Dear Caldwell,
There is good news on multiple fronts today at Caldwell church.
First, Angela Everitt’s surgery was very successful and she is headed home today from the hospital. She and Jim deeply appreciate everyone’s prayers and kindness. “We have such a loving church,” she said to her mother this morning when I visited her hospital room. We will continue to pray not only for her speedy recovery but also that this surgery is the last time she has to deal with breast cancer.
Second, as you may have seen in today’s paper, the Salvation Army has been awarded a grant of $152,000 that will keep the Shelter at Caldwell open through May. This ministry and our guests have become such an important part of our life at Caldwell, so this is truly a blessing for all involved. With 3.5 more months of operations secured, Caldwell and the Salvation Army will now move ahead in studying how we can achieve even longer term funding. You can read more about the most current grant here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/04/2034724/donations-fall-short-of-needs.html
Jackie Abernathy’s great-grand daughter (her fifth!), who has been in critical intensive care since her birth a few weeks ago, has gotten stronger. This week her parents held her for the first time and the doctors hope to move to a less-critical ICU in time as she gets stronger.
This Sunday, please put a few dollars in your pocket and make plans to eat at Caldwell after worship. The Caldwell youth, with assistance of Kelly Cleghorn and Johnny Frazier, are preparing several varieties of soup and bread. Proceeds from the lunch will support the Youth’s Souper Bowl of Caring project, which has raised about $800 in each of the last two years. The funds raised will suppport local hunger and homeless ministries.
What role do the Ten Commandments play in your faith journey? That is a question we will take up in worship with the start of a new sermon series. We can also look forward to celebrating communion. At 9:45 before worship, our bourgening Sunday School class will continue its series on the book of Joshua.
If you or someone you know has been considering becoming a member of Caldwell, the session will meet to receive new members immediately after worship.
As always there is so much more to report but I will leave it at that for now. See you Sunday.
In Christ,
John