Hi Church,

I am starting to work on next year’s sermon series, and when I do that, I always want to spend time with the Lord first.  He shows and reveals to me what it is He wants me to teach.  Often I have taken a few days to be in total isolation - to shut out all the distractions around me.  That way I am more open to hear the Lord’s voice over all the others that come into my ears. 

Only this year my daughter is about to give birth!  This makes it hard to “disappear” for a few days.  And yet, the life of the church must go on.  And so I will find time to spend listening to what God is asking of me, and still get to enjoy the new baby. It just will look differently this year. 

And for many of us, life itself is different this year.  We have lost loved ones, some have retired, many have had illnesses and injuries, some have moved, etc.  Life at the church is different this year: changes in the church worship team, new folks come and folks that went, trees cut down, land being sold…so many things all around us that make this year look different. 

But that is ok.  Because even if things in our life and things at the church look different, one thing remains the same.  And we know that is our Lord.  Jesus is and always will be the same today, yesterday and forever.  His love never leaves us.  His grace will always be with us. 

And that my friend is a blessing beyond all blessings!  Amen?

Pastor Marcy