First, we are recognizing one who has been contributing to our identity in a very special way. It’s Elisha or Miss Elisha as most every kid in our church knows her. Miss Elisha is our nursery staff attendant on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. Elisha is moving back home to Trinidad. And although we are very happy to hear she is going back home to family, we are sad to say goodbye. If you’ve ever watched a kid run down the hallway towards the nursery, it’s because they are excited to see Miss Elisha. On Sunday we will honor her service. We will have a cake at fellowship time to honor her and her family. You’re also invited to contribute to a financial gift for Elisha… See me or Deb or Jody if you’d like to participate.
I’m also very excited to tell you about an exciting relationship that begins this Sunday. Faith Vietnamese Fellowship UMC, a small Vietnamese community will be worshiping with us. I’ll introduce you to their pastor David and his wife Que. This fellowship will be using space in our facility on Sunday following our service. I have been so inspired by David and Que’s story of coming to America and their commitment to our faith. They have been so very faithful, gracious and generous. We’ll offer a prayer of support, share in the sacrament of Holy Communion and enjoy some of Que’s homemade Vietnamese egg rolls at fellowship time. She’ll make enough for everybody to have one.
We will also dedicate our financial pledges for 2018. I was talking with members of our leadership team about what we should do or say on Sunday concerning this. It occurred to me that we are already witnessing to the vitality that I hope inspires financial support. We are saying goodbye to Elisha who has been with us for nine years through this amazing rise in our vitality. She has been the welcoming presence for children and the face which says that here we are, “Small Enough to Care.”
Pair this with the saying hello to the Vietnamese Faith Fellowship, a new way of recognizing that we have resources and capabilities that make us Big Enough to Make a Difference and well… enough said.
So before this Sunday, I invite you to pray for Miss Elisha, our wonderful caregiver in the nursery, and the Vietnamese Faith Fellowship, our newest brothers and sisters in faith. And pray about your financial support and how it will reflect the continued impact of this community of faith we call EPUMC where we are Big Enough to Make a Difference, Small Enough to Care.