Pastor Schmidt July 2007
Dearly Beloved,
I am enjoying the afterglow of Community Day Camp 2007. The memory of the kids enthusiastically singing their favorite camp songs, happily fashioning their crafts and projects, attentively listening and participating in the “faith” lessons of the day….are like “sugar plums dancing in my head.” We had a great week in the life of our congregation. It was a great week in the lives of the 90+ children and youth who attended this year’s event entitled: “Listen! God is Calling.”
As these “sugar plums” dance about in my head, there is something even more delightful that comes to my heart. What may that be? The thought of you. Of your generosity. Of your support. Of your interest. Of your involvement. Of your participation in this mission of making Christ known to the children of the surrounding neighborhoods, some of whom had never stepped in a church before or whose family is un-churched.
You proclaimed the Gospel. And…you made the Gospel happen through the offering of this program as a free gift to the area communities we have as part of our “mission field.” In our weekly Tuesday morning Staff Meeting, Pastor Jeff and I were reflecting on this year’s camp experience. As we were engaging in some over all evaluation, one of the things noted was the widespread involvement in making this year’s Community Day Camp happen. New members, longtime members, prospective members, visiting guests and community friends of our congregation all had a part in this mission venture. WOW! Having PARTAKEN of the Gospel of Christ Jesus and the marvelous experience of grace, we have PARTNERSHIPPED together to extend that very Gospel and its life-giving, life-changing grace to others. That is what being a Christian witness is about. That is “The Church” at its very best. That is the enacting of our congregation’s VISION—“to be a dynamic congregation of disciples proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.” That is enfleshing our congregation’s MISSION—“to glorify God in all we do, reflecting His love to our community and the world.”
As your pastor, I give thanks and praise to God for gifting me with you. I can’t wait for this coming week to unfold. Together to the glory of God, through different programs and ministries, we will again “make Christ known.”
Love in Christ,
Pastor Wayne