Kristina and I have just come back from our almost annual trip to northern Michigan, where we enjoyed a Pastor family camp on the shores of Lake Huron. We met with colleagues, some of whom we have laughed, cried, and prayed with for over 30 years. We had a few days of cooler weather, but finished by dodging the smoke-filled air coming from wildfires in Ontario. Good to be away, but very good to be back home!
Fall is upon us, and a very full and exciting season approaches. Here are a few events to be aware of:
Following worship on August 2, we give thanks and say a bittersweet “godspeed” to Daniel and Maegan Croskrey. Daniel will be the Director of Family Ministry at Covenant Presbyterian in Monroe. We will miss them dearly, but are happy for the greater opportunities in ministry that await them both.
Also on August 2, we are offering an update from the EPC General Assembly held in June. Significant discussion and decisions were made in the area of officer ordination standards that have generated some questions and concerns. I will provide a detailed report, hopefully accompanied by some of our Ruling Elders who attended. I believe the thoughtful, biblically based conclusions reached by the assembly have strengthened our “gatekeeping” for ordination, and I look forward to sharing this information with you.
August 9 brings us back to our three Sunday services, and a full plate of Sunday school offerings including a new class open to everyone but aimed at leadership development for our current and potential Elders and Deacons. We will have an excellent group of Pastors and Elders leading this, along with our other top-notch offerings at 10.10 am.
August 16 will bring our new sermon series on The Gospel of Luke. Luke’s approach of paying special attention to both Jews and Gentiles, men and women, as well as people of wealth and modest means makes this a gospel where we can easily find ourselves. More importantly, it’s a great series to invite friends and neighbors to worship that may not have a church home or a relationship with Jesus Christ yet. Pray and consider who the Lord may be calling you to bring along to FPC this year!
Finally, pat a Pastoral Search Committee member on the back the next time you see them. They have looked at over 120 different candidate’s sermons and had discussions with a significant number of pastors, some of which are ongoing. Let’s continue to be diligent in prayer for them, knowing that the Lord provides his wisdom as we look to him (Colossians 1:9).
In the meantime, I am honored and grateful to be your pastor for this season. God’s presence in the “wilderness” times of our life together allow our roots of faith to strike the living water of his faithfulness.
Yours in Christ,
Scott
