And I am sure of this, the One who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
Good Day Family,
I pray that you are well. Some of you may have heard the news that our faithful Church Secretary, Ruth McManaway, has decided to retire after twenty years of service to First Church! Her last day will be on her anniversary, which is August 4. We give thanks to God for all that Ruth has done in the life of our church, the ways in which she has maintained the church office and facilitated ministry, and the way she has been the hospitable and consistent first contact for so many. We celebrate Ruth, and I encourage each of us to share with Ruth what her service has meant to us over these twenty years. The best news is…Ruth will remain a member of our church family! So, we don’t have to say goodbye, just rejoice in a job well done and completed.
We have hired a new secretary who is spending a few days with Ruth in transition and that I will introduce to you next week. Stay tuned. We have also made an offer that was accepted to bring a new custodian on-board at the end of August. We’ve been busy, and I am especially grateful for our Personnel Committee and their hard work and prayerful discernment during the last several weeks. I did mention last week that there was a lot going on in the life of our church.
This Sunday, we will have our first conversation about how we can increase connection and fellowship during this time of remote worship. This will be on Zoom after worship during our fellowship time. Anyone who is interested may participate. We already have some ideas in the works, but the more the merrier as the saying goes. We will especially look at creative opportunities for fellowship and for finding ways to connect those who have not yet connected with our online (and accessible by phone) worship.
Let us continue to keep one another lifted in prayer. I have heard the news about the Fair, and I have seen much of the reaction on Facebook. Let us continue to prayer for our community. As scripture tells us, “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7) I am also prayerful about the schools as they continue to strive to provide a safe, meaningful, and impactful educational year.
God is doing a new thing in the church and in the community. That is not always comfortable, in fact, it normally is not. But, that is why God has always been careful to remind us that God’s presence never leaves us nor forsakes us. Let us be strong and faithful and courageous, for the Lord our God is with us wherever we go…or stay.
In hope,
Be well,
Pastor Cheryl