“So they came, both men and women; all who were of a willingheart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and pendants, all sorts of gold objects, everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord. And everyone who possessed blue or purple or crimson yarn or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or fine leather, brought them. All the Israelite men and women whose hearts made them willing to ring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.” Exdous 35: 22-29

Okay...so maybe it wasn’t quite on that grand of a scale, but the Pentecost “Birthday Party” for the church on June 4th, fetched a wealth of items the church needs with the same spirit of celebration that accompanied the making of the Sinai Tabernacle. Nicholas Ogunyankin and Andrew Kenney helped Pastor Ruth unwrap rolls of paper towels and reams of paper, as well as some higher end gifts from the St. Andrew’s congregation.

June 4th was also the day that we dedicated the fellowship hall in honor and memory of Pastor Carol Nolte. Ken Cominolo did an exquisite job of crafting the wood letters that adorn the two entrances to Nolte Hall. (Ken really ought to consider hanging out a shingle and start a second career!) Also, WELCA framed the large photo for the foyer, and Haydee and Gordon Chavis had a plaque made for the kitchen with Pastor Carol’s picture and her favorite food-based, (sorta), Bible passage. Leviticus 3:16. “All fat is the Lord’s”. These were paid for by donations we received specifically for a Carol Nolte memorial.

All in all, it was a wonderful example of the “cheerful giving” that the Apostle Paul mentions in his letters, and the joy of fellowship with God’s people on earth looking toward a much larger celebration in the future. If you missed the party, you can still give a present. Next month, the Sail will have a list of what we got, and what we still need.