January 2024

Dear Friends of First,

Happy New Years!

Not to start out on a grim note, but 2023 was a difficult year! Global conflict and wars, mental health conditions, racism, gun violence, food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, homelessness; and the list goes on. More than once, I have thought and prayed “Come, Lord Jesus-and please make it soon!” None of us has a crystal ball that will allow us to look into the future...So, we begin in trust and hope, that God-Emmanuel, is with us and that God can use us.

Some years ago, our presiding bishop at the time, wrote a little book entitled: A Good Time to Be the Church. That would be a great motto for us going into 2024. Being the church of Jesus Christ, and being “Church Together,” reminds us we are called, blessed, gathered, and sent to share and reflect the light and truth and love of Christ.

We do have much of what the world needs! We have truth and love to share. We have compassion and kindness that overflows. We learn and teach servanthood and hopefulness. We breathe and celebrate joy. We need each other, and the world around us needs us to be that kind of church!

We have prayed this favorite prayer before, and will again: “Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Amen.

In Christ,
Pastor Jim