Assembly Required

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The next five consecutive Sundays call for your attention, participation, and presence. Please make every effort to be what we are: a congregation, an assembly of believers in the Lord.  (If we could figuratively turn over the box of the church, we would see written, assembly required.

This coming Sunday morning we will distribute our campaign handbook/magazine. Over the next weeks, I’m confident that you will take a few minutes to review this resource as an introduction to 2020 Vision: Growing in Boldness and Hope. I also ask that you bring it along with you each of the subsequent four weeks. It will serve as a reference for the sermon series and brief presentations each Sunday. 

Together over the last several years we have discerned that God is calling us to grow in our mutual ministry as a congregation for the community. Week after week we welcome new visitors. On a regular basis we experience the variety and breadth of God’s blessings. And as we look to the community around us, we see the abundant mission field to which we are sent to serve and witness to the hope that is within us.

While the goal that we most often think of is the physical construction of expanded and renovated facilities, we need to remember that Christ is also calling us to be a new creation as we stretch in our faith and willingness to cooperate with God’s will for our life together. Specifically, we envision expanding our ministry with the community.

While some of us may be hesitant to embrace this vision, we need to remind ourselves that out of a similar vision this congregation has grown over the years. This perhaps is no better exemplified than by the relocation from Scotland over 25 years ago to our current location on Luther Ridge. Taking risks and trusting God is part of the spiritual DNA of this congregation. We need to be mindful that God has a way of coming through every time, even and especially when we cooperate and participate.

There will be several opportunities to participate in gatherings for updates, encouragement, and fellowship as we look forward together. Please keep this effort in your prayers in the weeks and months ahead.

Meanwhile, may the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yours in Christ,

Christopher Frye

Pastor