One of the things that I'm pleased about is that most all of our programs that are helping and blessing people are under the leadership of laity.   I spend my time as the visioneer and cheerleader of the church. My role is to be a leader of leaders.  The fact that Upward Basketball/Cheerleading/Soccer is lay led, Celebrate Recovery, Choir, Yarn Spinners, Life Groups, Sunday School, and so many of or programs are lay led is a good thing.  My message this past Sunday has a lot to say about this whole idea.  Blessings to you all.   Pastor Aaron

Had a great staff meeting yesterday.  Besides our goals for the week, we talk mostly about the question, "Are we making disciples in the areas of children, youth and adults?"  I had shared with the staff a summary of a book titled, Simple Church, that I had read over my vacation recently in Wisconsin.  The book supposes that each church has a system in place that helps move people from one step to the next in making disciples.  The staff all agreed that we need to examine this aspect of church life.  I'll be talking about it tonight at Leadership Council.  I mentioned it very briefly in last Sunday's sermon.  Good things are happening.  I return from Annual Conference in Muncie last week with energy and vision.  What I've said in this paragraph about Simple Church goes hand in hand with what I heard from Bishop Robert Schnase, our speaker. He is famous for his book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.    Andrew, my youngest son, is now in Costa Rica.   Isaac, my firstborn waits to hear about a job in Kentucky.   Cynthia is as beautiful as ever.   Love to you all.   He's leading me and us.

Pastor Aaron

May 26

Attending our yearly preschool graduation service always touches my heart.  Seeing these little ones entering the sanctuary with their little square graduation hats on top of their big smiles...brings a smile to me.  Seeing the parents, grandparents snapping pictures of this big moment tells me how pleased they are of their little one's success.  Mount Pleasant is honored to have a preschool of such fine quality.  Cynthia, my wife, always hates to see this night come because it means she has to say good bye to her little friends, but on the other hand, she's so proud of them.  "Thank you Lord that I get to serve a church with a vital preschool for our community.  Amen."   Pastor Aaron

May 25

THIS is my first blog entry. (Applause)  I thank Marc Emmerke, our web master, for keeping our website on the cutting edge AND for his clear instructions on how to do a blog.  Thank you Marc.

What's going on in my life?   This is the last week that Andrew will be home with us.  Saturday he will leave us and head for Florida where he will meet with Wycliffe Bible Translators for a memorable summer of travel through South America (spec. Costa Rica and Peru).   AND Isaac is going for an interview this week for an IT job at a very famous Christian school.  "Lord, bless my sons.  Keep them in the center of your will.  Use them to your glory.   Amen"

I invite the reader to listen to my sermon this past Sunday, based on  Psalm 37.3-5.  May you be blessed.

Pastor  Aaron E. Wheaton