As August came to a close we finished our emphasis on the Prayer for Antioch. We prayed the prayer together all summer and we spent an entire month focusing on the prayer during the worship. I tried to offer my best efforts at a theme interpretation and to present a challenge to pray earnestly and then to actively wait upon God to provide direction for our actions. Now as we move into the fall months and begin other endeavors let us not forget the prayer. It is my hope and continued prayer that God will prepare us to move forward together into the future.

God is at work hearing and answering our prayers for Antioch. I am excited to report that our first youth and children’s gathering for this season was a huge success. We had five children and five youth for supper, devotional, and activities. Thanks to Butch and Cheryl for providing the boat and ski-do for the youth and to David and Brent for volunteering to help chaperone and lifeguard. Rita, Rebecca, Sabrina, and Amy did a great job providing safe water fun for the children as well. Thanks to all for being God’s answer to prayer. September and October will hold some exciting opportunities for our youth and children. I hope you will make sure the young folk in your life will have the opportunity to take part in this adventure.

Preaching through the prayer in August reminded me just how much I enjoy theme focused worship. We will begin November with the theme of justice and wisdom and then in October the focus of our worship will be stewardship. I do appreciate our worship leaders. We are fortunate indeed and we are blessed to have Danny and Brandon lead us each Sunday. I am looking forward to the choir taking their places again this month and leading our singing. I am very much indebted to Donna Corbin and Gloria Davidson for helping to plan our worship and prayerful choosing hymns and anthems.

The first weekend in September will bring us the last Monday holiday of the summer season. Many of you will be traveling over Labor Day. I will miss you and I am praying that you will have a great time of relaxation and fun and I pray that God will keep you safe. I will look forward to seeing everyone in you pew as we settle in to worship and serve God together at Antioch.

See you Sunday.

Randy