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A Message from the Pastor
Dear Beloved of God,
Change is inevitable but seldom easy. Once again, the congregation is going through a significant change. Our music director, David Gibson, is retiring. We are sad to lose David and Frank. They have become an important part of the community, and we will send them off with gratitude and well-wishes for an enjoyable retirement.
With David and Frank leaving on July 23, and the anticipation of my leaving in a few months, it is understandable that you may be experiencing some anxiety about the church’s future. Who will our next musician be? Who will our next pastor be? What will two new staff mean for our community?
One of my favorite Bible passages, and one I turn to when I find myself beginning to worry about the future, is Matthew 6:34: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Jesus acknowledges that we have worries but encourages us to focus on one day at a time. Be present with what is happening now because we have no way of knowing what tomorrow will bring.
Scott Ford wrote in a D365 (www.d365.org) devotional:
Some things in life we cannot control. Sometimes we wait. And in our waiting, we have the gift of time to focus on what we can control. We can still follow the way of Jesus. We can be neighborly. We can serve. We are not powerless. As we wait, we can make a difference.
I pray that you can let go of anxiety and fear and focus on prayer and action. Be totally present in the day and with the people around you. Do what you can and leave the rest to God. God is faithful and will see us through whatever we have to face.
Peace,
Peggy
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