A TOAST To The TEAM

Yesterday morning was a great start to our ministry work week here at Gaylord E-Free as Laura and I hosted our entire church staff over to our house for breakfast. Along with Laura and myself, we had, Jim, Joshua, Matt, Joe, Julie, Debbie, Donna, Mary Ellen, Newell, Robin and Bill. We were only missing Jack who was out of town (poor Jack!).

My wife put out a great spread including a breakfast casserole, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, blueberry muffins, lemon poppy-seed muffins, banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, coffee, tea, orange juice and apple juice.

As we sat around the table at the beginning of the meal, I gave to each staff member a piece of paper that had written inside of it the name of another staff member around the table. At some point during the breakfast each staff member had to interrupt the eating and talking and give a toast in appreciation and honor of that particular person. It was great to listen to these spontaneous toasts as they took place.

Following the breakfast and "toasts," we had a great sharing time as staff members shared what excited them most about what God is doing in and through the Gaylord E-Free Church. We then had a wonderful time of prayer as we lifted up our church to the Lord and prayed for Him to continue the work He is doing in this local body of believers.

I then gave each staff member a hand-written thank you note as they left, letting them know how much I appreciate each of them and the vital role they each play here at Gaylord E-Free.

So, if you are drinking your favorite beverage as you read this posting, would you join me in raising your cup of coffee, water, tea, pop ("soda" for those of you reading back in PA) or whatever in honor of the great team of staff that we have here at the Gaylord E-Free Church! I sure appreciate each one of them!