I want to thank you for the notes I have received and your personal words of kindness and encouragement. I certainly have been blessed to serve this congregation.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. Ephesians 2:19-22
I have always believed that God has called us, the Church of Jesus Christ, to great purposes in the on-going work of salvation. God has entrusted the Church with the proclamation of the Gospel and participation in the communion of God’s people. The world will know we are Christians by our love, a persistent agape love. Together, we, the Church, are a dwelling place for God.
In the days and months ahead, please remember:
* Whose you are. If you think you do it all by your own will, intellect, strength, and heart, think again! God is not in your life, domesticated by your agenda; you live in God! (Acts 17:28)
* The Church is open every Sunday and all the days in between. Don’t just fit the Church into your schedule, be open to letting the Church free up your schedule with a Sabbath rest.
* Community is a gift of the Spirit and it is not the same as a like minded, interest group. Community/communion is bound by faith and love. I give thanks for the strength of this community and what you share together in meals, in caring, in openness and truth-telling, in common purpose, and in faith. This is not to be taken for granted!
* Decisions of the Church are made in an open and transparent process.
* You are a disciple, not a volunteer!
* Mission is motivated by the Spirit igniting your passion.
* You truly are God’s beloved, the sons and daughters of God through
baptism. Rejoice in God’s love and share it!
I love you, too, and will remember you always. Thank you for eleven and a half wonderful years.
Grace to you and peace in Christ,
Pastor Dawn
