Dear Caldwell,
Greetings! Gail here at the keyboard this week.
I hope and pray that this blog finds you healthy, warm, dry, and rejoicing in the Lord. Despite all the bad news we see and hear about the world around us, we have reason to give God thanks. We can be grateful for food, clothing, a place to live, friends, a faith community, and also for the electricity, the internet, the computers, and the smart phones that make this kind of communication even possible. I am grateful for all of this and so much more. What are you grateful for today?
There is a lot going on around Caldwell this week.
First of all, the team of travelers we prayed over last Sunday in worship arrived safely in Tel Aviv. Please keep the entire team in your prayers – for strength and patience, for peace and joy, for stamina, and also for open hearts, open minds, and healthy bodies. May they receive all that God has in store for them. They return to Charlotte next Tuesday night, November 20th. We look forward to seeing photos and hearing about what they see and hear and learn and experience in the Holy Land.
Second, there is a group of Caldwellians heading up to Montreat for the 2nd annual all-church retreat this Friday. Fun will be had by all. I will be sharing a few things that God has laid on my heart and mind regarding the stories of our lives – both the stories that God is writing in our lives and the stories that we tell about our lives. I pray that our hearts will be filled with renewed hope and joy when we look back at what God has done, when we pay attention to what God is doing now, and when we look ahead with anticipation for all that God is yet to do. If you aren’t able to go with us this year, please plan to join us the next time we head up to the mountains.
Third, although many of us will be away from Charlotte this weekend, there will still be worship here at Caldwell on Sunday morning at 11am. Our Union Seminary intern, Donna Singletery, will be preaching, and our own dearly beloved Richard Harrison will lead worship with her. So come – and be prepared to be blessed and encouraged in the company of God’s beloved children.
And looking ahead, it’s time to start organizing for the MLK, Jr. parade – which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. Contact Helen Hull if you are available to help– Helen’s phone number is 704-806-1410. Or you can email her at nchelen2012@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!
See? I told you there was a lot going on. Caldwell is a church on the move.
Let us give thanks to God for all that She is doing in our midst.
Grace and peace, Gail Henderson-Belsito
PS. God continues to lead with grace, goodness, and generosity towards us. How will we respond and show our gratitude? How will you respond? Please remember to bring or send your Stewardship pledges to the church in the next week or two. Or you can click here and pledge online. We need your prayers, your presence, and your financial support. Thank you.