“Can you believe it's November already? Wow, where has this year gone? Time has a way of passing by quickly when we aren't looking, doesn't it? In some ways the past two years of pandemic- filled life have gone by incredibly quickly, and yet, so awfully slowly. This mont I want to keep my message short and sweet (less than a page, in fact). You'll see a theme of gratitude in Intern Lucy's message and in Council President Susan Hansen's message as well. I am grateful for you and for people who live out their vocation as persons of faith in daily life.
“Gratitude is also what I feel when I think about all that we've overcome, together. We have continued to be the church, right here, on the corner of Hales Mill and Springreen. I have, and will continue to pray for our shared ministry to be guided by the Spirit so that we might meet the needs of our congregation, community, and world through our actions. We are feeding hungry people, serving others, gathering clothing and essential needs for folks from Asbury to Africa. We have also walked through a time of reflection and prayer and invitation to participate in the financial well-being of this congregation. The Share Our Abundance campaign was a big success on many fronts, not least of which the involvement of 35+ Lord of Life members in the logistical efforts to bring it to fruition. Our prayers led us to invite you to join in making a statement of intent for giving for our annual fund and debt reduction efforts. The last number I heard was that between these two aspects of the campaign we received intent responses well over $400,000! Of course, I want to thank Pat and Mike for their leadership, and the entire team for their work, but I also want to thank YOU! Each of us, through our commitment to God's call to our shared ministry through sharing our intentions to give, no matter how little or how much, joins in the work of the church that began two-thousand+ years ago and will far outlive us. So THANK YOU for giving to God's work with our hands, in this place, in this time, so that we might share the Good News of Jesus Christ more boldly and more fully as a congregation.
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Pastor PaulBlogging and believing. Some notes about a life of faith, answers to questions you ask, and musings about leadership in the church. Archives
February 2022
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