Lake Palestine U.M.C.
by Barbara Cade

We were excited to see the beginning of the ministry of our new Lay Pastoral Care team this past Sunday. A special consecration ceremony was held for Herb Botts, Dorothy Botts, Ann Blackmon, Lynn Davis and Bobbie Mathus as they offered their gifts and service to the Lord.

We need to give a special thanks to Jeff Davis, too, who is learning how to use the sound and video system. That is very much appreciated.

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Jack Whisenhunt. Dale and Mary Ann Whisenhunt attended his funeral last weekend.

It was good to see Donna and Rich Franko in the service this Sunday. They are back in town briefly before heading to Lake Sam Rayburn for a fishing tournament and then on to Conroe for a reunion with some of Rich's military buddies.

We hope for a safe trip for Ann Blackmon as she heads up to St. Louis this week for an Occupational Therapy conference.

Ken Cade took his mother, Rose Cade and Sylvia for a trip to Corsicana on Sunday to see the flowers. Unfortunately, not too many of them were out.

Ken and Barb Cade also went to the Four Winds Renaissance Faire near Troup on Saturday. The wind was extremely cold, but it was still a lot of fun.

It looks like Argyll Hicks will be coming home soon, or at least able to go to Ft. Worth to join Diana as she has her cancer surgery.

Dorothy Botts has now scheduled a biopsy for next week. We pray for a successful outcome on that.

John Riveire has decided that now that Barbara's arm is healing so well, he's going to go ahead and have knee replacement surgery. His first step in that process begins this week. We know he will feel a lot better after it's over with.

Angela Martin announced that it is now time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School. I guess that means summer is just around the corner, although it sure doesn't seem like it. Anyone interested in working with her on VBS should get in touch with her.

Joyce Martin had her second organizational meeting for the GED program this past Monday. She and Debbie Bernard have been looking into all the possibilities for starting a GED tutorial program on the lake.

Milton Decker announced that his son will be leaving for Iraq within the next few weeks. To wish his son well, to show our appreciation for what he is doing and to send him off with our prayers, the church will host a special dinner for right after church on May 6th. All those who have been a part of some branch of the military are asked to wear their uniform or some part of their uniform in honor of the occasion.

We want to wish a happy birthday to Bennie Brown and Josh Martin. We trust they got lots of cake and ice cream this past week.

Also, we need to give a big thanks to Rebecca Prather (Richard, too) for supplying the Education and Worship committees a great working lunch for their meeting after church last Sunday.

Don't forget, this Saturday, April 21st, is the Spiritual Gifts seminar at the church from 9am to 3pm.