2020-08-07 A Letter From the Pastor

​Dear Church Family,
It is hard to imagine that in a few short weeks we will be sending our children back to school.  They face a lot of uncertainty this year as they go back to either in-person or on-line classes, so know that we are praying for them and for you.  We have all had to adapt our lives in so many different ways as we face new challenges, and I am grateful to each of you, our church family, for the support and encouragement you have given to our church and ministry over these last several months. 
 
As we continue to offer a weekly on-line worship service, we have also slowly moved back in to in-person worship during July.  It has been wonderful seeing the faces of some of our church family in worship, and I am grateful for their willingness to help keep each other safe during this difficult time by distancing and wearing masks. As we continue through August, we are planning ways to add other in-person worship services to provide more options to the families in our community. I am grateful to the worship staff, Jeremy and Tarah, and the other musicians and singers who have helped us to continually provide a meaningful worship service. Our congregation is blessed to have so many talented individuals who can help lead us in this way. 
 
I am also grateful for the Directors of our Children and Youth ministries, Jackie, Cliff, and Elysa. They have done a remarkable job in finding creative ways to stay connected to the children, youth, and their families during this time. Vacation Bible School did not happen the way that we are accustomed to, but it was a great event that helped our kids FOCUS on Jesus and his love for them. A great time was had by all who participated, and I am grateful for their involvement as well as the contribution of the families who helped make the daily videos.  Jackie, Cliff, and Elysa are also discovering ways in which they can be in ministry with our children and youth in an in-person way. These activities will be different but engaging, and I hope you will be in prayer for them as they do what they can to not only provide Jesus' love to others, but to do so in a safe way. 
 
In this time of continued social distancing we have all had to adapt, and I am grateful for the daily support of Pastor Lyn and Misty Martin, our Administrative Assistant. They both do a lot of behind the scenes work that help our church to be successful in making disciples, and to keep our ministry running. I am also grateful for the support of Pastor Doyle, who has made countless phone calls to our church family during this time.   
 
I hope you know that we are doing the best we can every day to support you, your family, and our ministry during this challenging time, and it is our hope that you feel connected to our church in some significant way. Know that we all long for the day in which we can be back together with no worries of getting one another sick, and that we are making plans for that to happen as safely as we can. Know also that we need your help in making all of this happen.  We need your prayers, your support and encouragement, and your help to fund our combined ministry. Over the last two months, June and July, our giving has been lower than expected and lower than our monthly commitments. I am grateful for everyone who has begun giving on-line, dropping a check off in the office or through the mail, and for those who place their tithe in the donation box on Sunday mornings. You are helping to make a continued difference in our community through the ministry of our church. If you are behind in your giving for the year, and you are able, please consider the ways that you might give to our joint ministry. 
 
Again, thank you for your patience and support during this challenging time, and for your prayers and financial support of our ministry.

In Christ,
Rev. John Embrey, Senior Pastor