From The Pastor – July 2018

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade. Mark 4:30-32

Summer is in full swing! In the winter, when the pace gets a bit much I think to myself: just wait for the summer and then things will slow down. Then the summer comes, and it is even more busy than winter, just a few less meetings! But it rarely feels as busy as it does in winter, maybe because summer brings so much fun with it. I hope that you take time this summer to get out and enjoy this beautiful place we live. People come from all over the world to vacation here. You are blessed to live in the place where the world comes to play! I find the fact that we find ourselves here a gift of grace. Grace is what this passage from Mark is all about. Disproportionate and miraculous growth comes as a gift from God. I hope that is what you experience in your spiritual journey. God is good. Growth in faith comes as a gift of God’s grace. SO, trust yourself and loved ones to the slow patient work of God.

Since summer is here, we have a few calendar items to discuss because I don’t want you to miss out. Sunday July 8 is our worship in Prentice Park. This service starts at 10:00 a.m. because we have a potluck meal afterwards. So please come and enjoy our beautiful city park. Remember to bring bug spray! And, in case of inclement weather, we will meet in the fellowship hall.
Sunday July 15 will start out like a usual Sunday at 9:30 in the sanctuary; however, after the message, we will pause the service and move to Kreher Park for the blessing on the bay. Since we are at the bay already and it is at Kreher Park, where many of us launch our boats, I say let’s also have a blessing of the boats—so bring your boat if you have one!

This will be a fun month in the life of the church. We get a chance to get out and enjoy the environment together. We have this beautiful place as a gift of God’s grace. Let’s celebrate the fact that we life where the world comes to play!
Grace and peace,
Jim