Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM) is a local organization serving people in desperate situations with a focus on returning them to self-sufficiency. One of their key fundraisers is a Christmas tree rental program where local businesses select a decorated tree for their business location. ICM needs some “guy help” on Saturday, December 5 at 8:00am to load about 40 decorated trees from the South Shore Harbor conference center into enclosed trucks and/or trailers and then on Monday, December 7 at 8:00am to deliver them to the local businesses. If you are interested in helping this great local organization on one or both days, email me at l_ktech@yahoo.com and I will put you on the list. Thanks- Lee
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Our first 'manly' day at CLPC was a great success. So how do we measure success? We had about twenty guys show up for the breakfast and most of whom were ready to serve. After good fellowship, we broke out into three work groups and were able to knock out most of the projects that Lee Swindler had identified. Big thank you to Lee for an outstanding job in scoping and pre-planning the projects. We could have done it all, except had to special order a door.
Big thank you to all of the guys that showed up and to those who took the time out of their day to serve others. Thank you to Jason as well for opening up his home, and garage, for a fun evening. If you have ever wondered what you get when mix a Virginia up-bringing with an engineering degree - check out Jasons garage and coat closets. Not your normal home set up but one that we all appreciated!
I was personally moved by Steve's stewardship sermon this past weekend. Especially the point that a few of us, or maybe it is just me, have sometimes given God the monthly left-over of our finances vs paying him first. I realize that left-overs are not much of a sacrifice. I think we all, or maybe it is just me again, sometimes treat our time and talents the same way. When it comes to service, it is hard to find the time. I think a better way to put it, is that we never have any left-over time in our busy schedules. Maybe it is time that we start giving God something a little more than left-overs with our time & talents as well as our finances.
So what is next? The Carpenters Hand ministry will continue to be the venue which we identify projects and opportunity to serve. For the month of December, we have several Christmas related projects that will need to be done. Beginning in January, we will probably start targeting the 2nd Saturday of every month as our Manly Service Day. If you are able and willing, then I am certain some projects will be available to work on. Projects will also require time beyond Saturday so there is plenty of opportunity to serve.
We are also planning many more fellowship opportunities in addition to our normal weekly gatherings and manly movie nights. Look for a fishing out late spring, potential spring golf outing, and many opportunities to cycle as the MS150 once again will be upon us in April.
What can you do now? Pray. Pray about what your talents are as well as what you would like to see out of a mens ministry for either service or fellowship. I especially realize that not all of us are blessed with the same skills and talents. Some of you are excellent carpenters, or electricians, or plumbers. Some of us, are not (just ask Nancy). Good news is that the skill and talent you do have is in need.
Fellowship opportunities and ideas - leave a comment, or see Sandy Fine, Jason Pettrey, or myself.
Ideas on service projects - leave a comment, or contact Lee Swindler, drop an e-mail to thecarpentershand@clpc.org or myself
Ideas on how to serve - leave a comment, or contact Steve, or myself
What to get connected to the mens ministry? Glad to have you. Leave a comment, or contact Rick Hainley, Mark Christensen, or myself.
Have a fantastic week,
Josh Strasner (the tall Josh ) & the men of CLPC
