February
6
2010
Friends:
The blizzard of 2010 has gone from snowfall to digging out stage, but the digging out may not be far enough along by Sunday morning (February 7) to justify bringing everyone out on the roads. This sets a record, at least for the time I have been in Maryland: two Sundays in a row where we are closed for snow, and that makes the third time this season. Keep safe and snug in your home, and please pray for those who have no safe place of their own, as well as those who are working hard to clear the roads for us.
Pastor Bob
February
1
2010
Power
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
January
30
2010
Snow has been falling all day in Southern Maryland on Saturday, January 30th, without letup. The official forecast calls for 6 to 12 inches; we’ve already got the six. After consultation with several of our most faithful families and the chairman of the Board of Trustees, the decision has been made to cancel church activities for Sunday, January 31, 2010. We’ll be back in action for worship next Sunday, February 7.
Birthday greetings go to Brandon, Feb. 2; Bonnie and Kevin, Feb. 3; and Hayley, Feb. 4!
We’ll plan to have our prayer meeting at its usual time on Wednesday at 6:30, and the Board of Trustees on Thursday at 5:30.
Remember: the church exists wherever the people of God are, and we are called on to do all that we do, whether word or deed, in such a way as to honor our God. May the peace of God be in every home, on every highway, and ease the work of shoveling every driveway!
Pastor Bob
UPDATE, Jan. 31: I spoke this morning with Pastor Victor Coleman of Temple Hills Church of God, and the Joint Celebration Service planned for this evening is also canceled.
January
29
2010
Juan Santos & Audrey Boatwright to speak
Pastor Bob says: “This Monday, we have a unique opportunity to learn how we can minister in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Audrey Boatwright is deeply involved in ministry to Haiti. Pastor Juan Santos is one of the pastors I met when I took a trip with other CDP ministers to the Dominican Republic back in 1998. He is one of the national leaders of the Church of God in that country.”
Directions to Cornerstone Church in Columbia are on the poster; click to enlarge.
January
7
2010
Dear friends,
Heaven just got a little bit richer. I received word today that my uncle and namesake, Dr. Robert H. Clark, died late this morning in Lake Wales, Florida. He was 92.
A man of faith, good cheer, vigor and wit, he kept up an active schedule well past his nine-decade mark. He was a missionary, a pastor, a teacher, a scholar, a peacemaker and activist, Among those who have helped to guide me in my own path, he is right up at the top. He was one of the two ministers who officiated at our wedding.
I’ll have much more to say about him a little later. In your prayers, please remember all of his family, especially my aunt Fran, his tireless partner over sixty-five years.
- Pastor Bob Buehler
Edit: Memorial service is to be Monday morning, January 11 in Lake Wales. Full obituary follows.
January
1
2010
Reason
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
December
26
2009
Pastor Bob says:
The candlelight Christmas Eve service was a special time for me, as it is every year. We had new friends and old friends and visitors sharing together the age-old story which never gets old. Thanks to everyone who came for making the worship experience what it was. I hope everyone had as good a Christmas Day with their family as we had in our house. A most relaxing, de-stressed day.
On Sunday, December 27 our Christmas celebrations continued with the presentation of the children’s play during morning worship at 10:00 a.m. Many thanks to all who were present, to the children and adults who made this special celebration possible.
Thanks be to God for all of his gifts, and especially for the gift of His own presence in our lonely places, His light in our darkness, His peace in our turmoil, His love in our hearts.
December
21
2009
Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at 6:00 p.m.
We’ll sing some carols, light some candles, tell the Christmas story and share the Lord’s Table together in this meaningful, annual celebration reminding us that as great as is the miracle of the Son of God being born in the world, the miracle of His birth in our hearts is the greatest gift of all. Why not make some time, bring your family and share with others of God’s people a wonderful few moments of remembrance and expectation?
December
20
2009
Sunday Morning, Dec. 20: The roads have been plowed but still have snow and ice on them. Driveways are not yet plowed, nor is the church parking lot. Services are canceled today, but please come back on Christmas Eve at 6:00 p.m., and next Sunday for a double Christmas celebration with our children’s play! The church building may be closed, but God’s church (you!) remains open and working!
December
19
2009
About 15 people gathered at the church on the evening of December 18 and went out Christmas caroling. Forecasts called for snow late in the evening, but we enjoyed singing for several seniors in their homes, and one in a nursing home (where other residents gathered in the hallway to listen). It’s hard to overestimate the joy that comes into the world when people care enough to make the effort to do even such a simple thing. May Christmas be in our hearts, and a song on our lips, throughout the year!
By late evening the snow had begun falling, and forecasts were upgraded to a blizzard for Saturday (today), possibly a record-breaking storm for the area with up to two feet by Sunday morning. As I write this, before 8 a.m., six or more inches is on the ground and the heaviest snowfall is only just getting started!
Below are announcements which include delaying our Christmas program by a week, in light of this severe weather forecast.
Scheduling notes:
The children’s play dress rehearsal scheduled for today, December 19, will move to next Sunday morning, December 27 at 9:00 a.m.
On schedule for Sunday, December 20 are the children’s Christmas play, the Christ’s Birthday Offering, and our monthly compassionate ministries food processional. In the likely event we are closed for snow that day, all of these will happen instead on Sunday, December 27.
Our Christmas Eve candlelight service will still take place on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
Pastor Bob says: Stay safe, stay snug, and enjoy some “in” time with your families! God is good, all the time (even in the snow)!