"Cast me not off in the time of old age, forsake me not when my strength faileth" Psalm 71:9 |
JANUARY NewsLetter Hello Ministry Partners, Well, we begin a New Year with aspirations of continued growth and successfulness in the propagation of the gospel within the corridors of nursing home communities. We had a wonderful and blessed holiday season and it’s time to get back into the normal monthly pace. I hope to encourage you to run the race (spiritually speaking) with patience. Jan 7th, - West Jax - It was good to see everyone after the holidays. We had a good turnout (residents wise) and went right back to singing the good old gospel songs that many folks know and love. I am giving devotions on stewardship this month. I am encouraging us (myself included) to be more like the boy who gave over his 5 loaves and 2 fishes so that Jesus can perform a miracle in our lives! Jan. 8th - Life Care Center - As Brother Everett Watkins would say “my my!” We had a blessed time and though our numbers were diminished (both in participants and residents) God had who needed to be there. We were blessed with my daughter “Rachel” who sang off of a CD for the residents. Me, Pat and Teresa sang several specials and then I played a CD song entitled “My Anchor Holds” which is very inspirational to me. I am glad that I have an Anchor In Jesus, even though my ship may be battered. We had a chance to meet a man, who likes to be called “Copeland,” who is a WWII Army Veteran. He shared with us his travels through Rome, Venice, Sicily and many other places! We talked for a while and as I was leaving I couldn’t help but notice Copeland sitting in the sun with his head bowed down. God impressed upon me how he must feel to have once been a fighting veteran and now how he was very subtle and very lonely. THIS IS WHY THIS MINISTRY SPEAKS VOLUMES!!!!! I can only imagine how he felt as I drove away (one day we may not be able to just hop in our vehicles and drive off) Today some of the residents were asking about the sound system we ordered. I was told that they plan on using it in their resident council meetings and Dorothy “the President” told how blessed it would be, because she has great troubles projecting her voice. I hope to pick the system up this week and deliver it to LCC. Overall, the Gospel Sing and time of fellowship was great! If you were not able to make it, we hope to see you in our “April” Gospel Sing. Jan. 14th - Cedar Hills - We had nice services. We are still preaching on Stewardship. Bro. Charles was there and sang two music specials for us. Harriet was back from the hospital. We didn’t do anything special. We sang and fellowshipped as we watched and listened to the rain drizzle outside. Jan. 21st - Life Care Center - God blessed today. It is funny how I had just mentioned, in the Gospel Sing excerpt, that Brother Everett’s favorite saying was “my, my.” I can only imagine what he may be saying today, in the portals of heaven! Yes, Reverend Everett Watkins had his homecoming last week! We are going to truly miss this remarkable man of God, but he is far happier. I was singing today and one of the residents was helping me along as she seemed to know most of the words to the songs. It turns out that she used to have her own local singing group many years ago. During the song service I couldn’t help but notice tears rolling down another residents cheeks. God truly does bless through these great spiritual songs! We delivered the sound system we purchased for Christmas this morning and I got to talk to the Executive Director of the facility. Both the staff and residents are very appreciative and I feel it is going to be put to good use. Jan 28th, - Cedar Hills - We had a good turn out today. The staff had a lot of residents waiting and it was good to see Mary, whom we had not seen in awhile! We had a staff member who came and asked that we pray for her sister who was scheduled to go in for a cancer operation. Sometimes we never know who is listening and whom we are ministering to during our services! Today I preached about “prayer” and encouraged the residents to take advantage of their immobile state, which makes it even more practical to be prayer warriors then many of us younger and more mobile persons. Prayer is such an important weapon! I wanted to challenge the residents to take every advantage of their present circumstances (as we all should). We had a scheduled communion but had to cancel out because we are just not prepared to meet that need yet! I hope to get back to this ordinance soon. Since I was alone today we sang a few different “old favorite” hymns; “It is Well With My Soul” and “Just As I Am.” I got a great response from these two songs. Closing our services in prayer, many asked if we would be back. Many folks (and even Christian groups) make these shallow promises and never return! I assured them that I would be back (Lord willing). God is great and I feel blessed to be able to serve Him, I hope you feel likewise. One last note. I was contacted by one of the Activity Directors of the past (she moved on to another facility) asking if we could come to this facility to perform some services there. This was a great feeling that she remembered our ministry and what we do! Unfortunately, we just are not able to due to time restrictions. Pray that God will make a way for us to expand In Christ, David, Pat & Rachel Sounds of Joy Ministries Ministry Family 446 Halsema Rd. N. Jacksonville, Fla. 32220 |
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