Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." ~Matthew 9:37-38
It's that time of the year again! Our church's annual pumpkin patch is up and running just in time for Halloween and all things autumn. As this is the largest fund raiser we hold all year, we are hoping that a lot of folks will purchase pumpkins, gourds and goodies during the coming weeks. The weather has turned sunny, dry and much cooler, and is predicted to stay that way for most of October. I do hope that puts people in the mood to stop by our church and start decorating their homes and businesses.
These are just a few photos of this year's pumpkin patch, featuring even more pumpkins than we had last year.
We were most fortunate to have an entire baseball team, to which one of our high school church members belongs, volunteer to remove all the pumpkins our of their huge boxes and display them for us last Saturday. Many in our congregation are older folks who are no longer able to do such physical labor. God bless those young men with strong arms and backs, and a willingness to serve!
Danny and I count ourselves as part of the baby-boomer crowd. Because of the health strains on us this year, we can only offer to help in the selling booth when we are both available. Danny still doesn't feel confident in driving on his own, and I don't blame him. Last year, I could come and go freely, but that's no longer the case.
Our congregation at Shiloh Community Church isn't large in size, but they're large in love. My prayer is that those who visit to buy pumpkins will feel God's Holy Spirit through us, and decide to visit with us for church services and/or Bible studies that we offer throughout the year. As Jesus tells us in Matthew's gospel, the harvest of hearts and minds is plentiful, but the workers are few. May our presence in our community at this time of year turn both heads and hearts toward our true home in the Lord. As our service bulletin declares each Sunday:
Amen!
It's wonderful that you engage with the community through this seasonal activity. Good for your church! I could really relate to your comment that last year you could come and go as you wished. I'll tell you a secret, I am caregiving for my older husband. He's basically fine but needs the companionship and attention as he ages. It can be difficult for me to get out on my own. But through God's grace, I'm totally okay with that. The weather where you are sounds beautiful actually. Aloha dear.
ReplyDeleteCaregiving is one of the most difficult jobs out there, Cloudia, but when we love someone as you love your husband, it's simply what we do to show our support and our commitment to the love we share. Thanks for being so transparent here. Know I will say extra prayers for the both of you.
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Cool pumpkin patch, smiles. Keeping you both in prayer, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, and thanks always for your prayers.
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May people find a home there Martha. After all, didn't Dorothy say, "There's no place like home"? :)
ReplyDeleteShe absolutely did, Bill. That's one of my favorite films of all time, by the way. We are praying for all who have yet to find their true home.
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What a wonderful tradition and so many pumpkins. Thank you for all the work you and Danny do at your church. It is people like you who set the example for others to come and join in. God bless you and your community.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victor! Yes, we do hope that folks will stop because of the pumpkins for sale, but then decide to visit a service and get to know this loving group of people who worship in this place. So many sheep are lost in this crazy world.
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Oh, I wish I could come visit your church's pumpkin patch! We will be in N. GA. next week, but staying a bit too far north east of where you are. I am hoping for that cool fall weather to hang around next week so we can enjoy the fall season there! I am really looking forward to it! I hope you sell LOTS of pumpkins! Thank you for doing your part! Many hands make light work, so they say, and it's true! Blessings!!!
ReplyDeleteI can tell how excited you are to be visiting the Georgia mountains and enjoying the cooler weather, Pamela! It should be beautiful up there when you're visiting. We hope to sell lots of pumpkins, too, and we usually do. Safe travels for your trek next week.
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Each year, I buy pumpkins for the front porch. And each year, I do battle witht he squirrels, who think the pumpkins are put there for an occasional snack, and sometimes a full meal. It's like Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the football, and I am Charlie Brown. Or that definition of insanity, in which you keep doing the same thing in hopes of a different outcome.
ReplyDeleteThat's just too funny, Glynn! We both know how tricky and devious our squirrel friends can be, don't we? Just ask Racer. :)
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Great photos, Martha! The Methodist church located on our Lake Morton, has a pumpkin patch each year. I haven't been over that way in a while. I'll have to take a drive and see if theirs is up and running. Thanks for sharing yours with us!! I hope they all get sold!! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terri! Yes, we're hoping for lots of sales, too. Let us know if you do venture over to Lake Morton and take some pictures, too.
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That’s a lot of pumpkins, Martha! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are, Diana. Maybe, too many, but time will tell.
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What a sweet post!!I. I know you are recognized in the community for your good works & spreading of The Gospel. The Hands & Feet of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lulu
Thanks for your kind words here today, Lulu. Yes, that is the mission, isn't it, to be the hands and feet of our Lord in action? I do hope we all can be exactly that.
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Hoping that all the pumpkins are sold and enjoyed by the community. That's a great idea for the annual fundraiser. Let this be the year for best one ever for the church.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
Thanks so much, Bill, for your wish for our church. We, too, are hoping and praying it will be a record breaker!
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What a beautiful event! I hope it goes well!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Barbara. That is my hope and my prayer.
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What a feast for the eyes! I just love this initiative, particularly the young men who made time from their busy lives to help. When much of the news is full of trouble and mischief, y'all are setting a beautiful example.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words here, Myra. We, too, are so appreciative of and thankful for the youth who gave up part of their weekend to help us out there in the patch. These pumpkins are a feast for the eyes, I agree.
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One of the things we love about the fall is how the heartwarming things about this time of yrear seem to offset the cooler weather, and your beautiful post certainly reinforces that. We love pumpkins. We love gatherings. We love communities pitching in together to do things that make others happy. In short, we love your post and how the grace and love of Jesus Christ finds expression in it all. God bless you and Danny (and we're glad he's not out there lifting pumpkins) for all you do to help make it happen. There are smiles and blessings in every photo, so thanks once again, dear friend, for sharing your life and ministry with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to know that my post today blessed you, Ron. With so much going wrong in the world, being able to put up a positive face in the midst of it all goes a long way in reaching the lost and lonely who might just decide to check out this God thing for themselves. As I said in the blog, we may be a small group of Christians, but we have a huge love for our community.
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Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home is a good message for going to the Home of God.
Indeed, heavy lifting for pumpkins that size!
Never have felt inclined to decorate for Halloween or for any occasion. WHY?!
As a fundraiser, sure it is a nice try to collect some money.
Hugs,
Mariette