Life in the Body
The last couple of weeks have brought significant gains and losses for our church family. We are excited to welcome David Smith and his wife, Ruth, into our community as our Worship Pastor. We will be ‘installing’ David in his new role this coming Sunday. I hope you can be with us to be a part of that. Please be sure to take a moment to welcome them personally into our fellowship.
At the same time, members of our church family have experienced some big losses. Donna Brown’s father, Charles Brown, passed away on Saturday, February 27 and his memorial service was held last Monday, March 7. And then on Tuesday of this week, Betty Lea’s father, Frank Mendenhall, passed away after an extended illness. His memorial service as not yet been scheduled. Please offer your support and prayer for these two women and their families who are now adjusting to life without their fathers.
Many of you were present last Sunday to hear the announcement about Doug Wheeler’s sudden death. He collapsed while playing the drums during the worship team rehearsal earlier that morning and despite valiant efforts by members of our worship team, our security team, and the emergency services personnel, he died within a couple of hours.
A memorial service for Doug will be held next Friday, March 18 at 3:00 in the afternoon at Greater Portland Bible Church. You are welcome to attend if you are able.
Doug’s family said that if he could have chosen the time of his death, it would’ve been while playing the drums in church. I wonder, are there drums in heaven? Maybe, but even if not, Doug isn’t missing them. He is far too occupied with that for which the rest of us now only hope: Doug is experiencing the full glory he was created to have; and, even better, he is face to face with Jesus and realizing that everything he learned about Him while here is completely true and yet just the beginning of who He is.