I wrote last week about our parade in Thomaston, Maine. It is a large parade, drawing folks from many states and a few other countries. There is a 5k road race, which Sara's family has been in charge of for 12 years. We set up the route, water, registration, and keep times. There is a lot to do in our family on July 3-5. This year was no different. In fact, we also were in the parade with some friends from our church and one other area church.
The focus of our float was evangelistic. We printed John 4:10 and another verse(which slips my mind right now) each on a sheet of 4'x8' plywood, large enough for everyone to read from a good distance. We pulled a 16' trailer loaded with half liter bottles of water encased with ice. This was a major undertaking for our little group, but it went well. We will need more volunteers (hint, hint) on August 2, when we do this again for the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine.
We gave out, with water bottles, a magnet to stick on the refrigerator at home. This magnet had John 4:13-14 on it, and a prayer line number. The chapel we attend recently got a cell phone for this prayer line. One of us from the chapel carries the phone for a week at a time, and hands it off to someone else the next week. This means nobody has to man a phone at the chapel(we have no secretary or anything like that) and if someone calls for prayer or to learn more about salvation, they can call anytime day or night and know that someone will be there to talk to.
We also passed out 4000 tracts by hand. Most of those were patriotic themed, targeting this day of celebrating independence, and the freedom and liberty found through Christ Jesus if we follow His ways and live our lives for Him. There were 800 CDs with a gospel message by J B Nicholson passed out in bags along with a gospel tract and invitation to our 5 day Bible club.
We were the first float in the parade with walkers, following cars and trucks, so we fell behind quite a bit, but really enjoyed what we were doing. We also sent some folks just walking the parade route, talking to anyone that was receptive about the gospel. Those folks had some good conversations and some from the float walked back on the parade route and talked to even more along the way.
While waiting in traffic, those of us stuck on the float decided to sing. We sang lots of hymns, and songs most folks know like "Jesus loves me". This was a great time, and folks got to see that even when forced to be patient and stuck in traffic, we had joy overflowing while thinking about our Savior. This was actually one of my favorite parts of the parade, and I am thinking about having some people in the back of the truck at the next parade just to sing to the crowd. The love we have for people should flow out of us like the living water that Jesus spoke about. We should be willing to reach out to everyone in love, showing them the wonderful salvation through Jesus that is offered to all who will believe and live for Him.
I have this picture in my head of what heaven will be like, and it involves a lot of singing. Songs of praise and adoration for our God and King. Songs of joy and gratitude to Jesus our Savior. I think that music is such a wonderful way to show those we meet. I guess I may have just talked myself into this, but next parade we SING!!
I really should go now, lots to do. I just wanted to keep up with what has gone on. I have not yet gotten to Bible Club, so that will have to wait until next time.
***I would like to recognize those that helped out so much with money, time, equipment, ideas, and mostly a heart for lost souls- Todd Caverly and family, Andrew Stanley and family, Nathan Hebert and family, Gary Sabins and family, Isaac Hebert, Joanna Hall, Molena Hall, Gertie Holden, Nancy Sabins, Marianne Holden, my family, and many others that stuffed bags, labeled tracts, and contributed in prayer, support, and so many other ways. I don't want to miss anyone, but they know who they are, and they are greatly appreciated***
Mark
