Announcements
SYMPATHY: to Connie Bock at the passing of her mother, Marian Cape, on Tuesday, September 2. Visitation will take place at the Church on Monday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. and the service will be at 11:00 a.m.
SYMPATHY: to Bob Lyons at the passing of his wife, Linda Lyons, on Thursday, September 4. Arrangements are pending.
SUPER SIXTIES CONNECTION: Everyone 55+ is invited to join the monthly meetings for a time of fellowship, singing, devotion, games, and lunch. The first meeting is on Thursday, September 25, at 10:00 a.m. in the Great Room. Please sign up at the Welcome Desk, so we can have an accurate count for lunch. Details are also noted in the Super 60’s Newsletter along with our other upcoming events.
CCS FUNDRAISER: Help support Carroll Christian Schools by purchasing a Discount Card for only $15 that can be used at many local restaurants and merchants. They are available for purchase at the Welcome Desk or through the School Office.
From My Heart
Welcome to “First Responder’s Appreciation Day” at the Church of the Open Door. We certainly welcome all of our First Responders and want to honor and thank you for what you do for our communities. We also welcome Bro. David Karnes and his wife, Rosemary, as our special guest speaker! His testimony is going to stir your heart as he shares several things about his heroic actions on 9/11. I hope you will make a big effort to welcome all our guests and make them feel right at home.
We have prepared a luncheon for our First Responder guests, and I want to invite our guests to stay after the service for a delicious meal prepared by some of our ladies. Our pastoral staff and their wives and children are invited to the meal as well!
All of us have probably had a “First Responder” assist us at some time or another. I witnessed a car accident once and stopped to assist the folks in both cars. The occupants of the first car were not injured, but the second car was occupied by an elderly couple who ran off the road, slamming into a concrete culvert, and were pinned under a collapsed dashboard. I stood beside the elderly man and tried to comfort and encourage him, and in just a few minutes, I could hear the EMTs, the ambulance, and the local volunteer Fire Department screaming towards us. When they arrived, I was thrilled to watch the speed and the accuracy with which they worked to free the elderly couple. Both were cut out of the car and sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Those folks saved the lives of that couple because the husband sustained a deep cut across his forehead and was bleeding profusely. But thank the Lord for folks who are willing to serve others in emergency situations!
In my mind, all of these “First Responders” are heroes! When you are in an accident, who comes to your rescue? When there is a fire, who comes to your aid? When there is an emergency situation, who selfishly gives every ounce of energy they have to help you? We should all thank the Lord for those folks who have chosen to give their lives to serve others. So, thank you to all of you who help us, protect us, serve us, and do all the wonderful things you do! We appreciate you more than words can say.
Have a wonderful day!
Pastor Norris