I am glad that EIU still offers an annual celebration of the family. And I think that it is great that the University provides plenty of activities to give your family a taste of EIU: a football game, open houses in the residence halls, campus walks, and the “Chicago” concert (Sue and I really wanted to go to the concert, but couldn’t work it out.) And the weather this weekend could not have been more beautiful.

But what I really like most about Family Weekend is Sunday. I think it is great that, for all of you who are involved with the Campus House—you get an opportunity for your parents, grandparents, and siblings to experience a worship service at CCH. Lots of parents verbalize to our staff members how much they appreciate our ministry and what we have to offer their student whom they have entrusted into our care.

I know that some of you come from families that are not Christian, and our worship service on Family Weekend provides an opportunity for you to open a dialogue with your family about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I hope and pray that you will embrace any open door God opens to talk with your family about Jesus.

For some of you, maybe the Sunday of Family Weekend is the only time you have been to the Campus House this year. That is O.K. No one will judge you for that. Maybe by being there this morning for the first time, God may begin to impress on you the importance of hammering out your spiritual life. If you have questions, or just want to talk to someone about “God- stuff” please give one of our staff a call at 345-6990 and set up an appointment to open up a “spiritual conversation.” After all, that is what we are here for.

I also know that there is one more category of EIU student who may need some encouragement. That would be those of you whose family never comes to Family Weekend. It may cause you some pain to be “alone” on Family Weekend. If you are feeling some pain over that, maybe it would be good for you to ask one of your friends at the Campus House to meet with you to talk about it… and pray about it.

This morning was pretty special. I was so glad that your family got to witness a “planned” baptism… and I am thrilled that they also got to witness a spontaneous decision for baptism as well.

In the end, maybe the reason why my favorite part of EIU’s Family Weekend is Sunday is that—by the time our worship service and family potluck are over—you and your family have a lot to talk about. It is my prayer for you that your follow-up conversations with your family will be a blessing to you and to them. In that vein, please remember our scripture text for the sermon this morning…

20 work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ  Jes us throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.  (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

Last Wednesday evening, I taught the bible study and we went over Luke 10:25-37 “The Good Samaritan,” and was able to turn my teaching into service. I was headed to get some coffee and Starbucks, when I passed what looked like an estate sale. I love those; you can find such great items for a great price! I immediately turned around because I saw two mountain bikes sitting out in the yard by a fire hydrant. I noticed the two women cleaning were quite old and frail. I began talking to one of them about purchasing the bike and within that conversation; she asked if I would help move some heavy boxes around her house. I was hesitant at first because I *needed* a cup of coffee and I was hungry and I was trying to buy a bike on my lunch break.

Soon enough, the other lady was trying to scoot a pretty heavy box to the other side of the garage inch by inch. The one I was talking to asked if I worked and I told her yes, then she asked, “Could you help her move boxes real quick?” I finally gave in; both of them were cute old foreign ladies with an accent. I could not resist anymore. So, I helped them move some boxes and got a mountain bike on my lunch break! Talk about helping out others who slightly intimidate you! It was good!