Salutations, my brothers, and sisters in Christ! I hope that you are excited about what is to come for Pilgrim Church in the coming year. I know I am! I feel confident that God is still very much at work in our world and has great plans in store for us. Therefore, I’m looking forward to the future with hope and excitement!
I am thrilled to hear that many in our congregation have already received or have appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As more of us become vaccinated, we will be able to gradually move back to stable, in-person worship, times of fellowship, and community-wide outreach projects. We will no longer speak of Wednesday night dinners and fall fests as things held in the past, but as activities we will soon enjoy again! Each day, I feel more confident that this pandemic will soon end and we will once again be able to come together as a church community and welcome each other with a hug or a handshake.
I am grateful for you and your commitment to Pilgrim Church. Because of your willingness to support this church, even when church life was at a standstill, Pilgrim Church survived both pandemic and an 18-month period without a settled pastor – not an easy feat! I want to take this moment to affirm and celebrate your faithfulness to God and to this church community.
As we move forward into a new chapter, I ask that you prayerfully consider how you can be involved in the part of the body of Christ that is Pilgrim Church. I strongly believe that our post-pandemic world will be different, presenting us with new challenges and new opportunities to share the love of Christ with our neighbors. Each member’s participation, collaboration and innovation will be key to our success. Therefore, your ideas, questions, time, and labor will be essential and greatly appreciated as we re-energize our ministries.
Also, the ministry of the church requires financial support. In Luke 8:1-3, we find that Jesus relied on the financial support of His followers. His church is no different. Our services and ministries are funded by you, as church members. Your support strengthens the body and extends Christ’s reach into our community. Moreover, tithing is a spiritual discipline that benefits the individual, as well. Tithing is a physical action that brings to life our trust in and commitment to God. I am appreciative of those who have pledged financial support to the church by turning in a pledge card, as well as those who have made private commitments to support the church financially. As we begin to revitalize our ministries, please prayerfully consider how you may be able to go above and beyond, when you are able, to support both old and new ministry initiatives.
As I said earlier, I am looking to the future with hope and excitement. God has led us this far, and He will continue to lead us into a bright, new future. By His grace, there will be new life at Pilgrim as we begin to come together as a community once more to fellowship together, support one another, and serve Christ by serving our community.
Each of you has been grafted into this part of the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit to strengthen it. Therefore, you are vital to the health of Pilgrim Church. So, come and be a part of your community of faith. You are wanted and needed. We celebrate you and what you bring to the table!
By His Holy Spirit, may God continue to inspire us and guide us as we move forward, together.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you His faithful ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 40:4-5
Pastor John