Today is the beginning of the six weeks that we have set aside for prayer and fasting. We want you to join us in this period. We are asking several things of you.
First, we ask that you pray daily. Ask that this body receive wisdom and discernment as we choose two new ministers. Pray for the person who is to come. Also pray for those applicants who want to come, but are not selected. Pray for the process that will be used to select these new ministers. We, as your Shepherds, have not decided what that process will look like yet…and will not decide until we complete the next six weeks of prayer and fasting.
Second, we ask that if you are physically able, please set aside one or more days of fasting. On that day or days, spend an extended time in prayer and meditation.
Third, we would ask that each of you pickup Foot Prints of Faith at one of the banners located throughout the building. For each week there is a meditation and scripture reading. This week it is “The Blessing of God” and Psalm 103. Read it daily. Then each day, answer and ponder the three questions that are listed.
Many have asked what is this period of transition going to look like? How long will it last? To be quite honest, we do not know the answer to the last question—but we trust that God will lead us as He has always led His people.
What will this period look like? We do have some insight into that. As to the pulpit ministry-
-through Easter, Ben Siburt will have a series of sermons leading us to the Cross and the celebration of the Resurrection.
-After Easter, we are in the process of lining up several different ministers to fill the pulpit.
As to the children’s ministry, there is a team chaired by Liz McCown overseeing that work. All the bases there are well covered through May. However beginning in June, there will be a need for additional teachers and other support personnel. Summers are always ‘dicey’- school is out, people are usually vacationing and schedules are not as fixed as during the other times of the year. If you are willing to teach-either full time, part time or team teach- at any level from the 2 year old through the fifth grade, please contact Liz or call Donna at the church office.
Our American society is one that insists on instant gratification. We want our ‘fast food’ and quick service so that we can rush off to do something else. Easy credit with plastic has gotten more than one of us into trouble. We are not the first of God’s people to suffer from this malady. In Exodus 32, when Moses had been on Mt. Sinai for what appeared to be a long time, the impatient Israelites cried out to Aaron for an idol.
As we are in this time of transition–and what may begin to seem like a long time to some of us–listen to the words of David in Psalm 37:
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
Glenwood-
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.
Place your hope and trust in the Lord,
And the inheritance will be yours.
Be at Peace.
For the Elders,
Wayne Propst
