Church in the Wildwood

Lots of Women!

This weekend my wife Patti hosted seven of her friends from high school.  This is actually the second year for a “reunion.”  This year the ladies converged on our house and the laughter started the moment they arrived.  To be honest, it was a little much “feminity” for me, so I stayed out of the way for the most part.  Yet I was thankful Patti had a great weekend, enjoying great relationships.

Friendship is vital to life and living.  Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes of the vital connection and importance of close relationships.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (NIV)

One of the many qualities I admire in my wife is her desire to influence others for Jesus.  She spends time praying for her friends, communicating with her friends, and being a positive influence to them.  Her example inspires me to look at my friendships and how I can be a godly influence.

I want to challenge us all to remember the words from Peter and allow them to motivate us to be ready with The Answer!

1 Peter 3:15, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…

PS – Sunday evening we have a special event hosted by our Prayer Ministry team.  We will be taking a “prayer-walk” in the neighborhoods around the church building.  Don’t know what a prayer-walk is?  Then come and learn!

20 Years

Patti and I were in Chicago on Friday and Saturday for an opportunity to honor my brother in law Tim and 20 years of ministry at Parkview Christian Church.  On Friday evening they held a “surprise” party for Tim and Denise.  Throughout the evening over 150 friends came and wished Tim and Denise congrats.  Then at the 4pm Saturday evening service, they took time to honor Tim and Denise.  They gave them gifts, showed a special video, and then they prayed for Tim and Denise.  It was a blessing to Patti and I to be a part of this special time.
Tim and Denise moved to Chicago 20 years ago.  He became the Senior Pastor of Tinley Park Church of Christ, a church running between 130-150 on a Sunday morning.  Over the past 20 years their name changed, their location changed, but their passion for reaching the lost never wavered.  Parkview now runs over 5000 in four weekend services.

As I shared on Sunday, I plan on staying 20 years here at WCC.  I don’t know what God has in mind for us, except to say that his desire is for WCC to grow and reach the lost for Jesus.  We might not become a church of 5000, but we will always reaching the lost and connecting them to Jesus as a priority!
I love being your Pastor!
Doug

Gazelle Intensity!

Run like a gazelle from debt was the message from Dave Ramsey shared last Sunday.  I know many of you have been inspired to take a hard look at where your finances are.  I heard someone put a picture of a gazelle on their refrigerator!  If you missed it, here is the link to the audio from Sunday, or if you want to see Dave's message shared at Lifechurch.tv in Oklahoma city last year, here is the link.   There are three messages, the debt one is week two of his series.

Daveramsey.com is the other website that I want to encourage you to check out.  If you are needing guidance in your finances, if you are up to your ears in debt, if you are clueless as to the biblical guidelines for handling your money, then Dave is the place to go.

We enjoy our annual Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow evening, November 22, at 5:00 pm.  We are at Marquette High school.  We would love to have you and your family come share with us.  In fact, why don’t you invite your neighbor that is in need of a church home?  We host evenings like this for us to fellowship together, but bottom line, we host them so that the friends you have been investing in can be invited.  

Thanks for your love for the Lord and I will see you tomorrow!

Doug

50 Years

Today the woman of my dreams has a milestone birthday, she turns 50.  I know you aren't supposed to tell the age of a woman, but when that woman is so special you have to share.  Plus, when you look  as cute as this and enjoy life so much, who cares your age? 

I am so thankful to have shared over 28 years with this amazing woman.  She loves the Lord with all of her heart, she is so much fun to be around, she is smart, talented, gifted, has a great laugh, enjoys life, loves her family and best of all ... she puts up with me!!

Happy Birthday Patti, I love you!

          

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is a great day to honor mom’s, I know I am so thankful for my mother!  She has provided a loving presence that has pointed the way to Jesus.  Here is a picture of my mother, Carol Vernon.  I love you mom!

We will be honoring our Mother’s this Sunday as we worship our Lord Jesus Christ.  We have a special gift for all of the ladies present, and a special time of celebration together.

Saturday is a special day that brings two key events here at Wildwood:

The first is a ladies luncheon held here at the church building.  Our ladies are working to make this a special time for the ladies.  This will be from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and the cost is just $5.  Call Jan at the church office if you haven’t yet registered.

The second event is to honor our High School Seniors as they graduate.  This is a dinner which begins at 6:00pm and is also held here at the building.  Evan has been working hard to make this a special evening.

Sunday morning Jason will have more information about Vacation Bible School, so be ready to volunteer!

You can read 1 Samuel 1-3 in preparation for the message on Sunday!

Happy Mother's Day!

Emotions

We are registering for Vacation Bible School!  The dates for VBS are June 16-20, so don't miss out!  Click here to go to the registration information!  Jason and his crew has a great week planned!  VBS is each morning from 9:00am - noon.  This is a great event to invite your neighbors to as well!

Kevin and Erin Vernon are now husband and wife, and I couldn’t be happier!  Saturday, May 3, Patti and I were in St. Joseph, MO for the wedding of our son Kevin and his lovely bride, Erin.  It was a wonderful weekend to enjoy with family and friends, but most importantly to celebrate with Kevin and Erin.  I was honored to perform the ceremony, and made it through most of it without breaking up.  Of course when it is your son and he is marrying such a wonderful young woman, you can’t help but show your emotions.  Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement!  Check out some of the pictures in the photo album.

Thanks to Jason for preaching on Sunday!  It is great to have a staff like we have here at Wildwood, one that loves the Lord and works hard to make this a great church. Please take the time to express your appreciation to Jason for his message and the work that he does here with our children!

The next couple of weeks are big ones for so many of our families.  Graduation is a big event and a significant milestone.  I pray that our seniors and those graduating from college will follow the path that God has for them.  Evan has a special evening planned for our graduating High School seniors on Saturday.  Click here for more information.

Sunday is Mother’s Day and we will take time during our worship to honor moms!  I am so thankful for my mother and her love for the Lord!  Don’t forget to thank your mother and let her know that you love her!

See you Sunday!