There almost wasn't a bulletin today, at least not an article. I was pretty tired last night so I decided to go to bed and write this today before services. Then I woke up without a really compelling idea in mind, but I think I can manage something.

Dunno if you all noticed the fancy new retaining wall, but the old one made of wood had rotted away and was failing over. Brian Kerouac, who I simply can't say enough good things about, headed up a crew of misfits and goofballs and in spite of the help did a spectacular job putting that thing together. I know there was talk about delaying the project off to another day, since it was labor day weekend and it was expected that everyone would have plans and no one could help, but let me tell ya. First off, we started around 9:00 AM (I say around, because I was late and I wanted to include myself with the "we"). We finished up at somewhere around 6:00 PM. All three elders were there, Skip and Mo were there the entire time and even Wally showed up with doughnuts and I saw him shoveling gravel with the best of us. All five of your deacons were there, and all but one stayed there all day, too. More than a handful of others were there as well. Paul, (who turns 65 today) was a great help and probably worked himself too hard. Tom ran a chainsaw for me so we could chop the old wall bits down to size for lugging away to a dumpster. Even Kieran showed up on time and worked all day! He worked hard, too. We'll have to watch him during his sermon to see if he limps around or not, since he's not used to that kind of effort. My son Dave gave us some help now and then, he spent the whole day and didn't complain once, and Janet was there with eyewash for the asphalt bits that Dave kept getting into his eyes when he used the pick. The little Melanson boys also tent a hand here or there, and of course Holly showed up with chow for lunch so I can't forget her!!!

All in all, it was a long sweaty day but the weather wasn't too bad and no one got seriously hurt (sorry about that thumb, Frank!). The wall is not 100% done, but it's well on its way. Be sure to keep your little kiddos away from it so they don't fall in, and also away from the scaffolding and siding materials around the front of the building. We don't want anyone to get hurt, obviously!

Wally kept saying what a fine wall it was, and what a shame it was down so low that no one would ever see it. Let me say two things about that. One, I encourage you to take a close look at it. Don't go outside to see it, though, take a gander at it from inside the last classroom downstairs and out the windows. Right now there is all sorts of loose gravel and such and it would be easy to slip and hurt yourself, so don't do it!!!

Two, let me say we didn't build the wall to be looked at. We needed that wall to be solid, to protect the building and to solve a sinking parking lot problem. We built it "pretty" because that is how it turned out, and actually it's not so much pretty as it is orderly and symmetric, which is often pleasing to the eye. We needed to be good stewards of things that belong to God, and while God does not "own" or even need this building, it is his funds that maintain it, which we are stewards over.

Thus your encouragement for today. Often we do good in our lives that no one ever sees. When we do it according to God's word, as we should, it is not accidental but orderly and solid, with a great foundation. It solves a problem, good works always do! We don't do it to be seen of men, we do it because it's the right thing to do, yet if they do notice often thev find it very pleasing. God will see it, just as God will see not only the wall that got built yesterday but the labor and sacrifice of the workers, and yes even the support of the whole congregation.

Randy