A Guest Post... Thank You...

First, a word of explanation for those who aren't familiar with the back story.

Our guest poster, Beth Reed, is a member of the Argyle family. Her 13 year old daughter, June, was in an accident on Saturday, January 22. She suffered a serious head injury, and was admitted to Wolfson Children's Hospital that day. Her injury was potentially life-threatening, with the possibility of permanent damage.

Dear Church At Argyle:

I've been trying for a few days now to compose this thank you but I'm struggling. The words just don't seem to want to flow. They are all kinda log jammed in my brain. I know sometime soon the log jam will clear and the words will rush out of me like a verbal water fall but until then I guess this will have to do. 

Yesterday marked the end of what I can say with clear conscience was the single worst week of my life. It ended when I left June with her sister and ran to the store to get her prescription. Returning home I could hear it before I got out of my car. Music. Loud music. The path my heart took from chest to stomach when I saw the police car last Saturday was now reversing. I could feel its joyful beat and it dislodged itself from my stomach and happily marched back into my chest. As I opened my front door and walked straight into a wall of music, God was there and He said “See, I told you.” I walked into the kitchen and just let it roll over me. The sight of my girl, no, not MY girl, OUR girl perched in her daddy's chair whaling away on her drum kit. I knew it was going to be alright. 

You, my beloved Church at Argyle have been there every step of the way. From Mrs. Sarah showing up in the ER before June had her first CT-Scan, to the Bass family surviving getting puked on in the ICU, (dude, by the way - June puking on the Student Pastor has now become family legend) to Mrs. Donna holding her hand while June talked her way through her PICC-line installation, to Mrs. Amy standing on her feet for HOURS holding June's hand and bringing tape! To “Awesome Emmie” bringing love and letters, to Pastor Hal defending Peter and Paul, to Mrs. Sarah laughing off June's verbal filter failure and finally, to the vastness of the prayer chain, thick and ponderous with its power. 

I have never experienced anything quite like the last week but what amazes me most is what I've found in the midst of the chaos. The moments of love and laughter and support and learning that your prayer afforded me. God saved my child, He brought her back to me, but you? You lifted me up and you opened my eyes so I could see. 

In the face of all of this, thank you seems rather inconsequential but as Mrs. Sara admonished me “Beth, just say thank you.” (Yes Ma'am Ms. Sarah.)

To you Pastor Rick, Mrs. Donna, the leadership, staff and congregation of The Church At Argyle, I say,

Thank you!

Beth Reed

A Word From Amy...

Dear Faithful and Loving Children's Ministry Leaders–

Sunday, something happened. I was washed with a feeling of gratitude.

I was going around the church to see our small groups this past Sunday. It was at too fast a pace because I had to get to the next thing, but I noticed something important. I saw how blessed we are with leaders who love the children they are leading. I know I tell you that I appreciate you but I want to give you some specifics so you know that I do see you and recognize your effort and dedication to the Lord in your service to Him.

I talked to leaders who connect with the parents of their children on Facebook or let them know they missed them when they miss a Sunday – not in the "where have you been?" tone that makes someone ashamed they've missed church, but in that "we've missed you and are so glad to see you" tone that lets a person know they matter and that you care about them.

I saw leaders comfort an upset child nervous on their first visit, whether the child is in their small group or not.

I saw leaders who are glad to be here, and know their small groups well, who take time to make sure everyone's name is on the roll and even try to get the spelling right!

I saw leaders who see that their small groups are into an activity that they didn't get to finish, and do their best to let them finish it the next time they serve.

I saw leaders who listen, who give, who get here early, who do the extra stuff, so often without anyone else knowing.

That is service to the Lord! I know you do it for Him. Thank you for blessing me and more importantly our children and their families, with your time, energy and love!

Renewed Energy and Peace in Christ,
Amy

One Woman's Journey... A Guest Post

Not all that long ago, if you were to ask me "What do you think about God?" I would have gone on this long tirade about Christians. At my kindest moments I would think them boring, naive and bad dressers and I regularly said "I will NEVER be one of THOSE people". I equated God to his people and not the other way around and my opinions were not kind.

Then I lost a  bet with God and I reluctantly returned to church. In those early days I was aggressive, even MORE judgmental than usual, and defensive. I just knew those people would condemn me so I condemned them first. I steadfastly kept God OUT of my blog, out of my life and out of my heart. Those days the only thing that kept me coming back was KidStuf and Mary's hugs. In those early days Pastor Ken was not MY pastor and in fact, I was convinced if he said the word "Literally" ONE more time, well, even I would not spork a pastor, but...

It was before Pastor Hal refused to let me goad him. It was before Ms. Amy cast her spell on me and made me love her. It was before my beloved 4th grade tweens, before the Dorcas ladies, before the Cafe Club. Back then I mocked The Promise and thought talk radio was for freaks and kooks. Then I showed up at the doors of the church one November Sunday and found KidStuf.

To you, the leaders, players and Students of KidStuf, I say thank you. Every cold morning, every missed vacation, every night rehearsal and every other imaginable sacrifice you made to put on a production of KidStuf every week saved me. You broke down Christianity into bite sized pieces and fed it to me in a way I could digest. When Pastor Ken was still talking over my head, you spoke directly to my heart. You found me and you lead me to a real relationship with Christ. One virtue, one song and one laugh at a time. You broke through my strong defenses. With each new secular song I heard in church the wall cracked. When I saw a grown woman in pigtails bouncing around the stage the cracks deepened. When I saw a strong black man dressed as a pregnant woman the wall crashed to the ground. Once you brought down my defenses Pastor Ken got in and was never again THE pastor but MY pastor. Once that happened there was no going back. God walked it and did what God does.

Over the next few months I discovered I was the one Pastor Ken spoke of when he said "Those no one else wanted." I was Mary Nobody. I was the beaten down, the scorned, the lost. I was the one who felt I was too broken to be saved. I was convinced I was going to hell and I would take you with me given half the chance. I knew every section of the Bible that I could mock or use in my arguments but had no idea how many books in contained, how it started or how it finished. I knew every verse that was inconsistent, or could conveniently be twisted but had no idea how many times the word "Love" was used. Yes, I am the one this church changed course for. I am the face of Mary Nobody.

These days there is rarely a day God is not in my blog. Should  you find yourself in my car you will hear either a podcast for my "God Pick" playlist. I am married to the same man, live in the same house, drive the same car, have the same job but nothing is the same.

Now, I give God the credit for the dramatic changes in my life, but The Church at Argyle was His tool. THOSE  people pried open my heart so God could get in and completely transform me. I am not worthy to be called one of THOSE people but I'm honored to be among them and I am forever grateful.

With Gratitude & Love,
Beth Reed

Some words from Rick's heart for the Argyle family...

Dear Argyle Family,

Last Sunday night was a wonderful event and experience for us. I found myself getting verklempt (Mike Myers/Coffee Talk) at the end and wasn't able to express all that I wanted to share.

My partner in ministry for 34 years (in fact, we were in ministry together 2 years before we married) is vital to everything God has called us to do. (You think I don't know that the only reason you keep me around is so you can have Donna.) Her heart, commitment and love for people is a beautiful thing to behold. I cannot imagine doing this without her. Like Ms. Becky, she is a model pastor's wife. It truly was love at first sight.

Our children are such a joy and inspiration to me. I've learned so many life lessons by hanging with them. To know they love me and are praying for me is huge.

My parents and Donna's parents are extraordinary people. How do you put a value on never doubting for a moment that you are unconditionally loved? The only problem with having parents like that is that I don't have anyone to blame for my screw-ups.

My dear friend Ken shaped my heart and life in so many ways. I miss him greatly. I still feel as though I'm just filling in for him. Maybe someday I will be a smidge of the gentleman and Christ follower that he exemplified. To have the support of Becky, Kenny and Darrell in this new adventure is beyond expression. Becky, thank you for your affirmation again Sunday night.

Amy, Terri, Hal and David are all very gifted and have a heart for God and the Argyle family. Thank you for your words and actions of encouragement. We are blessed with a wonderful team.

Our Creative Team, Drama Team and Technical Team all play a part not only in last Sunday night's event but every week as we work together to bring people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything you do, on or behind the stage, makes an impact. I know that it doesn't happen by itself. Thank you.

It's a beautiful thing to see your racquetball buddy grow into a Christ follower with a servant's heart. Thank you, Leroy and Kitchen Team. You are amazing.

I appreciate very much the words of encouragement from Phil and Tim. They have known me many years. It's hard to fake someone out for that long. The fact that they seem to still have respect for me is very humbling. Also, thank you Evie and Connie.

Some of the video was a little embarrassing. But I did it, so I've gotta take it like a man. Yet, we were very passionate that we needed to speak The Message in the language of the 70's and 80's culture. Maybe God found a way to use some of that stuff for His glory.

Thank you, Argyle Family, for your love and support (though you are my main source of High Anxiety). The anxiety is not because of anything that you have done. It's the weight of the responsibility. Since I'm teaching that to have anxiety is wrong, I probably should stop it. I am thankful that God is growing me to trust Him to care for you.

I'm convinced that some of the world's most wonderful people are in our midst.

If I left you out, I'm sorry. I'm getting verklempt again.

Rick

A word from Rick...

Dear Argyle- September 5 was an incredible day at Argyle! What a beautiful thing it was to see the different parts of our body work together as one. I am so thankful for and proud of our KidStuf Team, our Greeters and Ushers, Dan and the Chairmen, Leroy and the Kitchen Team, Amy and the Children's Ministry Team, Beth, David and Kim for capturing the event with photos, Tommy and Ricky for building the Snow Cone House, Leroy's Dad for donating the Snow Cone Machine, Leroy's brother, John, who delivered the machine and everyone who stepped up to cover all of the costs of the day so that we could offer everything without charge. Over 600 attended and everyone enjoyed a great show, food, fun and Christian fellowship. It doesn't get any better than that! Two weeks ago, 30 wonderful people became members at Argyle with two coming for baptism. God is good! See you Sunday, Rick

A word from Rick...

I met with someone this week who has been visiting our church.

This is someone I respect very much.They went on and on about how awesome our worship and music is at Argyle.

We are so blessed. Please don't take for granted the wonderful team that God has assembled at Argyle.

God is good!

Rick Painter

Worship Arts Pastor

Starting The Search...

The deacons have named a Pastor Search Committee – Kim Bass, Wade Collier, Terri Johnson, Arlette McCann, Tony Morales, Keith Thompson and Gerry Yutuc. Arlette was selected as Chair at their first meeting on Wednesday evening, May 5.

The Committee prayed, then got organized, and everyone was given the opportunity to share their hearts and thoughts. Everyone is still grieving and missing Pastor Ken, but everyone agreed that it would be Pastor Ken's most sincere desire that the Committee be careful to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit as they work. The Committee believes that God has already prepared a man to lead us, and that we simply have to obey as He directs us to that man.

The Committee decided to pray individually for a week, and to perhaps fast one of those days. They ask that the entire Argyle family join them in praying and fasting as they seek out God's will, and listen for His voice.

The Committee will meet again on Wednesday, May 12. Until then, continue with them in prayer.