It’s here!! The 10th Annual Memorial Marathon, remembering the 15th anniversary of the Murrah Federal Building bombing. We’ve had a full and meaningful week already and it’s just Thursday!

Many people shared in worship last Sunday where they were on Wednesday, April 19, 1995. Ruth Schwab gave a beautiful and encouraging personal testimony in worship and on the news this week. Laura Alfonzo and Kirk Norman both were on television (see News 9 Story) as well sharing about First Church and this Sunday’s “Second Wind” Marathon ministry. They both did a great job! “We’re looking good in the neighborhood!”

Last night, many of you came to help us blow up balloons, hang signs, set tables, hang banners, train as course marshals, stock bathrooms, etc., getting ready to “Welcome The World “ to our doorsteps this Sunday morning beginning at 5:00am! What a great opportunity to be a faithful witness for Jesus Christ and have fun, too! Hope you’ll all join us this Saturday night for our “Sunday Worship” and The Blessing of the Shoes ceremony at 7:00pm. We’ll have several runners and their families present with us for this special one-hour service.

You actually can worship with us on Sunday morning at 5:30am if you like! We’ll be hosting a brief service at The Survivor Tree with prayer, music, and the Word. The race kicks off at 6:30am with all of us cheering the runners from our front steps on Robinson Avenue. (I’ll be the slow, white-haired guy jogging toward the back!)

Remember Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” The race isn’t about winning, but finishing strong!

Thanks to each of you giving of your heart and time this weekend to bless others in Jesus’ name. I love you and appreciate each of you so very much! See you here!

Blessings,
Mark