olbear
Loves all things POOH!
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 1,183
Well, I honestly don't have alot to share because I did an excellent job of ignoring them! My DH and I came in the back door. But as we were coming across the back parking lot, I could see them and their bright colored hateful signs. The one that made me the most sick was one that said, "your pastor is a *****". That was too much.
I walked into our church, and through our "mall" area to look out the front entrance, I wanted to see how many were there. At that time there were inly about 8, which included 2 small children and one teenager. Although I did not hear them at all, thank God, I could see that the teenager was "mouthy".
Someone in my sunday school class was interviewed on his way into church by our local paper. He was asked what he thought about the whole thing. His response was, "I think it's great! If they feel the need to picket us with their hate, we must really be making satan mad and thus doing something right". I loved it.
I had such great respect for our brand new Senior Pastor, Tim. He got really passionate, and said, " God does so love everyone, no matter what Fred Phelps may think! It doesn't matter what your age, stage in life, whether you have great resources and money or if you live in poverty or below it, it doesn't matter what your GENDER is. The ground at the foot of the cross is LEVEL for EVERYONE!!!" The whole congregation applauded!! It was a fanatastic moment in the life of our church that I will never forget.
The saddest thing someone in my SS Class witnessed, was that many adults of this group were sitting in their running cars with AC, and made their children go out in the sun to hold the signs. Eventually they all were out there on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. The group did grow a bit, but I was told, not alot.
The coolest thing, someone drove a couple of our church busses up in front of our church, to block their view of us inside. The front entrance is large and all glass. They didn't want them to able to stare and glare. I thought that was neat.
It was an even more emotional day for me, because of something I have not had the chance to share. My sweet sweet sissy, Dede, passed away very suddenly yesterday morning at 8:11AM. I am so numb and saddened. This loss has hit me worse than any other I've been through. I screamed, I just could not believe it. I still can't. So I continue to covet your prayers for me and my family.
But I also want to express my sincerest thanks for all of you support and prayers for my church family. May you all be blessed beyond measure!!
Always,
Your friend,
Winnie
I walked into our church, and through our "mall" area to look out the front entrance, I wanted to see how many were there. At that time there were inly about 8, which included 2 small children and one teenager. Although I did not hear them at all, thank God, I could see that the teenager was "mouthy".
Someone in my sunday school class was interviewed on his way into church by our local paper. He was asked what he thought about the whole thing. His response was, "I think it's great! If they feel the need to picket us with their hate, we must really be making satan mad and thus doing something right". I loved it.
I had such great respect for our brand new Senior Pastor, Tim. He got really passionate, and said, " God does so love everyone, no matter what Fred Phelps may think! It doesn't matter what your age, stage in life, whether you have great resources and money or if you live in poverty or below it, it doesn't matter what your GENDER is. The ground at the foot of the cross is LEVEL for EVERYONE!!!" The whole congregation applauded!! It was a fanatastic moment in the life of our church that I will never forget.
The saddest thing someone in my SS Class witnessed, was that many adults of this group were sitting in their running cars with AC, and made their children go out in the sun to hold the signs. Eventually they all were out there on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. The group did grow a bit, but I was told, not alot.
The coolest thing, someone drove a couple of our church busses up in front of our church, to block their view of us inside. The front entrance is large and all glass. They didn't want them to able to stare and glare. I thought that was neat.
It was an even more emotional day for me, because of something I have not had the chance to share. My sweet sweet sissy, Dede, passed away very suddenly yesterday morning at 8:11AM. I am so numb and saddened. This loss has hit me worse than any other I've been through. I screamed, I just could not believe it. I still can't. So I continue to covet your prayers for me and my family.
But I also want to express my sincerest thanks for all of you support and prayers for my church family. May you all be blessed beyond measure!!
Always,
Your friend,
Winnie
