Marty Miller News
August 2013 - Click Here for a PDF version of this newsletter (with original format layout by Marty)
March 2011 - Click Here for a PDF version of this newsletter (with original format layout by Marty)
AUGUST 2013 CONCERT NEWSLETTER
(PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES THAT GO WITH THESE CONCERTS BY GOING TO https://www.facebook.com/groups/MartyMillerMusic/ )
August 11, 2013 at 6pm
Tri-County Bible Church - http://www.tcbcindiana.org/
5856 W. 1050 S., Rensselaer, IN 47978 - 219.866.0432
We did not have any concerts booked for Saturday night or Sunday am, so Marty made arrangements for us to stay will Pastor Bill and Sara Fine in Michigan City, IN. We sang for their church a number of times in the past, and they said we could stay at their home, whenever we came through the area. We took off on Saturday am with beautiful weather and stopped in downtown Michigan City. As we were looking for parking we saw an old shopping warehouse. We stopped in and they had a display of kites. We were looking for a birthday gift for Keira and we saw the kites. That seemed like a good gift for her. The man who operated the store, Joel Majot, was very much into kite flying. He talked with us about all of the different options available. We ended up purchasing 3 kites. One for us ( a 2 string kite), one for Keira and one for other kiddos to use. Joel’s wife, Pat, has some serious health issues and there was an article in the paper about their struggles. Marty gave him a CD, Both Eyes Open, because he felt that Pat might like to listen to “My Turn To Trust” and we plan to send some money to help them with their finances.
We were concerned that the van might get too hot to leave the guitars in so we ran them out to Bill’s and then decided to bike a bit in their area. Janet wasn’t feeling the greatest so was biking quite slowly, but they biked 5 miles in the hilly terrain of their home. We then packed up the bikes and headed to town. We found a shady place to park and began touring the town. We went to Washington Street Park, which was beside a draw bridge. We also went into the old lighthouse. A gentleman there gave us quite a bit of information regarding the artifacts displayed there. We walked up the spiral stairs to the light area. When we got back down the man asked if we could see Chicago. Neither of us thought to look while there. We then biked to the beach and made some attempts with the kite. Marty was getting the hang of it pretty quickly. Janet didn’t do as well, but both had fun. We then biked out to the end of the pier and sat there for a bit, enjoying someone surfing with a kite and other activities along with the weather. It was then getting close to dinner time so we went to check out the Swingbelly. We decided that would be a great place to eat. They had booths on a outdoor deck. We had some time yet, before meeting Bill and Sarah for dinner, so we also went to the Water’s Edge restaurant, and enjoyed their outdoor deck for awhile as well. Great view of the bay there. We arrived about the same time as another couple and as we sat at our table Marty noticed the man was taking a photo of the woman. Marty offered to take their photo. They were very appreciative of that and the man suggested to Marty that he try the scallops. The lady stopped by to chat a bit as they were leaving. We then drove back to Swingbelly’s to wait for Bill and Sara. We had some Cajun Fries for an appetizer and we shared a perch dinner.
After dinner we headed out to Bill and Sara’s. On the way there we got behind a young man on a bicycle, playing guitar. Janet tried to take a photo but wasn’t very successful. At the Fine’s we unloaded our luggage and then sat down to play some Farkle. Sara was especially excited about the game. They loved it so much that we gave them a new Farkle game as a gift. She was very excited!!
We headed to bed around 10:30. The room had twin beds. Janet made the decision that we would share one of them. We got up and went to the 8 am service – the more contemporary at St John’s UCC where Bill is the pastor. They had a new worship leader, Dave. Sara introduced us to many of the attendees and a few we recognized from before. The sermon was about grace and truth (a sermon that we had recently heard at one of the camp meeting evenings.)
Bill had another service but we went back to their house. Marty and Janet took a nap and awoke to Sara’s cooking of brunch. She made quite a spread. It was pancakes, potatoes, tomatoes, assorted fruits, sausage, bagels and juices. She also had a variety of cheeses including horseradish cheddar and apple cinnamon cheddar. It was all very good. After breakfast we played another game and ½ of Farkle on their cozy deck.
The weather warmed up and it was 84 degrees as we headed to the concert. This event will have baptism and communion along with a fellowship meal.
We arrived at the farm where the event was to take place and were met by first a dog, then the owner, Dan. He helped direct us to the pond area where we would need to set up. He also helped us run power from his home. The farm was a corn field when they bought the place 10 years ago, but they had made it into a very nice home and lawn area with a pond.
The church has many young families with lots of children. They had a huge pot luck dinner. Since there were many farm families, there was lots of fresh vegetables including corn both on and off the cob. It was quite a spread.
There was a local radio station, 97.7. The brother of one of the DJs talked with Marty and bought some CDs so they could play them. They have some time on the station where they play independents.
Pastor Andy and Pastor Jim were warm and inviting!! They offered some prayer time, testimonies from some of those being baptized. There were a couple of young guys, and an older lady who made the choice to be baptized. Marty then sang for about 50 minutes. The church also offered communion. It was inspiring to hear the thoughts of those who were being baptized, and to hear their testimonies and the process that brought them to this point in their lives.
The congregation gathered around the pond and Marty took a couple of photos of them as they encouraged the ones being baptized. The pond had a very mucky bottom and it took a bit of time for them to get to the point where they could do the baptism. But all of the folks were supportive of what these folks were doing to follow the Lord’s teaching! This baptism represented the symbol of Christ’s death on the cross, His burial, and then His wonderful resurrection!!
We rushed to pack up as dark was on its way and we wouldn’t have lights in the yard. However, we had many there talk to us about how Marty’s music was a great addition to the service. They also talked about how the words touched them. Marty had an uneasy feeling before the concert, but God let us know this was the right place to be for His plan that day.
We left at dusk to head home. The trip home was late and pretty uneventful, and we were tired, but happy to be used with another great group of folks for the Lord!
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August 18, 2013 at 5pm – Faith Festival Concert
Our Savior Lutheran Church - http://www.oslb.org/
417 S. Kane St, Burlington, WI 53105 - 262 763-3281
We started the day knowing we had some tasks to do to prepare for this trip. We decided to bike ride. As we were getting ready, Marty looked out the front window and saw hundreds of runners (it was the annual Mitchell’s Run). He also saw a bunch of cameras and a person getting out of the wheel chair. We later learned it was Johnny Agar, who has been entered in many races, along with his father, Jeff, across the US. His last race he walked the last mile. We cheered on some of the runners. We then decided to bike downtown. We ended up at the finish line area. We watched and cheered on many of the run completers. We got an up close view of Johnny and learned that the camera was ESPN. We also learned that today he walked one and ½ half miles. He was totally wheelchair bound until just a few years ago.(I have pictures of this race on my regular Facebook page).
After the run, we biked to Sand Lake in back. The ride was 26.5 miles. We were both tired after the ride, but Marty made a lunch. We watched a bit of a movie, and then took a short nap. We then finished loading up for the trip. We hit the road about 3:30 pm MI time. The day was mostly sunny and warm. (This morning it had a nice coolness for runners and our ride.)
It was an easy trip to Burlington, and got through Chicago without any issues. We arrived just a bit after 7 pm and met at Pastor Rob and Pat’s home. They have a beautiful home and nice flower gardens. They are growing tomatoes in a special cart on their deck. As we got to know each other, Rob and Pat warmed up to us. Pat was such a joy to talk with, and shared a lot on her heart and mind.
For appetizer they grilled jalapeno with provolone cheese. They also grilled burgers, made a great salad with lettuce from their garden and boiled corn on the cob bought from a farm market.
After dinner Rob, Marty and Janet went to the church to set up for the morning worship. Chris, the church sound person also was there to help. (Later we met his wife, Sara and their children Courtney and Nathaniel.) Once we were all set up we headed back to the house and had some brownies and ice cream. Although we were all interested in playing Farkle, the night was late and we headed to bed.
The next morning we went for a small walk around the neighborhood. We then at some toast and fruit on the deck and then got ready for church.
Marty played a few songs in the morning service which added to the full service they had in place with the worship band and the pastor. The sermon was on endurance and getting rid of our baggage.. There was also a mini sermon for the children with the same theme. After the service ended, we had to set up for the afternoon concert. We had to set up Marty’s equipment then move it toward the back so they could set up the worship band in front for their concert. The church had a neighborhood festival with all types of kids’ games; a pig and corn roast along with a huge selection of desserts- all free to those that attended. The weather was perfect for an event like this. Pastor Rob said he was challenged to go through the obstacle course and lost because he got caught in one of the tunnels. He got a bit banged up from the event. We took advantage of the lunch but went back to the house with Pat so we could take a nap before the concert and our long drive home. The afternoon concert consisted of the music by the worship band and then Marty’s concert. They drew for some door prizes during the switchover. He had some trouble with his guitar tuning at the beginning. People really seemed to be listening to the messages and Pastor Rob did a nice job recapping on Mold and Make Me. After the concert we quickly packed up. Marty talked quite a bit with folks. He said one older man came up to him afterwards and expressed how much it meant to him and he appreciated it. As he talked to Marty, Marty realized that he had a tender heart.
We had a bit of trouble getting our bearings for the trip home, but once we got it figured out all was good. We made a stop at McDonald’s, (which is very unusual for us). We had to wait quite a bit of time for our food. The traffic was still somewhat heavy as we headed into the Chicago Area. The full moon lead us home…
Our next scheduled concert will be at Warsaw Wesleyan Church, in Warsaw Indiana on Sept 8th at 9 and 10:45am. Come on out, if you are in that area
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