In our day to day living, there are a few "constants" that we can count on. One of those constants is change. Children start Kindergarten-it's a change; elementary schoolers become middle schoolers; middle schoolers become high schoolers; kids go off to college or trade school or move away for a new job; people retire from a long and faithful career; people move from their home of 50 years into a care facility; a loved one passes away and we no longer see them or pick up the phone and call them-- you get the idea.

             Some changes we accept and embrace and even encourage-- other changes tend to threaten us to a certain degree or even shake us to our very foundations at times.

             Some of us have lived life with continual change and can become accustomed to it-- even comfortable with it. Others of us have lived with a great deal of stability and consistency and are unaccustomed to change.

            Our church is changing. When we look around there are faces that were not her 2 years ago or even 6 months ago.  And some of those "old familiar faces" that we were so used to seeing are gone. We have a remodeled sanctuary, and newer hymnals, and different types of music. We have an associate pastor, and new programs, and ministries that are unfolding. I could go on and on.

            I want to bless you and thank you for the ways in which you have 'handled' the changes- which is the sign of a 'health' church. Some congregations can be torn asunder by even small changes. You have not only weathered the changes but I would venture to guess that we've grown in the process.

             There will always be things that some of us just don't like, or we're uncomfortable with or they rub us the wrong way. What it usually comes down to is "who’s church is this anyway?" If your answer continues to be - "it is the Lord's Church" then we will continue to ask what His will is rather than what is my will. You are doing that. I see it in so many ways. And bless you for that and thank God for your faithfulness.

              We worship a God who says over and over again both explicitly an implicitly, "Behold, I am making all things new" (change!) God Takes what is and breathes new life into it. And again sometimes God does something brand new-- never before seen by us. That's who God is and that's how God works.

             Thank you for being willing to "change" and bless you. You are an amazing group of people.

              And I'll look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday.

                                                                                                     In Christ's Love,

                                                                                                     Joel