It's been a rough week in Denham Springs

We had our last service at the church. We should be back in the Spring if things get rolling as planned.

Members of Denham Springs’ First Methodist Church celebrated an outdoor service Sunday, the first exercise in worship since the church was heavily damaged by a fire Oct. 29.

In his address to a crowd gathered before a makeshift altar in the church’s parking lot, pastor Bob Deich, delivered a message of hope — and a promise that the church would be rebuilt.

In his sermon, “Do What We Do,” Deich exhorted the congregation to continue with its spiritual mission in the community.

“This is not the end; it is only a temporary leave-taking. We will rebuild our church and we will continue to minister to the people of Denham Springs as we have done for more than 100 years,” he said.

Deich estimated that 450 people had gathered for the ceremony — the church has membership of about 1,300 — and said the crowd was larger than a typical Sunday gathering.

Read the whole thing here

We've got a temporary church office and I'm working on getting the phone system working.

Of course our community was hit much harder Saturday night as 4 high school kids were killed in an automobile accident off of Hwy 16 in a very dangerous turn. Two of the young men were connected with our church but we know most of the families. I really feel for them and have them in my prayers.

It's certainly been a rough week for the Denham Springs community.