New Blumenstein!

Dustin and Beth Blumenstein welcomed Ainsley Corrie Blumenstein into the world at 12:35 last night! She was 6 pounds, 5 ounces, 18.5 inches, and mom and baby are both doing great. They expect to take her home tomorrow (Tuesday) sometime. Congratulations!

Mommy Wars

From an article entitled "White Flag in the Mommy Wars" by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway:

I was soon a witness to the Mommy Wars. Originally, the big battle was whether women should work outside the home. Now the wars engage a wide range of parenting questions.

...These fights are vicious. And they're odd. We live in a society that wouldn't dare pass judgment on even deviant sexual practices, but we can't let women make their own decisions on how to diaper their children.

Much of the hype comes from the all-consuming nature of motherhood, causing sleep-deprived and overworked moms to focus on childrearing to the point that crazy fights seem completely normal. And much of the angst reflects our fear that if other parents do things differently, they will pass judgment on the decisions we've made.

Awana Leaders Meeting

Tonight we had a brief meeting with all of this year's Awana Leaders and helpers. It looks like we have a great group of seasoned veterans and talented rookies, and it promises to be a great year! We took time to review how our kids club runs each week, and then we prayed for God to bless this terrific ministry. As you read this, would you pray for us, too?

End of the Season

Yesterday our two softball teams played one final game to end our 2009 season. Team #1 came out on top, but everyone had a blast whether they were playing or cheering the teams on! Special thanks to Dev Jubinville for umping for us yesterday, and thanks to all who played this summer! Let's do it again next year!

Piano Concert Friday Night

Gerry Clark's friend Dennis Weiler will be presenting a free piano concert tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. at New Hope Christian Fellowship. The concert will feature hymns and other traditional pieces, and Dennis also includes photographic slides to add a visual aspect to his music. It promises to be a great night!

Gerry provided us with the following bio for Dennis Weiler:

Dennis just turned 68, and has three daughters and six grandchildren. He has 8 1/2 years of bible college with degrees in theology and music, and has worked in several churches and given concerts coast to coast. Dennis taught piano for 35 years, both privately and in public and Christian schools. He has almost 20 CDs and DVDs available on piano, organ, and keyboard orchestra. "I love the Lord and wish to share my music!"

One more game!

Our softball season is officially over, but we can't let go!

This year, New Hope fielded two teams in the city's co-ed league and we had a fun summer. We had more losses than wins, but spirits were always high, and I think God was glorified with the way both teams participated.

However, in the league schedule, our two teams never got to play against each other, so we've decided to have one more game. This Sunday after church, we are inviting everyone to bring a picnic lunch to Dancer Park, Field #9, where we will enjoy eating together and then watching Team 1 play Team 2 in a final scrimmage.

It looks like the weather will be beautiful, and I assume the game will start at about 1:00 p.m. Hope you can join us!

New Sermons Online

I was out on vacation for a couple weeks, so we were behind on our web site's sermon downloads, but Gerry Clark's terrific sermons on Stewardship (August 23 & 30) are now available online. As always, you can find them on our web site, www.newhopeconnection.com, under the Sermons, Etc. menu button.

I'm still waiting for Dewey's sermon from this last Sunday, but I expect to get that up there soon. Stay tuned!

This just in...

From Tuesday's Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on news of the planned revisions to the NIV:

This is a weird story: The top-selling Bible in North America is being revised for the first time in 25 years to reflect changes in English usage. The language is changing so they're revising the Bible. For instance, the Book of Genesis now includes the line, "On the Seventh Day the Lord chillaxed."