Jesse Joyner, PhD

Puppets, Parties, and BINGO

I usually “work” on Sundays.  That means I am responsible for leading the Children’s Ministry at Commonwealth Chapel or traveling and presenting my program at another church or event.  This morning, I was at Commonwealth Chapel.  We got to welcome a brand new lead pastor into our family this morning, Brandon Samuel.  He has been very well received and we are excited about where God will take this congregation through his leadership.

One Sunday a month, our small group (we call them missional communities) host a birthday party at a local group home for adults with disabilities.  These are people of all ages who are often abandoned by friends and family and left to live out their days at this group home.  We have the chance to come in monthly and learn from them, play BINGO with them, eat cake with them, and pray with them.  They are a joy to our lives.  This afternoon, Eddie the Explorer (the puppet) called BINGO for them and they LOVED him.  In fact, I like it to because Eddie could converse with them in unique ways that I don’t (somewhat of an alter ego).

Now I get to have some rest at home with the family before we have a few friends over for dinner and games.  I do take a day off each week, its just never a Sunday (usually Mondays, but not this week, it will be some other day).  When’s your day off?

ps – speaking of puppets, come see Eddie the Explorer and Larry the Lizard tomorrow morning at the Robinson Theater at 10am for a puppet show, magic, and juggling – free for all ages 🙂

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