4/21/2007

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

It started out Sunday with a very full day. We were greeted with a leak at the very same place that was repaired last week. It was a much smaller leak than in the past so the damage was minimal. We left a message on the builder's voice mail.

During the announcements I quizzed the group on what holiday it was. After some discussion people figured out that it was the 12th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. During the service we studied from John 14:1-7.

Between services we got a frantic knock on the door at our house. Theresa told us that Jenn had been in a car wreck a couple of blocks away and needed help. I met up with her there. It was near the Pestridge's house so we were able to borrow Woody's truck to take all the items out of her car and get them home.

During Kids' Church we learned the story of Jesus walking with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. During the craft a prime topic of discussion by some of the kids was strategies for peeking into my house to spy on us while we're working or watching TV.

The Livingstons brought a cake to Evening Worship so that we could celebrate the congregation's anniversary. After the service we were all able to share in fellowship while enjoying the cake.

After that we had our monthly priesthood meeting. Because of the events of the day and, for that matter, the previous week we didn't spend much time discussing things and really just plowed through as much information as we could in as short of a time as possible. We finished in about an hour.

On Monday I had a training seminar at Loyola. It was excellent and easily the best training I've been to in pastoral and self care. It was focused specifically on the needs of ministers in an urban environment.

We had a wind storm the first part of the week. Naturally, part of the roof of the old building blew off.

Around 60 kids participated in this week's SonRisers activities. Later that morning I was able to visit with the family of a friend of the congregation. She was in the last stages of life due to HIV and had been disconnected from life support. She died on Saturday morning.

Wednesday evening the Adult Disciples finished up their Temple School course on the ministry of the Elder. Next week we'll begin a study of the book of James.

Linda and I were finally able to meet up on Thursday. We now have the building reserved for Thursday nights at 8:00 for "Sisters in Spirit," a Narcotics Anonymous group for women. This will make two weekly NA meetings at the church.

Friday night brought Pizza Church. The first two groups studied the story of Thomas while the third group began a multi-week video curriculum.

I received some contributions to our camp fund this week. We still have a long ways to go to get all our kids to camp so we'll keep working on it.

With great weather by week's end I was able to walk around in the evenings visit with people. I was able to catch up with some folks that I haven't seen since fall. I also got to visit with the grandmother of a girl whose family had transferred to Ft. Wayne, Indiana when the GM plant closed here. It was good to hear that the whole family is doing remarkably well there.

Looking ahead to next week we'll have our regular schedule of activities. In addition, I'll be going to Virginia on Thursday to pick up some exercise equipment from a member there. While down that way I'll be meeting with Dave, our Mission Center President. Our second NA group will have its first meeting this Thursday evening. Next Saturday is our monthly Sundae Church.

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

Ida
Melissa
Beverly
Neil
Bobby
Karen
Amy
Patricia

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