1 Samuel 12:16-19: So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day,

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1 The Solid Rock Church ~ 1410 Dundee Road ~ Winter Haven, Fl ~ (863) Weekly Epistle Weekly Services: Sunday 1:00 p.m. ~ Wednesday 7:00 p.m. 1 Samuel 12:16-19: So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, We prayed for rain and God has responded. We are now experiencing the rainy season. While our lakes are not yet back to the levels we need, the rains are coming daily sometimes just in time for church services. Sometimes we re tempted to stay home and not venture out in the downpour. Perhaps we should reconsider; perhaps we need washing. A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Rocket.8 1

2 The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Let s run through the rain!' She repeated. 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain,' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said. 'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!' The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life, a time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. 'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD lets us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. ~~~ Rocket.8 2

3 The Season is: PENTECOST (Ordinary Time) This week s readings are: Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalms 139:1-12, 23-24, Romans 8:12-25, Matt. 13:24-30, A Note From Fr. Andy: Greetings Brothers and Sisters; I hope you are not only enjoying the weekly editions of The Rocket, but that you are feeling connected and learning more about the Solid Rock Church. I want to thank Yvonne Plummer for taking on this project, and don't you think she is doing an absolutely wonderful job!? Thank you again, Yvonne. The Solid Rock Church, while it has come a long way in only six short months, we still have a long, long way to go. Just this week we took our first steps to have our office set up where the staff can work together in one location and operate in a much more efficient manner. We are offering the Alpha Course this fall, beginning in early September. Also, the Crown Ministry course is being scheduled, and both are open to anyone in the Winter Haven area. I encourage you to let your friends know of these wonderful opportunities. All this takes people, and it takes money too. By now virtually all of us have received our economic stimulus checks from the government. While we received a lot of furniture for the office as a gift, there are still other expenses we must incur. Some donations have been received to help in these needs, but the needs are many; more than we have received funds to cover. Donations to the Flex Fund (the fund designated to be used for transition needs) have slowed down significantly. If you have not donated to that fund yet, I encourage you consider using some of those funds for the strengthening of your home church, and the furthering of God's ministry in this place. Thank you for considering this and we pledge to be the best stewards possible of all the funds you trust to God through the leadership of the Solid Rock Church. To God be the glory. Blessings, Fr. Andy + ************************************************************* God Bless Our Troops Rocket.8 3

4 Thank You Ed Ackenback would like to say thank you for response to his ad for sound techs. New sound techs are: John Finkbiner, Tina Hanson, Israel Mahoney, and Frank Schaffner, Welcome to the world of microphones, wires, and other sound gadgets. And thank you for your faithfulness in ministry. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SISTERS OF OUR SAVIOR There will be NO MEETING this month. The next meeting will be August 25, Meetings will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month thereafter. (This is a correction from last week s Rocket.) In lieu of the meeting, Sisters are asked to spend one hour of reading and prayer for the Sisters of our Savior, in discernment and meditation on what Jesus is saying to YOU. ~^~^~^~ Be ye fishers of men. You catch them, He'll clean them. Rocket.8 4

5 Food and Fellowship This Sunday, July 20 th, 9:00 a.m a.m., Covenant is having a pancake breakfast. Solid Rockers are invited to attend. Wednesday, July 30 th, 6:00 p.m. is Baked Potato Night. No covered dishes that evening. The dinner will consist of baked potatoes and a variety of toppings: Chili, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits you name it! Come and enjoy a tater and good fellowship. *+*+*+*+*+*+* A Reminder..MILLSTONE TRAINING For those who are scheduled for the Millstone Training this month, this is a reminder that the training will be held at the Plummer home tomorrow morning, July 19 th, 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided. *+*+*+*+*+*+* DID YOU KNOW: The Bible contains 1189 chapters. The Old Testament has 929 chapters and the New Testament has 260 chapters. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, and the shortest is Psalm 117. The longest verse is Esther 8:9, and the shortest is John 11:35 Rocket.8 5

6 The World Beyond Our Parish. The following is from the Pastor's Weekly Briefing from Focus On The Family McDonalds Joins National Gay Organization McDonalds Corporation has recently contributed $20,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in exchange for a membership and a seat on the group's board of directors. The NGLCC lobbies Congress on a wide range of issues, including the promotion of same-sex "marriage." This week, Liberty Counsel held a joint press conference with the American Family Association, Americans for Truth and the Illinois Family Institute to address the media on this issue. In joining the NGLCC, "McDonalds has publicly sided in the ongoing culture war against the majority of Americans who hold traditional family values. For this reason, AFA called for the boycott against McDonalds," states a Liberty Counsel News Release. McDonalds' corporate spokesman, Bill Whitman, told the Washington Post in response to the boycott that "hatred has no place in our culture. That includes McDonalds, and we stand by and support our people to live and work in a society free of discrimination and harassment." Matthew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented, "McDonalds should focus on food quality and safety issues instead of attacking the values held by the majority of people worldwide. Marriage between a man and a woman is the norm throughout the world. McDonalds' personal attack against those who support the traditional definition of marriage, while siding with a narrow group that promotes a radical redefinition, shows that company executives are out to lunch. McDonalds might as well change their signs to read 'billions and billions insulted.'" [worldnetdaily.com, Liberty Counsel News Release] Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds. --Norman Vincent Peale Rocket.8 6

7 THE BISHOP IS COMING AUGUST 3, 2008 Bishop John Miller will be with us on August 3 rd. For anyone wishing to be confirmed by the Bishop, Fr. Andy is offering confirmation classes that must be started NOW. Please call him TODAY to register for these classes. Also, please mark this date on your calendar. This is Bishop Miller s first visit to TSRC. Let s fill the pews with smiling faces. *+*+*+*+*+*+* Til Next Week, Rocket.8 7