Dear First Pres,

     When I was a kid, summers seemed to stretch on and on, but that has certainly changed over the years.  We're already three weeks into our summer sermon series on Proverbs.  This week we'll hear about God's care for the poor, and who better to bring us that message than one of our elders, Gerre Brenneman.  As the long-time director of Evangel Home, Gerre has learned a lot about the poor and a lot about God.  She'll be sharing some of that with us.  When I asked for a show of hands last Sunday, it was great to see how many of you are reading one chapter of Proverbs each day to immerse yourself in God's wisdom.  Way to go, church!  If you haven't started yet, it isn't too late.  Just pick up your Bible and begin on the chapter numbered the same as today's date: 9, and continue daily from there.

      Right after worship, plan to stay a while and enjoy serving in the fellowship of your Community Group.  It's the second Sunday of the month, the day our groups usually meet in our neighborhoods, only this week we will be meeting (all over!) our campus for a time of service to our community.  Even if you don't usually go, or have never joined in, you are welcome and encouraged to stay and participate.  Each group will be doing one of three things: putting together backpacks for kids who will attend Zoo 2 You camp (see more information below), or writing notes of encouragement and prayer for Evangel Home staff or some of FPC's other mission partners.  The activities were designed partly to give everyone plenty of opportunity to connect as we serve side by side.  It'll be fun, so plan to come!

     This Sunday is marked by an interesting co-incidence:  Our Dominican Republic Team (we'll be commissioning them during the worship service) will be at the Fresno airport waiting to take off at the same time that our Albania Team should arrive at LA International.  Yep, around 2:00 in the afternoon, we'll have both mission teams on the ground in two California airports at the same time.  I know you've been praying faithfully for both teams for months, and will keep on praying.  We'll all be looking forward to hearing from them about the ways God used them in ministry while they were away. 

     In case you weren't here last week, I am so pleased to confirm that our new HVAC system is not only installed, but is running smoothly and kept the sanctuary coolly comfortable on Sunday.  You might even want to bring a light wrap or sweater if you're a person who's sometimes chilly.  Thanks again to Torsten and so many others who persevered and made it happen.  Now that we can count on the sanctuary being a comfortable temperature, you can feel confident inviting neighbors and friends to come with you on Sunday mornings.  No more roasting and freezing, thank the Lord! 

With prayers for God's hand to be on you each day for blessings,

Lana