WOW! It still seems like the best word to describe last weekend! We all were MAD for Jesus - “Making A Difference” – in our neighborhood and it was an amazing sight to see! Wanda Askins told me she and another member were wearing their MAD T-shirts in their front yard when a man drove by and asked them why they were mad! They had no clue what he was talking about until he told them to read their shirts!

It was an amazing weekend! Many thanks to Elizabeth Norman and all the members of the First Church Mission Council and our Site Coordinators for all their diligent, faithful, prayerful efforts that paid such rich dividends for the individuals served and the Kingdom! I was so very proud of each of you who were willing and able to participate. Over 220 of our members from the youngest to the oldest gave of their time and themselves to engage in our First Church vision “Serving with love.” I heard of many of our people getting to know each other better by “sweating” side by side at our various project sites. I had a great time getting to know two of our young adults – Rob and Ashley - while we were cutting down tree branches and hauling them away. Ever see a Methodist preacher up a Mimosa tree? You could’ve last weekend!

Our Celebration Sunday evening event was a great wrap-up time as we worshipped, prayed, heard a quick Word, watched a great “freshly finished” MAD Week video by Laura Alfonzo, and made our Faith Promise commitments for 2010-2011. You’ll hear more about those results soon!

This week began with historic rainfall amounts for much of OKC, Edmond and Guthrie with major flooding in several areas. I received a call from our member Barbara Dawson asking me to pray and calling others to pray for her 17 year-old daughter, Raquel, who was being dragged away by flood waters near their home. She had stopped to assist a woman stranded in her car. Many of you, like me, watched on Channel News 9 live as they attempted to rescue her from the top of some trees. She was located by the Channel News 9 helicopter pilot, Mason Dunn. The first boat sent to rescue her capsized with 3 rescuers on board. They too ended up in the trees before they all were rescued several minutes later. We prayed and watched as God spared Raquel’s life and answered all our prayers. I hope to give Raquel some time to share this Sunday in our 11:00 Service. God is faithful and God does respond to the prayers of His people. We’ve seen again this week.

First Church is a great church family! We’re as strong as our personal commitment to Jesus Christ and one another. Together we can accomplish so much more for the Kingdom! Thanks for being MAD for Jesus this last week. Keep lifting up the Name of Jesus in all you do. “..let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16). Blessings!

In His Amazing Love,
Mark

P.S. This is our Sunday to honor Dads. Be sure to be here and bring a Dad with you! We’ve got a sweet treat for every Dad present.