Caught Up!

As of taking a break for lunch today, I feel as though I have finally managed to "catch up" from my three week absence from Course of Study, along with my four-day odyssey in two Vacation Bible Schools.

I have gotten into the regular routine of my weekly task list. I have even managed to create some time this afternoon to work on a few new projects.

It is a good feeling. I am excited to see the new opportunities in store for Oakfield and Tabor as we look to November. We have a new curriculum for Confirmation. Sunday School will be starting again at both churches September 12. We will be working on Mission and Vision statements for both churches. We will experiment with a new alternative worship service on Sunday evenings. We will have a Wednesday evening Bible study.

Things wind down in the summer. I am looking forward to "winding up" in September! :-D

Course of Study Grades

I got my grades for Course of Study in the mail today. I didn't think we would get them that quick. I managed to get three A-'s and one A. I figured that is what I would get, but now it is confirmed. In the end, the most important is that you pass. As far as I know, there is no pay increase for A's.

Do you think Family Video will give free rentals for Report Card A's? Probably not...

Some Fitness Updates

I wanted to share a few fitness-related items with everyone today:

• I got my replacement pedometer in the mail today. I am now able to log steps and earn rewards again. While doing the laundry two weeks ago, I heard a strange clunking in the dryer. Try as I might, I was unable to figure out what the clunking was. I found my pedometer when I was taking out the clothes. It "worked", but I could not download steps. So, I ordered a new one.
• I ran 12 miles last week on Friday. I am still behind on my training for the marathon. I don't want to push my body too much, but my long runs will need to get longer a little quicker than I would like. If anything, I need to see if it's reasonable to still think I can do this. Being in Naperville for school for three weeks made running difficult.
• Tonight is the second week of playoffs for our church softball team. We have a game at 7:00PM against the one team that beat us during the regular season. If we beat them, we play in the championship at 9:00PM!

According to some, the Mayan calendar tells us that the end of the world is coming on December 21, 2012. I recently heard on the radio that some believe that the world will end on May 21, 2011. The Left Behind series of books provided a detailed account of an interpretation of the Rapture, tribulation and end times. Thinking about what it will be like when Christ returns to us is both exciting and scary, and it is certainly filled with a lot of uncertainty. We want answers!

We know that Christ will return. He has promised this to us! What we don't know is when it will be. In this Sunday's gospel lesson, Jesus doesn't provide us all the answers, but he does teach how to be ready for the day when he does return.

The scripture readings for this Sunday are: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Psalm 50 (verses 1-8, 22-23) and Luke 12:32-40. I encourage you to read these in advance of our worship service this Sunday. If while reading, you have any questions, I would certainly be willing to talk to you about it.

I really do hope to see you in church this Sunday!

Tabor Vacation Bible School Experience

Tonight there will be a performance and reception for all of the students that participated in Vacation Bible School at Tabor United Methodist Church. We managed to take five days of materials and put it into three days :). We had about 30 kids participate this year. They will be performing a variety of songs that they learned this week!

During these three days, I was in charge of Rocket Rec, which was their recreation time. I had every intention of using the activities provided so that we could build upon the things that they were learning in the other areas. That worked with moderate success. It didn't take me long to realize that with the little ones, simple was best. We had more fun playing Duck, Duck, Goose and tag. At least I made them tired for their future rotations. Otherwise...they were constantly in motion.

With the older kids, I had a little bit more success. We managed to work in activities in three of our meetings that related to the topic of the day. One day involved a game of kickball (morale was low) and today was a review. Hopefully they learned something!

I am not all that good with kids, so this was a good opportunity for me :).

The Art or the Artist

The United Methodist News Service has an interesting article that raises some excellent questions. Given all of the celebrity scandals out there, what are we supposed to do as Christians? What expectations are we to have of celebrities? I encourage you to check it out. It is a pretty interesting article.

Settling Back In...

What a week to come back from Course of Study!

Today, Tuesday and Wednesday I will be participating in Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School at Tabor United Methodist Church. I will in charge of the recreation portion of the day. I wish I had more time to prepare, but I think everything will turn out OK. I had every intention of preparing while at school, but I left the packet at home. Thursday is Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School at Oakfield United Methodist Church. I am not completely sure how I will be helping out, but I will find out soon.

This weekend is the Village-wide rummage sale for Oakfield. The church will be having a brat fry and bake sale as well. It is also the Oakfield Corn Roast this weekend.

Among all of the schools and upcoming events, I am attempting to get back into a regular work schedule. Please be patient as I make my way back into pastoral ministry.