Greetings!
I decided to do a little checking up on you! With the rise in the omicron variant of covid, we have seen a decline (a significant one!) with in-person worship. So, I wondered if there had been a correlation with an increase in online worship attendance. We have ways of checking such things! I was deeply touched to learn that there was in fact such a correlation and it affirmed one more time during this pandemic your continuing commitment to Messiah.
We have experienced a similar commitment with our giving at Messiah. There was a slight decline in giving for our operating budget; nothing that our capable church leadership couldn’t manage and that was understandable given the number of people who have moved away or moved into eternal life. There was an increase in giving for supporting ministries like food assistance and refugee resettlement. So, once again, you proved your faithfulness.
It is very humbling to serve as one of the pastors in a church like Messiah. It is also a blessing. Thank you for the ways that you continue to demonstrate your commitment to Jesus Christ by supporting the ministries of Messiah. I long for the day when we will have a little more security about coming together and sharing with one another in-person, but in the meantime, know that your faithfulness is shining like a bright star and that I continue to be grateful for the privilege of sharing life with you.
