This evening at 5:00 pm our Children’s Ministry Team once again is doing a “Second-Mile” ministry with the children of our church. Our children’s leaders and teachers do such an amazing job guiding young lives in the study of God’s word. They not only teach it; they show our children how to love God’s word. I am always amazed by the creativity they exhibit in making crafts and providing new resources to convey the truth of the Bible to the children. Our leaders are always doing something different. Nothing is the same or old and tired. The methods are always fresh and exciting.
 
This afternoon, it is important for parents and guardians to stay with the children throughout the event. This is an opportunity for mothers and fathers to fellowship together while the children have fun. You will learn about the restart of TeamKid which will begin soon. We want to encourage you to bring your children to the church every Sunday evening this Fall where they will continue their adventure through the Bible. Meet the leaders and teachers who will be guiding the sessions. There is no better plan for  children to be taught the entire Bible than what will be offered each week at Grace through the TeamKid ministry.
 
Two boys were playing in the snow one day; when one said to the other, “Let us see who can make the straightest path in the snow.” His companion readily accepted the proposition, and they started.
 
One boy fixed his eyes on a tree, and walked along without taking his eyes off the object selected. The other boy set his eyes on the tree also, and, when he had gone a short distance, he turned, and looked back to see how true his course was. He went a little distance farther, and again turned to look over his steps. When they arrived at their stopping place, each halted and looked back. One path was true as an arrow, while the other ran in a zigzag course.
 
“How did you get your path so true?” asked the boy who had made the crooked steps.
 
“Why,” said the other boy, “I just set my eyes on the tree, and kept them there until I got to the end; while you stopped and looked back and wandered out of your course.”
 
Thank you, Children’s Team Leaders for the straight path you are setting for our children. You are showing them the way, by keeping your eyes on Jesus and staying on course. Your sacrifices and example are being used by God to make their paths straight, “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.  Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.” (Proverbs 4:25-26)

God’s word tells us to be thankful, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; and His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness endures to all generations.” (Psalm 11:4-5)  Thanksgiving is encouraging. It is good for the soul.
 
After a busy summer schedule and an overwhelmingly blessed ministry in recent days, it is appropriate to pause and give thanks to God and to those who have worked hard to get things done and serve the Lord here at Grace. There are so many who have gone the extra mile and have served in over-and-above ways to Glorify of God.
 
First, let me thank all of our Vacation Bible School Staff, Leaders and Volunteers for the incredible “In The Wild” week of VBS in June. God blessed every effort you made to make this year’s Vacation Bible School a great experience. After 6 Vacation Bible Schools together, I believe this one was the best we have had yet. Thank you for your commitment to children. Thank you all for your dedication and joy in serving the Lord. Thank you for being the faithful people you are.
 
Second, thank you to our Student Ministry Team for the extra-mile service you have done to take our young people to Stone Mountain for the Laser Show and Tennessee for the Summer Rafting Retreat. You are making a tremendous impact on young lives building lasting memories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Thanks for leading our teenagers to be involved in Vacation Bible School. Their leadership in the music, worship time and classroom studies were so encouraging to the children. Thank you for the difference you are making in the relationships our young people have with each other and with the Lord.
 
Third, thank you Doug and Janet Bryant for all you did to minister to the Snyder family throughout the memorial weekend for Kathy Tyson. This family has been reunited with each other in remembering the life of our precious Kathy Kay. Everything you did to preserve the belongings, host the family, give advice and counsel to the Snyder’s during their stay with us was a rich blessing. I really believe that our church family was as blessed by your ministry as was our guests from Virginia and Nebraska. Thank you for all you did.
 
Fourth, thank you to every volunteer and church leader for the nuts-and-bolts of getting things done here at church. The floors are cleaned, the grass is mowed, the shrubs are trimmed, the tables are covered, the chairs are arranged, the doors are opened and locked, the stage is set up, the sound system is managed, classes are taught, cards and letters are sent, phone calls are made, praise and worship is led, and a hundred other jobs get done to keep our church moving forward for the glory of God.
 
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Without all that you do, God’s work would stall, and our church would suffer.

 
Let’s keep up the good work. In the hundreds of tasks and details you do every week, Jesus is exalted and the kingdom of God is advanced.

 
This afternoon we look forward to great food, fun and amazing fellowship as we enjoy this year’s annual church-wide picnic. Bring your side dishes, drinks and desserts. The church will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs, and buns. We always have ample food for everyone. Oh yes, bring your appetite.
 
Today, is a special day related to our picnic. While at the park, we will celebrate the home going of Kathy Kay Tyson together with her family from Virginia and Nebraska. Her two sons will be with us, Joshua and Jerry Tyson. Her aunt, Merna Neher Herzog along with her brother Wesley Snider will be with us. There can be as many as 8 family members here today to share in the memorial service. We look forward to welcoming Kathy’s family to our church and our worship this morning.
 
You might remember that I baptized Kathy at our church-wide picnic on the first year we held it at Bolding Mill Park. She had been visiting our church for some time, when she surprised me one Sunday morning coming forward during the invitation to make a profession of faith and present herself for baptism. I thought she had been saved for some time and had already followed the Lord in baptism. She wanted to confirm her faith in Jesus before the church and be baptized as a public commitment of her faith in Him. It was a glorious occasion.
 
Today we have the joy of sharing her faith personally with her family. I look forward to meeting each one of them and telling them more about Kathy’s love for Jesus. Doug and Janet Bryant’s Sunday School class will host the family during the Sunday School hour. The family will hear testimony and share firsthand with our members who were the closest to her. Kathy loved her Sunday School class. She was faithful when her health and work would permit her to be. She was a person who believed God’s word fully and made it a regular part of her life.
 
One night during her hospitalization, I stayed with her into the early morning hours. I prayed for her while listening to her breathe in and out. Her breathing was like that when a person is nearing the end of life. I thought about how hard it is to give up the breath that keeps us alive. I thanked God for His gift of breath. Though Kathy was not conscious, she did not miss one breath that night. She kept on breathing. I praised God and thanked Him for the opportunity and privilege of listening to Kathy breathe. Every breath we take is a gift from God, I remember thinking. Thank God for breath.
 
I pray God will breathe on our services today. I pray that they will be filled with life and hope and joy. Pray for Kathy’s family and pray that the breath of God will give life to our worship to the glory of God.