Dear Ones,
I pray that each of you will have a blessed Thanksgiving day and week. We of all peoples have much to be thankful for in our dear Savior. Though our world is full of unrest, we can rest in knowing that our God is sovereign over all the affairs on this earth, whether natural or spiritual. In the midst of all the chaos around us, we can have the Shalom Peace of God which transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
2023 has been a challenging year for our Church Body. So many of us have had or are continuing to endure some significant health challenges. Yet despite these and other significant trials, I see a stubborn clinging and dependence on Jesus. The pain and the struggle are real, but so also is the spiritual growth of Christ being formed in us.
Whether we find ourselves in a time of challenges or blessings, let us hold firmly to Christ! Let us rejoice, not in our circumstances, but in simply knowing that our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) and that we belong to Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords and King of kings.
Maranatha! (Our Lord is coming!),
Pastor Sam
