May 22, 2020
Dear Church Family,
Is it Sunday yet? Or it is Blursday? The days seem to be running together as we continue moving through the global coronavirus pandemic. Take heart – you’re not alone! We will get through this – together.
Be encouraged, because we are making progress toward being back together in person for worship services. We’re asking God for the right strategy for our church to reopen safely, in a way that demonstrates our honor and love for each other. I ask that you continue being patient and prayerful as we determine our next right steps.
This Sunday, as we continue gathering for worship online, we’ll be starting a new series, Designed to Overcome. I can hardly wait to share with you what God has put on my heart for us for this next season.
I’m confident that God is not surprised by the events we’ve experienced in 2020. How would our perspective of this pandemic – and every other difficult circumstance in our lives – shift if we truly believed that God really is powerful enough to take all things, and I mean, ALL THINGS, in our lives and work them together for good? Perhaps the attitude of the Apostle Paul can help us:
Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!
(Romans 5:3-5, TPT)
What if God is inviting us into a place of deeper trust and intimacy with Him? What if He’s just waiting for permission to access ALL of you and ALL of me – the good, the bad, and the ugly; the broken places, the hurts, and the disappointments; the hopes and dreams not yet realized? And what if what was intended for evil against us is the very thing God intends to transform and use for the good of countless others? Maybe the story of our lives is about more than just us!
I’m so looking forward to being with you on Sunday at 11am via Livestream or Facebook Live. (For a sneak peek into what’s coming in our new series, let me encourage you to check out the story of Joseph in Genesis, chapters 37-50.) In addition to starting our new series, we’ll have an update from Pastors Luke and Megan Turner and a moment of honoring our fallen heroes on the eve of Memorial Day.
Thank you for continuing to be a great church. Remember – you are the light of the world. Keep shining brightly!
We will get through this together!
Pastor Mike Lewis