Pastor's Notes

Over the next few weeks, I will be modifying the appearance of our weekly bulletin. I was recently given a new color laser printer which is faster and more efficient than the church copier. It prints faster and clearer than the copier, and I am hoping that the bulletins will have good eye appeal. Since I am not an artist, a lot will be done by trial and error. If there are items that are not currently being included in the bulletin that would be beneficial to the church, please let me know.

This past week was a difficult one for our family. Wednesday night, at dinner, I had to tell the children that we were going to be putting Smokey down the next day. Sarah and I got Smokey shortly after we were married. We had lived in my parents house and took care of their two dogs while they were up north. Within a couple weeks of moving into our own house, we received a phone call from someone who had to get rid of a 2 year old Shepherd. He was a delight to the family, and the kids miss him. Joel is still walking around the house looking for him. Originally, we had declared that when Smokey died, we would not get any more dogs. However, as I write this, Sarah and I are beginning to relent. I had forgotten all the pleasures that a dog brings to the home. Sarah has already started looking for another purebred German Shepherd puppy. This is also a first for me. Other than when I was in college and the couple weeks after Sarah and I moved into our first home, I have always owned a dog, and for the last 20 years it has been a German Shepherd.

Next Wednesday, the family and I will be leaving for 10 days. We are looking forward to an enjoyable vacation, and warm weather. It looks like the temperatures are rebounding in the south to the 70's. Of course, that means we will freeze all the more when we return home. It is a good thing that our first day back is a Fellowship Sunday with soup on the menu. I am looking forward to the time with you upon our return.

-Pastor Stephen Racite