May 19, 2008 WOW!
May 19, 2008
WOW! That’s my pastor’s greatest expression of wonder and awe. I’ve been sitting here on this Monday morning, as with most Mondays, allowing my (no longer young) body to recoup from another great weekend of singing and thinking about what to report to you guys. As I began to reflect on recent activities of the group and myself in particular, I was just overcome with grateful appreciation, wonder and awe at His goodness and the blessings He keeps pouring out. WOW!
Thanks to all of you who have hosted the Patriots since our last news post. We’ve managed to travel and meet our obligations even though the fuel prices are about $1.00 per mile in that old bus. I know the price of fuel is affecting every part of your lives, but please remember to pray for all gospel-singing troubadours as we try to fulfill God’s calling on our lives. Many groups have already found it necessary to quit or severely curtail travel. We are doing a lot of praying and searching for ways to continue the ministry. Please help us pray.
We began April with a fun time at Claylick Methodist on the 6th. This is David and Marie’s home church and Joe’s former pastorate where the Patriot Quartet was born. Later that day we traveled over to Scott County and renewed acquaintances with Bro. John Cravens and the folks at the White Sulfur Baptist church. They are just a great bunch. We enjoyed our visit and look forward to coming back some time.
We were honored to be invited to be a part of the Joe Chioda’s Streets of Gold Live held at the Word of Life Ministries church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania the last weekend in April. It was a real pleasure to sing to and visit with all the fine folks attending, and renew friendships with the other groups taking part in the program. Our special thanks go to the members of the Faith Harmony Boys from Charleston, West Virginia who did a great job running sound, keeping the performers on track and the stage set for each upcoming group. Another big “thank you” to Mr. Garry Sheppard for doing his usual great job as MC and performer. Thanks again, Joe, for inviting us.
We continued travel with a visit to the First Nazarene Church of Murfreesboro, Tennessee for a fine service and general good time with Brother Sam Hughes and the folks there. Finally, we finished out the month of March with a concert at the Danville First Baptist, Danville, Ky. This is Ensco’s (Sonny) home church where he serves as Deacon. We tried to show them what he was doing when absent from the congregation. I think they approved. Thanks, guys, for letting us having him. He’s doing a great job as a vital member of the Patriot Quartet.
May began well with a guest appearance at our good friend Crystal Collins’ Homecoming sing in Salyersville, Ky. Thanks again, Crystal, for inviting us and for the great time we had with you and your folks. It’s always good to see you and hear you sing. We also enjoyed the other artists you had there, and especially good to see our friend, Cheryl Jackson, who as you know wrote the song “He Stood There” that we recorded on the Standing for God and Country project.
May 10th we were honored to be part of a Gospel Singing Showcase in the “Big Barn” at Renfro Valley, Mt Vernon, Ky. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and all who participated. Our special thanks to Sharon Stevens and the rest of the Renfro Valley staff who did such a great job of making sure everyone sounded the best they could. I believe everyone was pleased with the results and hope this showcase will continue there.
This last weekend we just absolutely had ourselves “more fun than a human should be allowed.” (Where have I heard that phrase before?) We had three great concerts, close to home (lower fuel costs), and everyone was in good voice! We began Saturday with an afternoon of worship and revival at Friendship Valley Baptist Church, near Big Hill, Ky where we sang, ate barbeque, sang again and then heard a good revival sermon. Man do those folks know how to treat a group of old gospel singers! Thanks to our brother Emerson McAfee for the invitation and to all the folks we met and made friends with while there. From Big Hill we traveled up to Lewis County where we worshiped with the congregation of the Tollsboro Methodist Church on Sunday. We have become good friends with this group of folks over the past several years and always have a great time with them. As usual they nearly “sang us to death.” (That’s Kentucky talk for they really liked it and showed their enthusiasm.) We sang for the morning service, ate a wonderful meal and then sang again. Personally, just between us, I don’t see how some of our guys (Joe, Sonny, etc.) can sing at all after eating so much! Of course I would never be guilty of that€¦€¦.(Ha) Anyway, we finished our weekend tour by hurrying home to Lawrenceburg for a concert at the Anderson Christian Church. Many of the folks who came out to hear us are close personal friends and supporters of the Patriot Quartet and several have been my life long friends.
As of this date it looks like we will be off for the next couple of weeks. After that we have a fairly full schedule for June. Please pray for us in the upcoming months. There is a lot of uncertainty ahead, but we are determined to keep doing what the Lord has given us to do.
May God bless each of you and may God Bless America.