07.01.10 Greetings! I hope you are doing well! After being away this past weekend (for a wedding in Williamsburg), I am back in town. Yes, I know, "My Funeral" is a strange subject for this email, but keep reading. ICF THIS COMING SUNDAY (July 4) Unlike most of you, I am more than half-way through my life's journey. One day I will die. Hopefully, it won't be soon! But I have already left some instructions for my funeral. I want a particular song to be sung. In the face of physical death, this song will speak of life and victory. It is a song that speaks the gospel (good news). It is a song that should encourage believers through good times and bad times. What is this song? Come Sunday and we will sing it! Since another class meets in our room immediately after ICF, we need to finish on time, so we need to start on time. Here is our schedule: 9:30 - 9:45 am - Before-class Social Time, including snacks and hot drinks (come early and enjoy conversation and snacks). 9:45 - 10:45 am - Class Time (please arrive before 9:45 am, so you don't miss anything). 10:45 - 11:00 am - After-class Discussion/Social Time PSALMS, HYMNS & SPIRITUAL SONGS In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote, "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music with your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19). Most of us like music, and many of us like to sing (even if we don't sing well). Almost everyone who attends church enjoys the music and singing parts of the service. However, sometimes we miss the meaning of the words we are singing. Good Christian songs have biblical messages, and we can be taught and encouraged through good songs. This summer (when I am teaching), we are singing various songs, and considering the biblical messages that these songs convey. ICF HIKE AT CASCADES (Sunday, July 11) The Cascades is a beautiful 21 meter waterfall near Pembroke. The hike to the waterfall is 6.4 km round trip, though you don't have to hike all the way to the waterfall to see beautiful scenery. Please bring a bag lunch for our picnic in the Cascades picnic area. We will leave the BCF parking lot after church (around 12:45 pm) to go the Cascades. There is probably not enough time to get your lunch between the worship service and departure time, so those coming to church should bring their bag lunch to church. If you prefer, you can meet us at Cascades. It takes about 25 minutes from Blacksburg. We should return to Blacksburg no later than 5 pm. ICF THIS PAST SUNDAY Thanks, Jay (Sullivan), for teaching this past Sunday. Since I did not teach, there is no lesson summary this week. Blessings, Jay

You may E-mail Jay & Michele Lester or Call at 540.381.2086