October 2, 2012

An important October occurrence at LABC is our observation of Diversity Month. This year we will honor and consider the “Ages and Stages” of life beginning with a celebration of our senior adults this Sunday.
October is also the month in which we honor World Communion Sunday and participate in the World Mission Offering in support of the international mission of the American Baptist Churches USA. This offering provides essential support to our missionaries as they work for the physical, mental and spiritual well being of our global neighbors. We have not set a church goal but let me suggest that we try to surpass last years giving of $2877 dollars.
The first Saturday of October is our “Blessing of the Animals.” As the World Mission Offering represents our concern for the people of planet earth the blessing represents our concern for the well being of the animals with whom we share the earth. Proverbs 12:10 reads “Good people care about the well being of their animals.” At the Blessing we commit ourselves to this goal. Gather on the front steps of the sanctuary at 2:00.
My sermon on Sunday is titled “Less Than a Month Now.” I will note that we are less than a month away from Election Day 2012 and ask us to consider how our faith and our values will shape our vote. I will draw from a column by Mark Wingfield, Associate Pastor of the Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, TX titled “Love Your Neighbor With Your Vote.” Wingfield writes, “So here’s a challenge. Ask yourself how your vote could be cast in ways that would demonstrate love for your neighbor.”

Prayers of the Congregation

• The ministry of the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate
• The ministry of the Alliance of Baptists
• The ministry of the American Baptist Seminary of the West (I will be attending the Trustee meetings Friday and Saturday)
• The ministry of Redwood Glen Camp and Conference Center (Executive Director Mike Socia was with us in worship on Sunday.)
• Thanksgiving for all who are celebrating birthdays this month
• Chuck Johnston for his dad
• Marie Johnson for Donnie and for Hazel Pierce and family
• Phil and Gloria Meads for Cynthia, Sam Paul and Adele
• Thanksgiving that Greg Reimer is home from the hospital, prayers for his family in their role as caregivers
• Toni Daniels for her family
• Georgia Upshaw for Ginnie
• Sandra Dunn for her dad
• Ted and Doris Evans for their family
• Ann Fields for her family
• Jeanne Robinson recuperating from cataract surgery
• Joan Thatcher
• Richard Ice
• Joan Patten for Paula and Lois
• Thanksgiving and greetings from my sister as she continues to recuperate
• All who are traveling
• All who are grieving
• Al Johnson and Roy Browner
• Chris Boisvert for his mom
• All our shut ins
• The people of Syria