One of the many benefits of serving as a pastor is the opportunity to go into a sanctuary for peace and prayer whenever you want. On my first day here last week, I kneeled at the altar and asked God to accept my ministry with you as an offering. During that moment of prayer, I suddenly had this image in my head, of the communion rail extending out to the one in my previous church, and all the ones before that. And I remembered that the same table is set, and there’s always a seat for me at it, no matter where I am. God is here, as I know He would be, and I am at peace in Him. Isn’t it a blessing to look back on the seasons in your life, and see how God had prepared a place for you in each one? The SPRC has done a wonderful job preparing a place for me here, and you welcomed us so warmly this past Sunday as well. Thank you to everyone who wrote a hello note, and my boys were especially thankful for the Astros deck of cards in their gift basket! I can already tell that this church is full of kind, talented, faithful people and I’m thrilled to get to partner in ministry with you.
I wanted to share some ministry updates with you. Since this Sunday, we have raised $4,300 for disaster relief for our friends in Central Texas. That’s an incredible show of support, thank you! UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is known worldwide for being the first on the scene and the last to leave. If you’d like to contribute, you can click this link and choose the “Guadalupe ….”. And more good news – we’ve collected 278 pairs of jeans for our Red, White, and Blue Jeans campaign for Lifeline. Only 22 pairs away from our goal!
I also wanted to share a note with you that I received from Bishop Harvey yesterday:
