Trust in Marathon Florida

Equipment to be loaded at Community UMC; Marathon, FL

Trust Quartet got back Sunday night from a trip to Marathon, FL. This is one of the longer trips we annually take and its always good to be with the folks at Community United Methodist Church there. Pastor Peggy has been a long time friend of Trust; in fact, it could be said she's a life-time friend of Trust. She has been friends with Buzz and Beverly since before Trust was started! It was good to have her sing a song with us again this year, too!

Trust also has a bit of a tradition of doing the picnic thing on the way down south. We have a particular road side picnic table that we have claimed and make it our practice to eat a sandwich there every year. After our annual picnic, we head on to Marathon and set up for the concert. This year, we were fortunate to have Jeff and Rhonda's son, Cody, with us on Saturday night. He lives in the area and his schedule worked out to be with us for a bit. I think his folks were pretty excited to see him!

The concert Sunday morning was, ummm, interesting. For a while it seemed that if it could go wrong, it would. I think the devil was in the technical issues! For all our rehearsal and sound checks to have gone so smoothly, the concert had its issues. But honesty compels me to say that God is much bigger than the technical issues! While we really strive to accomplish as much as possible to provide an enjoyable musical experience, we strive much more to have God present with us. Friend, God was present at Community United Methodist Church in Marathon, FL Sunday!

The church was filled and folks were standing along the back wall. As the church welcomed first time guests, I turned around from my seat on the front pew to see several acknowledge they were there for the very first time. I learned later that one of the couples I had seen standing during that time was from The Netherlands. They told us they heard about Trust being in Marathon and booked airline tickets to come hear us. (Don't tell Buzz, but I think they were joking when they said that part.)

They told us seriously though, they were a bit disillusioned with their current religion and were excited to hear about the message of Jesus they heard Sunday. What a joy to hear of what the power of God can do through the ministry of His Word and song!

During the concert, while introducing a song, I made reference to the man speaking to Jesus about his son who was very ill. His statement to Jesus, "Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief," actually came out of my mouth and I had no idea why. I have never, I repeat NEVER used that Scripture to introduce a song that we sing. Honestly it scared me, because I was then trying to figure out how I was going to get to the point I wanted to make before singing the song. While going around my elbow to get to my thumb, I finally was able to get to the song.

After the concert, a dear lady approached me and mentioned how she enjoyed the concert. Then she looked me squarely in the eye, and told me the one thing that spoke to her the most was my statement about, "Help my unbelief." Chills went up my spine as I recalled my own feelings of insecurity while introducing a song.

Yes, dear friends, God was in the middle of that church Sunday morning! What an honor to be in God's presence and be willing vessels to accomplish His purpose in lives. THAT is why we do what we do!

On the way back home, we were able to stop alongside the road where the water is on both sides of the road. We took some time to enjoy God's amazing creation and took some pictures while we were stopped. God has been so good to us, and we can only give Him the glory for all He chooses to accomplish through us.

Thank you for continuing to pray for the ministry of Trust Quartet.

Happy Birthday Greetings

Hey Rhonda Mohr of Trust Quartet ~~ Happy Birthday! No, I'm not going to tell everyone how old you are, but rest assured, you'll always be younger than me!

Seriously, from all your Trust family, we hope you enjoy your special day.

The Weekend's Blessings

Ladies and gentlemen, it was a productive weekend! We are so thankful for the folks at Canal Point United Methodist Church and the Sunshine RV Park in Lake Placid.

Trust had the pleasure of being with the folks in Canal Point for their Sunday morning worship service. It was our third visit with them, and they just keep getting better! After the service, we were able to have prayer with the pastor who will be having some surgery this week. What an honor to be able to gather around a servant of God to pray that God's hand be upon him during this trying time.

Then, as we were greeting folks at the product table after the concert, Craig came by. I remembered Craig from our visit there two years ago. In fact, I had missed him last year and wondered about him then. Yesterday, Craig filled me in. He had open heart surgery, followed by gall bladder surgery. He was not well at all when we last visited Canal Point. As we shared and reminisced a bit, it was so inspiring to hear how God had used our CD, Classics Made New to minister to him during those difficult days. He mentioned specifically the song Spence sings, When He Was On The Cross. It was a special time to share with Craig, then pray with him as he continues his recovery.

We headed from Canal Point to our local 'hang-out' in Okeechobee ~ Golden Coral. I sure do love that place. Or I should say I sure do love the banana pudding at that place! Seriously, it was a great time around the table yesterday. The food seemed to be extra good, and to top it off, we saw some folks who had recently attended a Trust concert. They stopped us in the aisle and told us how much they appreciated our ministry with them a few weeks ago. Can I tell you this encourages us! Thank you for taking the time to share with us!

We got on the bus and headed for Lake Placid. Honesty compels me to say the bottom bunk in the back of the bus felt good for an hour as we rolled down the road. The nap was good, but it was time to set up for the concert with these good folks at the RV park. It was a good service with these folks, and after the service we were able to visit with those who stopped by the product table to say hello. Friend, if you are ever at a Trust concert, PLEASE do stop by and speak with us! We cherish those times more than you'll ever know!

Let me briefly share a bit of a dilemma we find ourselves in. As we meet people, particularly our winter friends who live in the North during the summer months, we are approached about traveling to their homelands during the summertime. We are asked quite often about our travel schedules. We would love to go to Virginia, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and all places north of the Florida panhandle. The problem comes in the expense that is involved. We would make the trip(s), and are certainly open to making it happen, but please do keep in mind that each of us have regular jobs that we work, and the expense involved would require us to schedule several services along the way. If you are interested in trying to help us with those possibilities, please, by all means, contact our Trust Promotions staff ~ namely Buzz and Pat ~ and we'll do everything we can to make it happen.

Thank you for being our friends. We truly do appreciate all your encouragement. And be praying for the pastor at Canal Point United Methodist Church, and for Craig. Until next time . . . keep on singing!

Trust Quartet Celebrates 19th Anniversary

Trust Quartet singing at 19th Anniversary Celebration

 

OKEECHOBEE, FL -- Trust Quartet celebrated their 19th Anniversary POPCORN style Saturday night, February 2, 2013 at the Abiding Hope Worship Center in Okeechobee. Celebrating with Trust was Simple Faith Quartet from St. Petersburg, FL and Gulf State Quartet from Bowling Green, FL.

The three groups have joined forces to produce what is being termed, POPCORN Concerts around the state of Florida. POPCORN Concerts are concerts that feature each group singing in rapid succession song after song after song. The result is approximately two and one half hours of music, with minimal time spent speaking.

Some 200 friends and family filled the auditorium and enthusiastically welcomed the groups. When all was said and done, a time of refreshments was served in the church's fellowship hall.

Trust Quartet wishes to thank the pastor and congregation at Abiding Hope Worship Center as well as Simple Faith and Gulf State. Countless hours of planning and preparation go into such an event and without the help of friends and family like these who work sacrificially behind the scenes, it simply would not be accomplished. To list each one's name would be a mistake because inevitably someone's name would be left out. That would be far more disastrous!

Plans are already in the making for next year's anniversary ~ the 20th for Trust Quartet! Be watching as time draws near and make plans to attend.