Returning from Sabbatical

Weekly Update – July 8th, 2021

There is always this sort of nervous excitement when you come back to a place that you have been gone from for an extended period of time.  It is almost like that feeling you may have had on the first day of school when you were younger. Many of you can relate to this more recently as covid kept you away from places that you had always frequented in the past.  As you anticipate coming back you may be wondering what is new or what has changed and there may be this excitement that builds up as the day to return finally approaches.  That is sort of the way that I feel today.  It has been 9 weeks since I have seen you all.  I am more than grateful for the time that I had away and the rest that came with it.  It was such a refreshing time that was much needed.  But now, I have this excitement deep down within me as I look forward to worshipping with you all Sunday, and as I anticipate what the Lord might do among us post covid.  

First, I want to thank you for remaining faithful to serve and support the church over the last several weeks.  Many pastors are afraid to leave longer than a week because they don’t know what will happen while they are gone.  I don’t have that fear.  Not only do I trust the Lord to sustain His church, but I trust you all too.  Second, thank you to many who stepped up and led over the last several weeks.  When people ask me, “who is preaching for you while you are away?”, I am always proud to say, “a rotation of men from the church.”  Not only am I thankful for many capable men to fill the pulpit, but I am thankful for many men and women in our church who are willing and capable to lead.

Now, as we approach this coming Sunday, we will begin a new series in Ezra and Nehemiah.  This is fitting as we continue to come out of the last 15 months or so, because Ezra and Nehemiah remind us that God is sovereign, that He is good, and that He is still at work in His people.  Many of you may have felt like you were in a sort of exile during Covid.  Ezra and Nehemiah is a place of new beginnings as we see how God rebuilds his covenant people for the worship of Himself and the display of Himself to all the world.  I hope and pray that you will join me this Sunday as we take a look at Ezra 1-2.   

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael

Announcements:

Vacation Bible School: This year, Vacation Bible School will be held on July 12th-16th from 9:00am to Noon. Our plan is to have a fully functioning, normal as possible, type of week. The theme this year will be “Concretes and Cranes.” You can watch the promotional video for this theme HERE. Talk to Alaina Bonin about how you can be involved. A sign up sheet for leaders and helpers is available on the bulletin board and enrollment for children may be found HERE.