• Civil Servants Day

Faith Baptist Church in Wildomar was the site of "Civil Servants Day" where all the elected officials, with jurisdiction over Wildomar were invited, including Governor Jerry Brown... though one of his liaisons politely declined due to a scheduling conflict. 😄

A look at the church from the parking lot, and some clippings from the program.

A handful of local elected officials attended, including Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, Wildomar Mayor Ben Benoit, Wildomar Councilmember Bridgette Moore and Lake Elsinore Councilmember Daryl Hickman.

Upon arrival, after several friendly greetings by all along the route from the parking lot, the honored guests were asked to sign in. 

Making it official.

From there, they were shown to their seats near the orchestra section... imagine that, they had a live orchestra, accompanying their choir, and other singers.

Pastor Bruce Goddard started with a word of prayer, thanking the Lord for the right to gather freely. After a hymn, there were a few words about the biblical admonition of "praying for our leaders" and how that didn't just apply to those you agree with. 

After being invited to the stage, Melissa Melendez was the first to speak for a few moments. She quoted Proverbs 11:14 where it says, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

• "That's a great way to describe the people who are elected into office. We have great authority over people's lives and we and we need to do that in a way that is thoughtful and a way that is righteous and moral. And we're human, and sometimes we make mistakes, and sometimes we say things we shouldn't, and we have to apologize for them. I wish we were perfect, but Lord knows that I'm not." (the audience chuckled in unison at that)

• "When you're praying for your elected leaders ask God to help us make the right decision. Ask God to help us be strong against all the forces that are out there asking us to do the wrong thing, for the wrong reasons... and believe me, there are many. You have no idea the number of people that come in and out of my office in Sacramento saying, "We need you to do this, we want you to do that."

And when we say, "That's not the right thing for me to do for my constituents," they give you a whole list of reasons of why you should anyway. A lot of guilt is involved, as a Catholic I'm very familiar with the guilt angle, so... (at which the audience gave out a hearty laugh of concurrence). Guilt doesn't work on me." (where the laughter continued).

• "I thank you for your strength, I thank you for coming together as a community and praying for your elected leaders... because, nothing is stronger than God, nothing! Nobody that comes into my office is stronger than God, no lobbyists, no special interests, no one is stronger than the influence God has on our lives."

The next speaker was 2018 Wildomar Mayor Ben Benoit.

• "I was so happy to be able to come here today, and [be] with you here today. (Referring to Melissa Melendez's comment about guilt) It's absolutely true, the guilt thing is there every time someone comes into our office, puts their hand on the table and tells us why we have to do something... and just like Melissa grew up in a Catholic household, [same for me] and [guilt] doesn't work."
(the audience responded with laughter and applause.)

City Councilmember Bridgette Moore was next to speak. She took the opportunity to invite the congregation to the Prayer Breakfast in May.

• "We're going to have a prayer breakfast on May third, [in conjunction with] the National Day of Prayer, the first Thursday of May every year. I started this [for our area] back in 2016 when I was Mayor. I'm glad my fellow councilmembers are continuing it, so I invite all of you to attend. May 3rd at 6:30 in the morning. It will be at Wildomar City Hall in the [Council] Chambers. However, no city funds were used, this is being put on by a private organization (a bit of laughter came with that last statement) just wanted to make that clear." (which brought more laughter of understanding).

Once the local electeds were finished speaking, Pastor Goddard then bestowed some books upon the guests. The first one was about the founders of America. 

From left to right, Lake Elsinore Councilmember Daryl Hickman, Wildomar Councilmember Bridgette Moore, 67th District Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, Wildomar Mayor Ben Benoit and (with book in hand) Pastor Bruce Goddard. 

The group looks over their books, and the extra three volume set handed Melissa Melendez. 

As Pastor Goddard was handing the books about American Leaders to her, he uncorked a funny quip that got everyone laughing. 

"This is a set of books on leaders of America, and just great volumes and again you can just read a page and put it down — you've got nothing to do, right?"

- Pastor Bruce Goddard to Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez

The fun part for me came during the photo op. Though they had an in house photographer, I got out of the pew I was sitting in to get a shot for this blog. Lo and behold, I was invited by the pastor to take a picture from the same place that their photographer had been stationed. 
If someone has a shot of me while standing up there, I'd love to get a copy.

It's always fun to take photos of photo ops.

As you can see, that spot was perfect for such a group shot.
Left to right: Daryl Hickman, Bridgette Moore, Melissa Melendez, Ben Benoit and Bruce Goddard. 

What an uplifting morning. From the greetings on the way in and to our seats, to the presentations and even the sermon. What a nice and inviting place filled with caring people. I'm so glad I was invited along... thank you.

•                •                •

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.

– Thomas Aquinas

Wildomar Rap can't explain any of it.

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email. Link to proper format.