July-August 2014: A Word from Pastor Anne

A Word from Pastor Anne
Being God’s People of Peace

Is it summer already!? I think I say that every year…

I love warm weather. Shorts, ice cream, bbq, great summer fruits and vegetables. I wish I had a good shaveice place nearby.

Some summers are relaxing and mellow. This summer there is a lot of change going on! We had a large group of high school and college graduates this year. They and their families are moving into that next stage of life in college or the work place.

Here at church we celebrated Father’s Day with a wonderful worship led by our United Methodist Men (UMM), lunch by our Fellowship team and Ground breaking for the Ministry Center. Construction has started and is moving steadily along! It can be noisy here at church during the week. See the Building Corner!

Even change that we want can be fun and exciting and also unknown and scary. We can look forward to what might be and anxious about the unknown all at the same time. And then there are undesirable changes that happen – health problems, broken relationships, disappointments and failures. These can leave us hurting and overwhelmed.

I am excited to do a preaching series on Being People of Peace (BPOP).

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

As Christians, shouldn’t we be peaceful? After all, Christ is our peace! And yet, we can feel as challenged to hold on to peace as anyone else. Are there others in the Bible like us? What did they do? What does a communityof peace look like and how do we become a greater reflection of God’s Kingdom?

We start with the story of Gideon in Judges 6-8. He was chosen by God to serve God and turn people’s hearts back to the LORD. Gideon was used mightily by God to do good. While he was very faithful, he still had a lot of questions, doubts and fears. Gideonreturned again and again to talk with and seek God’s leading.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

This is one of the top favorite verses of our congregation members. Where does that strength and peace come from? What is God really saying to us? Join us to find out and learn more.

As our Ministry Center progresses, people are thinking about different ministries and uses for the new space. The Holy Spirit is moving and stirring in powerful ways and bringing others to become and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ with us. Change is happening and will continue as our community grows. Are you ready to be part of that change? We need God’s peace to stay focused, to not be anxious and to stay strong together.

Let’s be God’s People of Peace together! BPOP!