The 45th Letter of Lee to the Olivet Church: “The “The “The “The little church with a little church with a little church with a little church with a big heart” big heart” big heart” big heart” 1019 Richmond Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401 The Rev. Lee Thomas, Pastor (540) 886-9353 olivetpres.org The Olivet Observer The Olivet Observer The Olivet Observer The Olivet Observer While reading last week I came across a funny tale of an old married couple who lived way back in the hills. Apparently, they had gotten lazy in recent times. They were sitting in their chairs watching TV. The wife said to the husband, “I think it’s raining, why don’t you go outside and see if it’s raining?” The husband didn’t move but his response to his wife’s request was, “Ah, lets just call the dog in and see if he’s wet!” From what I’ve seen at Olivet over the last years and certainly over these summer months in 2016 ,there’s not much laziness going on around here. I want to give a word of praise and a proverbial pat on the back for all that you’ve been doing this summer. Once again a mission team went to Baja. They built a home and helped restore hope for a family in need in a neighboring country. Thank you to the Baja team for going out again, on behalf of all of us, to share the love of Christ in an exhausting yet tangible way. Then it was time for Bible School. So much work went into Bible School preparations! A big thank you is due to all who made VBS happen for our kids. They sure seemed to have a great time in fellowship with each other, and I think they learned some good things as they dove deep into the Word of God. I’m glad we don’t have a problem with lazy people around here, because soon there will be more things going on. It won’t be long until the choir will be back in action. It looks like Rally Day with another picnic is being planned for the Sunday after Labor Day, which will be the second Sunday of September. Thanks ahead of time to all you dedicated Sunday School teachers who will so willingly sign up for another year of teaching! Then on the 13th of that month, our Tuesday night Bible Study will resume. We’ll be reading and studying the great prophet Ezekiel this fall. And hold on to your seat, I’m going to say it, with August having arrived it’s time to start thinking about… Christmas. So, there is a Christmas program to finish planning, (Just so you know, we already have volunteers in place to cook the food for that program). We’ll probably be doing a casting call soon for all who would be willing to take part in an intergenerational Christmas play for our program this year. Because I know you all are not lazy people I’m not worried that you’ll make me beg! (Please don’t make me beg). And of course, as always, in the midst of those things the circles will continue to meet and do their work. Confirmation classes have begun. We’ll continue making plans for our West Virginia flood relief mission work. We’ll continue collecting items for the needy that are distributed by SACRA. And I have no doubt that other great work will be going on that I may not know of or have failed to mention. As we move toward fall I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to remind you all that there’s something everyone can be doing at Olivet. Have a great month!