4th of July

Well the Amherst 4th of July celebration was great! 200 decorated bikes, a kazoo band, bagpipes (I think I'd lke to try them sometime!), and a political show of enthusiasm for each candidate.

Bill Richardson was there (the only one) and I did shake his hand and look him in the eye. I won't let you know what I thought of him, since that's not the object of the Pantry, though.

The youth group had a good day selling cotton candy and quilt raffle tickets. Our new church banner looked great, and Connie's tent was a welcome shady escape.

We talked about having a float next year--wouldn't that be fun? And the event is ripe for evangelism. Did you see St. Luke's Anglican church there--giving away water and melon? How could we as a church show hospitality to the community and its guests on that day next year? Maybe with a place to sit and eat, or prayer beads, or free maps of the area?

All in all it was a great day. And since we saw the fireworks the night before--the rain didn't upset us. Hopefully it reminded all of us that God's blessing rains down on all the world, and that we are a part of the world with all its promise and challenge. The 4th is when we celebrate the birth of our nation, and ask God to guide her according to his will. But we are one of many peoples cherished by God. Let us use our power and influence in ways that hasten God's reign, and provide glimmers of that justice and peace here and now!

May God bless us and keep us! Now it's time to concentrate on the sermon gospel Luke 10:1-11, 16-20.