Builder06.24.09.htm

I received an email from a clergy colleague last week that had this anonymous saying in it: “Never deprive anyone of hope; it could be the only thing a person owns.” What a marvelous statement that is, and so true. Hope is what keeps us going; it keeps us striving to reach our goals. When the storms of life come raging down upon us it is our hope that brings us back to life.

Perhaps that is why the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome in chapter 5, verses 3-5: “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

It is sometimes amazing to me, especially in the field of health care, how hopeless some of those workers are. I sometimes just want to grab them and shake them and say, “Where is your faith?” (I believe that it is by faith that hope is produced.)

We have just celebrated Father’s Day, and shortly before, we celebrated Mother’s Day. If I could go back and add an extra message to the sermons that I preached on those days to the parents of our congregation, it would be: “Whatever you do for your children, don’t take their hope from them.”

I was moved to tears on Thursday night. The children who attended the Richfield Vacation Bible School last week sang for their parents and other attendees. They sang about the light of Christ in each of them and how God lifts them up, along with the hand motions that went with the song. The smiles of innocence on those faces were truly moving. The children of the church and the community are our future, and what a privilege it is to have some influence on their spiritual lives, if only for a short time. Take time on Sunday to hug one of our children and tell them how special they are to Richfield. See you on Sunday.

DON'T FORGET CARITAS

Pasta - potato flakes - macaroni and cheese - canned fruit - rice - beans - spaghetti

JULY 5 - FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON

The Property Committee will be hosting a HOT DOG (and all the fixings) fellowship luncheon on July 5. We would like for the congregation to bring other picnic goodies: potato salad, chicken, beans, chips, watermelon, and desserts, etc.

First Call for WORKDAY - July 18

We will have a church workday on July 18 beginning at 8:00. There will be inside and outside work to be done, and we can use your help. We hope to finish by noon. Also, there is a list on the bulletin board of work to be done if you cannot be present on workday. Simply put your name by the work you will accomplish. Contact James McCord for more information at 420-1975

BOY SCOUTS NEWS

Our Boy Scouts went on a week-long summer camp at Camp Tahuaya last week. Some completed their merit badges in Archery, Wilderness Survival, First Aid, Orienteering, Pioneering, Environmental Science and Baden Powell first-year program, and work on their swimming and canoeing merit badges. We will be putting out our list of items that are needed for our Boy Scout camping trip to Utah. If anyone would like to donate any of these items or make a monetary donation, please see the sign-up sheet in the Info Hallway. We are still collecting aluminum cans for our camping trip as well.

Yours in Scouting,

Staci Jay Assistant Scoutmaster

EDUCATION NEWS

The Crocodile Dock may be closed now, but God’s light still shines bright at Richfield Christian Church. While I run the risk of leaving out someone, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the following: Pastor: David Story, Snack Shack Pack Leaders: Sandra & John Westmoreland, Swamp Stomp Conductors/Choreographers: Christa Dancer & Kayla Rosas with sound man Steve Rosas, Crawfish Crafts Creators: Melissa & Pete Almanza, Lori Fields, David & Tisha Busch, Gator Games Gurus: Amy Sutton & Holly Clay, Dockside Drive-In Director: Angie Goette, Pre-School teachers: Meridith Moffatt & Chris Glass, Bible Bayou Performers: Michael Donaldson & Amy McFarling, Bayou Crew leaders: Anastasia, Cierra, Colton, Dominique, Julian & Isaiah, Able-bodied Assistants: Helen & Max Bunting & Staci Jay, Bible Bayou Extreme Adventure teachers: Shelia Leggett & Pete Moffatt, and Film Director: Bruce Leggett for catching all the action in pictures.

Kent Holguin, Education Chair

Please notify the church office when a name can be removed from the Care and Concern list.

Doug Neale has graduated from a walker to a cane and has been able to be in church. Emily Upham (Steve Rosas mother) is hospitalized in Colorado City, TX. John Westmoreland continues with his recuperation and is doing better every day. Lura McKamie is in Providence Health Center. Barbara Cohn is waiting on surgery to be scheduled in July. Paul MacKenzie is doing well with his pacemaker/defibrillator. Laura Hack’s daughter, Sharon, will have surgery this week. James Clay and Jack Cox are both suffering from respiratory problems. Winona Baugh is now home recuperating. Vivian Bushnell will begin pain management this week for her back pain. Marie Jordan is doing better with blood pressure and related health issues. Grant Story continues his journey in a nursing facility in San Antonio.

Serving In Iraq: Tony Ramirez (James McCord's nephew) ~ Michael Hunt (Debbie Webb's co-worker's son)

Serving In Afghanistan: Andy Bianchi (friend of the Leggetts) ~ Joe Davis (Valera Labit's grandson)

Now Home from Serving In Africa: Lathan Thurman (Linda Sykora's son)

Pray for all of these and pray for the parents of our congregation and parents around the world as they lead their families in building Christian homes.

Thank you very much for the wonderful card and the beautiful book! I am so blessed to have been a part of a loving and caring church family. I love you all.

Our church has received the following memorial to be used to the glory of God and the ministry of Richfield Christian Church.

In Memory of: Bill Millsaps
From:
John & Sandra Westmoreland

“As members of the body of Christ known as Richfield Christian Church, we believe that we are called to share the Good News that leads people to Jesus Christ; called to provide a place of worship, spiritual support and nurture to all who come; called to support the growth and development of outreach and mission at home and abroad; and called to help train and educate those persons chosen by God to service in ministry, both lay and ordained—so help us God.”