Shepherd's House - 2nd Sunday after Pentecost

This Sunday will begin a summer long look into the history of the Hebrew people in 1 and 2 Kings, Amos, Hosea, and Isaiah. This is usually called the Deuteronomistic History by some scholars that begins with Deuteronomy, continues through 1 &2 Samuel, 1& 2 Kings, and ends with the prophets Amos, Hosea, Micah and the first chapters of Isaiah. It carries several common themes of retribution and redemption important to the people of God between the Exodus and Exile.

​Looking forward to hearing about Elijah's clash with the prophets of Ba'al on Mount Carmel. Side note: Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon has a block of stone from Mount Carmel in their Stone Garden (170 Mansfield Rd). (map)

It was good to have Dan and Coralee with us on Sunday after their return from the Philippines. I was able to brag about them a little bit while in Kansas City this week.

Last Week's Travel to KC
On Tuesday night to Thursday morning, I was at meetings with World Mission personnel Marty Hoskins, Grant Christy, Jenna Stout and Verne Ward as well as eight Nazarene missions professors from the US/Canada universities and seminary. 

I was also able to meet with eight MVNU graduates attending seminary. I also ran into Mikey McPherson staying with his family until his assignment begins next week at Indianapolis Shepherd Community as well as another student of mine on an internship with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

I was a little proud, I admit, to hear that Kelly Vargo, one of my ICS students, wrote a paper that won an award and will be presenting it during the Compassion Conference in July held at Olivet Nazarene University (it's the same week as our district assembly or I'd be there!).

It was a long 72 hours but it was good to be back in Knox County when I pulled this Friday morning at 4:00 a.m.

PALCON
Next week is PALCON (Pastors and Leaders Conference) being hosted on MVNU campus. There are plenary sessions in the evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. with Dr David Graves on Tuesday evening, Dr Dan Boone on Wednesday, and Dr Scott Daniels on Thursday. (I'm not sure you can come without registering but I'm not sure anyone will turn you away at the door!)

I will be conducting a seminar on hard to reach people on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the Campus Center 244. 

​Organic Church Network
On Friday morning, June 3, I will be part of the team putting together the Nazarene Organic Church post-conference Meeting. We have 30 registrants including some DSs, pastors, and lay leaders from across the country. It will start at 8:30 a.m. in the Jetter Business Center round room. Howie Shute, Bill Wiesman, Mark Montegomery and myself will be the speakers. We will also have a significant time of prayer and brainstorming on how to reach the Great Lakes megaregion through church multiplication. 

Notes from Sunday
Last Sunday
Sunday Word & Table in Apple Valley
Attendance: 30
Giving: $900

This Sunday at Church
Worship at 10am in Apple Valley
Home Group at 6pm (meeting at church)

Readings for the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost
Call to Worship: Psalm 96:1-9
Old Testament Reading: 1 Kings 19:20-21 (22-29), 30-39
Epistle Reading: Galatians 1:1-12
Gospel Reading: Luke 7:11-17

​Coming Up
June 5 -- Jon Gerlach, our summer and youth intern will be preaching on this morning. I will be at Fostoria OH Church of the Nazarene preaching on how to reach the Great Lakes megaregion at the invitation of Pastor Bernie Dickson.

​June 12 -- Sundays at 5pm Word & Table in Downtown Mt Vernon  starting summer practice services again and meeting every other week.

June 19 -- Missionary Speakers
Bernie and Rhonda Slingerland are Global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene serving in the Mesoamerica Region overseeing the work in 31 countries in Mexico, Central America, Panama and the Caribbean. The MAR Regional Office is in Panama City, Panama. They have served in missionary assignments in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Venezuela. They have served as missionaries since 1995.
Their daughters Hannah and Abigail are students at MVNU.