Congregations meet in tornado-torn town

By ROXANA HEGEMAN,

Associated Press Writer

Sun May 13, 7:38 PM ET

Church leaders on Sunday told more than 3,000 residents, volunteers and disaster workers gathered in this tornado-ravaged community they should not fear the future because God was with them.

The non-denominational service marked the first time the congregations have worshipped in Greensburg since a May 4 tornado destroyed more than 90 percent of the south-central Kansas town and killed nine people.

Tears and hugs were common as many residents saw each other for the first time since the tornado. Volunteers passed out flowers to mothers in honor of Mother's Day.

"We are a scattered, dispersed community. But the Lord Jesus is our redeemer and is with us. 'Do not fear for I am with you,' says the Lord," said Rev. Gene McIntosh, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Greensburg.

Tim Henning, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Greensburg, likened the city's plight to that of Job in the Bible, whom God tested by taking away everything he loved but who kept his faith through it all: "We are like him, we lost everything," he said.

Henning reminded residents that God was still with them.

The congregations held hands as Willard Olinger, the elderly pastor of Faith Tabernacle, reassured them that Greensburg will be rebuilt, even if it is not within his lifetime.

This is Saddleback Worship

Saddleback Worship - He Reigns

3 min 53 sec - Dec 10, 2006
Average rating: (38 ratings)


Compare this to the Welcome the Black Parade.
Is Saddleback even reaching the culture today?
(I couldn't get google to post it to blogger so you'll have to use the link) Sorry.

Zachary gets Baptised

This last Sunday Zachary got Baptised by sprinkling by the DS. Zachary was so scared he clung to Bob the whole time and was near tears. It surprised me, since he is usally so boisterous. At least he wasn't bouncing all over the place. Instead of a lunch afterward, we hosted the meet and greet breakfast. Alot of people showed up and we had hardly anything left. Of course all the teenage boys helped clean up the food too.

The DS told this congregation that they represented family to us and to Zach. And because they have loved and accepted us they represented that and family to the community as well. Not sure I am expressing this right. But I think that was the most profound thing he said, well at least to us. I am not sure they got it. But that is true. They are family to us since ours is so far away. And they are family to those who have none or are far away too. And since they have loved and accepted us, they do have that to give to others. Now if they'll do that.....

So Zach got Baptised Sunday. No he is not an infant, but he is an infant in the faith. Yea!

Wade in the Water

Well would you believe it, I performed a Baptism in a Baptist Church?

One of the children of St. John wanted to be Baptised by immersion. We weren't sure they would let me do it, but they were gracious about it. So we went to the church in the afternoon to do it. I kept it like a worship service, and not just a "dunk and go" service. Quite a few of our church members came out along with the family and extended family. Found out as I was going into the Baptistry that they had also invited the former Pastor to be there too. (He is 18 miles away.)

Well, I didn't want it to be a comedy but it had some of the makings of a good comedy. I have done Baptisms in the rivers, creeks, and swimming pools with no problem, but I weren't sure about this one. It was a cold cold windy day, so I borrowed the Preacher's waders. They of course were twice my size, didn't realize he was such a big man. The worst part was the boots were really big for my feet. As I was going down the steps which were too little for the boots and had no railing, I nearly slipped and fell. But finally got down by leaning over and putting my hands on the outside of the Baptistry. I got to the bottom and helped the girl into the pool. Of course she had no problems, but when she got down into it the water was higher than she. I got her over to the middle which was formed with three platforms. I could see everybody out there, but they could just barely see me and her. Do you know that the water pressure causes the waders to vacuum around you? It was the weirdest feeling. But we did it without a hitch. I was thinking I need to get me my own waders that are made for petite women like me. I have a feeling I am going to be doing a whole lot more Baptism by immersion.

This Baptism brought back memories of my childhood baptism. I remembered going up the back steps around to a room that led to the Baptistry. It was dark and scary for me then. Mom went with me to help out. The water was freezing then, and mom forgot towels and a change of clothes. We still had the service to seat through. I nearly drowned, because I was too short and even though they had some bricks to stand on, I couldn't reach them. But I was baptised and it meant the world to me then, I knew Jesus was in my heart and that I loved Him and He loved me.

There are some pictures of this baptism I did, but they are not digital, I'll have to see if I can scan them in for you to see them. I don't have any from when I was a kid, you know they didn't take pictures of those back then, unless it was a baby's baptism.