Fall fundraising time!

In both of the churches I serve.

Let me talk about that a little first - what it's like to serve two churches.

Actually - no big deal.

It's really like one church that happens to be blessed with two locations. Many churches have two morning worship services. So do we - except in different buildings: 9:00 a.m. at Eastern Hills and 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew.

St. Matthew and Eastern Hills have the same preachers, the same order of worship, the same programs, and many of the same people shuffle back and forth between the two.

For the purposes of mission and outreach - and for several other reasons - I wish the two churches shared the same name. It would uncomplicate our public image.

But having the two locations is wonderful. It brings richness and variety to ministry - and in one place or the other gets us next door to everyone in East Fort Worth.

Our Lord said you can't serve two masters - and I don't. I serve one great church family in two locations.

Having the two locations makes it easier for us to have two great fall events: a big Fall Festival and Sale at St. Matthew and a wonderful Pancake Breakfast and Christmas Sale at Eastern Hills.

These events are more than fundraisers. They are fellowship events that get people working together - and give us a chance to meet and greet visitors.

And they are fun.

The St. Matthew Fall Festival and Sale is this Saturday. We'll have everything from antiques to tools, and a silent auction with some really good merchandise.

I will be there. all day. Just ask me and I will give you a guided tour of the beautiful sanctuary - with a special look at the old Scottish pulpit, c. 1840.

And I will show you the 1896 pulpit (in the narthex) from the original clapboard church, back when St. Matthew and Eastern Hills were called Glenwood Methodist - and at that time they really were one church!

So - Fall Festival this Saturday - October 11-at St. Matthew-8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Then - the next weekend - the action moves to Eastern Hills for a Pancake Breakfast - October 18, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

The men said they would cook - if the women would clean up. (Bad deal, of course. Have you ever seen the mess men make when they cook?)

I will be present to welcome you.

I hope you will support these efforts in both churches. Proceeds from both events will go to mission outreach and Christian service.

And by the way - on Sundays in both churches - we have worship!

And if you want to join us for that, I know you can find us. With two locations - we're all over the place!

And there are plenty of other good churches around, too.

Be in church somewhere this Sunday.

And if it's not at a church I serve - you can at least tell them I sent you!

God bless.

Hope to see you Saturday - both this week and next.