Sunday Funday
For those who know me well, know that I am not going to be in the limelight. That is why it was so silly for one of my best friends to ask me to be in the women’s dance in the upcoming Pine Valley United Methodist Church IGNITE fundraiser show! While I did not want to do this, I was thrilled for my friend. She had never done anything like this and she began telling us over a month ago that her singing and acting career was just getting ready to take off! The excitement of buying her 70’s outfit was a team effort with lots of pictures and texts! I heard all about the practices and got a sneak peek of the dance. All of this, always, surrounded by lots of giggles! Finally, the big day came and Sunday afternoon I rode with her to, hopefully, “keep the fans from swarming her!” When it was time for the California Dancin’ routine, I was most impressed with my friend's performance! We have been friends since we were five years old and I never knew she had that talent! I did remember my theater etiquette and brought her flowers as her adoring fan and a grateful theater patron! I tell you all of this to tell you how much joy this can be - before the show even started! I am reminded of how I love to hear my children laugh - I LOVE it! I believe that is how God feels when He sees His church come together for a time of fun! Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.”
What a wonderful way for my friend and many others to get to know others in our church family. Many new friendships were formed! For some people in the show it may have been their first time to feel a part of the church. It is a great way for youth and adults to get to know each other. And my friend wants to do it again! What a wonderful way for our members to want to serve. Sharing their talents for our youth’s fundraiser! And what a wonderful commitment for our children and youth to make to do this fundraiser and to spend a week on the road this summer as part of the music mission.
I loved “Away We Go,” which was a musical journey around the world. I am amazed at the talent in this church - we see it every Sunday morning with our music but to see the individuals and the groups that we do not normally get to see was a treat. I love seeing all ages and think that is what makes it so special. I am amazed at the creativity of the costumes! Even those with an injury did not let it stop them! That is what scooters are for! I almost did not recognize Pastor Tim until I saw the skinny jeans with the imprint of his phone! I heard someone comment on Mark’s piano playing saying, “Who knew he could park cars and play the piano?” There were 52 children, 100 youth, and 42 adults in this show! We didn’t just have people using their talents on stage but also many people behind the scenes working! One who was behind us was Steven who worked the camera for the live streaming. PVUMC is a busy place with many servant hearts!
And how wonderful for all of us to get to forget about everything else and go have fun and be entertained. I think we can all agree that life is not one big laugh. In fact, life can be hard with difficult trials but even the Bible says there is a “time to laugh.” Proverbs 15:13, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Laughter lightens your burdens, inspires hope, keeps you more focused on the positive and connects you to others! Isn’t that what we are about, connecting hearts to Christ and one another? In those moments that we are laughing, something happens to our souls. We are not carrying around the heaviness of the difficult day or the circumstances which had crushed our spirit. Instead, we have a sense of release during that laugh. We experience a surge of strength that we so desperately need. Proverbs 17:22, “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.” Sunday was such a fun day! Thank you, IGNITE, for a fun Saturday night and fun Sunday afternoon!
Psalm 126:2, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” The Lord has done great things for each of us, our youth and our church. He is blessing PVUMC! I thank God for the talent that fills our church and for the many servant hearts! I thank God for the generosity of His people that help make the trip to Orlando possible for the 100+ youth and adults!