4/15/2006

It's been a busy week at the Power House in Baltimore, Maryland.

It started out with our Palm Sunday celebrations. Jenn had designed an especially nice worship center which included our three palm plants. Vonceil ran the computer as we gave our new MP3 program a test drive. Our focus during the service was on Jesus' faithfulness.

We had a small group at Kids' Church. After reviewing the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the kids made a representative craft to hang on the refrigerator.

I didn't have a sermon planned for the prayer service at Evening Worship. However, during the music time I felt the need then gave a message relating Isaiah 40 to the Palm Sunday experience. During the testimony time, Pat shared how she'd had surgery on her eyes on Saturday and that this day was the first for her without glasses since she was about 8 years old.

I had a chance to visit with Jerry in the hospital on Monday and Tuesday. Actually, I visited with his family since he was not conscious at the time. I got a call near midnight Tuesday that things had taken a turn for the worse. When I arrived at the hospital 15 minutes later he had already died. Throughout the rest of the week we all spent quite a bit of energy on funeral plans and ministry with the family. The funeral isn't until next Tuesday afternoon.

The fire alarm people came by the church a couple times this week to work on installation. It still isn't complete.

I had the opportunity to visit with Dave in the rehabilitation center this week. He now has a power wheelchair and is experiencing independence and freedom. One thing he did while I was visiting him was to start a load of laundry on his own.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings we distributed fliers inviting neighbors to our Easter services. I estimate we handed out about 1200 over the course of the three days.

On Thursday evening we showed the movie The Passion of the Christ. We were able to project it onto the wall so we could have a theater-like experience.

On Friday we opened the church from noon - 3:00 p.m. for a time of reflection, prayer, and meditation. That evening we had the crowd at Pizza Church gather around the worship center that was set up for the afternoon's activities as we read through the account of Jesus' crucifixion as recorded in Mark.

We received our quarterly water bill this week. That might not sound like news, but we've been trying to get the city to send these bills to us for the past 6 years. Over the years we've called, written, faxed, and been to city hall but have not been successful in getting them to correct the address. Perhaps now we will not be slapped with fines for unpaid bills that we never received.

On Saturday evening Danny and I met at the church to scrub it in preparation for Easter. After things were clean we arranged the worship center in the front then set up the chairs and sound system for the morning.

Looking ahead to next week we have our regular schedule of activities. SonRisers will resume on Wednesday morning. Jerry's funeral is on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.

Along with the individuals and activities mentioned, please keep the following individuals in the forefront of your prayers:

Buddy
Jimmy
Emerald
Natasha
Jerry Sr.
Darrell
Gail
Anne

Thank you for your continued prayer support.

Jeff and everyone at
The Power House
"Building the Kingdom of God Here and Now"
PowerHouseMD@Juno.com
www.pigtownchurch.org