Rev. Mark Thomas, Senior Minister

Dear Friends,

It was a wonderful Rally Day that witnessed the return of our choir and many of our members and families following the weeks of summer. Max and Patti Komperda worked hard to provide a meaningful and coherent worship experience. The Youth and their leaders provided a wonderful potato bake lunch as they described in words and pictures this year's Mission Trip to Lot's Creek. Speaking of words... My nephew was recently visiting from his new home in China and he has become quite fluent in the Chinese language. One day when I was visiting him in Westlake, I came across the following article that explains why the English language can be so hard to learn.

~ We must polish the Polish furniture.
~ He could lead if he would get the lead out.
~ The farm was used to produce produce.
~ The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
~ The soldier decided to desert in the desert.
~ This was a good time to present the present.
~ A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
~ When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
~ I did not object to the object.
~ The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
~ The bandage was wound around the wound.
~ There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
~ They were too close to the door to close it.
~ The buck does funny things when the does are present.
~ They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line.
~ The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
~ After a number of injections my jaw got number.
~ Upon seeing the tear in my clothes I shed a tear.
~ I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
~ How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

And I thought Aramaic was hard! The Church is where we
learn another language altogether - one that is both spoken and given life. It is the language of faith and in this language we
learn that our words, if they are to be correct, must be words that encourage, that are supportive, and welcoming words
that invite.

Our faith language is offered on Sunday mornings but also must be lived out every other day of the week. It is offered when we greet each other and when we part. It is on our lips and in our hands as we provide the comfort of our words or in the assistance of our labor. This language is the means by which we will be judged if we are true to that which we say and our actions reflect what we proclaim. I know in my heart, that the following weeks and months will show just how faithfully we will both proclaim and live out the words of our convictions. For this is the work to which God has called us - to serve as God's hands and feet, and to speak the words God has placed in our hearts.

Your brother in Christ, Mark