted to Christ or became a member of Rose Hill, do not put walls around God’s ability to use this outreach to plant seeds.  When we all get to heaven, you may be surprised when someone comes up, shakes your hand and says thank you.  Because you explained the Nativity story in its fullness, I accepted salvation.  Maranatha!