Good afternoon!
I’m excited... Today is the first of what I hope will be an annual Cedarville Fun Fest event, and we are really looking forward to the petting zoo; the entertainment; the games; the food; and especially the opportunity to greet new people! And by the way, don’t forget to have your picture taken!!!
The idea for the Fun Fest grew out of what my mother would have called a "brainstorm." And whenever my father heard the word he’d say, "Oh, Oh." It meant Mom had another project in mind... usually costing Dad time and $$$.
But the basic idea for our Cedarville Fun Fest is to have the opportunity to bring the community together. When I was a boy we used to "neighbor" so much. Everybody knew everybody, and it wasn’t uncommon for Mom to send me to a neighbor’s to borrow a cup of sugar or some laundry soap. But that doesn’t happen anymore it seems. Grocery stores are more convenient; our refrigerators and counter tops are much bigger; and there are more kitchen cabinets, so there’s less chance we’re going to run out of something!
Cedarville is a great community... and we’re pleased to be part of it!
But with all our efficiency, and the fact that we all seem to be on the go SO MUCH... means we know fewer and fewer neighbors, let alone those living across town... and there are only 750 of us!. Unless you’ve lived here more than 10 years, do you know those living just a few houses away? And chances are they’ve only been here a few months or a couple years.
But one reason our church exists is to bring people together... and minister to real as well as felt needs. We want our neighbors to know they are always welcome at Emmanuel, because we believe that with all the emotional, physical, financial and any other needs that exist... there is a need for the spiritual dimension as well. In fact, as I write this I am thinking of Jesus’ words when He told the people, "I am come so that you might have real and eternal life; more and better life than you’ve ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 Msg.)
So we want to thank those of you who might have joined us today. I hope you really enjoy yourself, and that you will introduce yourself not only to me, but to anyone else from town you’ve never had the opportunity to become acquainted with before. Say hello, share a thought, and have a good time.
But before I close, I want to thank all those on the organizing committee as well as those who are helping man the booths; feed the flock; take pictures; organize the games... You are all appreciated. But a special thanks goes out to the Cedarville Fire Department for pulling a truck out for "inspection," and to the REACT helicopter crew for coming in to let people see just one more of the emergency services available to our community. Thanks too for the cooperation of the Village and several businesses for your support as well.
Now if it just doesn’t rain !!!
Hope to meet you,
Rev. Jack Ward
