Since the last post...

Pastor Mike and I have been discussing how the church has responded to a number of difficult situations over the last year or so. I, of course, have now experienced its generosity and love at a level which I had not anticipated. Martha's illness and recent diagnosis have affirmed my trust in God and in His people here at St. Lukes. Pastor is once again witnessing the love of God's people through his recent health problems. Together we have witnessed how strong our church can be through these difficult times and also as we went through a difficult situation with our church finances. The feelings of anger, hurt, confusion, and perhaps a bit of feeling betrayed, went around the office for many weeks.

Through it all we have noticed and commented on the resilience of our membership. We noted that our attendance did not decline, despite Pastor Mike's absence from the pulpit for around two months. We noted that our offerings did not decrease despite the setbacks of earlier this year. And we noted that our Holy Week services actually increased in attendance from last year.

In Bible study just this morning we commented on I Thessalonians where Paul praised the church for its faith, trust and love within its members, and the generosity it still exhibited in the face of persecution. Paul expressed again and again that he wanted to see the congregation once more in his journeys. Judging by the second letter he wrote to them, he may have been unable to do so. Paul, I think, would want to visit this congregation as well, and for many of the same reasons.

I thank God that he saw fit to place me here, and I thank you, members of St. Luke, for all you have demonstrated of the Christian response to the trials of being His People in the world.

In His Peace,

John