2019, January

Dear Friends,

St. Paul writes in Philippians 1: 1 – 6
‘Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.’

A New Year is upon us and we look back to the rollercoaster ride of 2018 and expectantly view the coming of 2019 with apprehension and hope. Who knows what the new days will bring. Well, God knows. You and I will wait for the developments as they appear.

On February 16 I will be celebrating my tenth anniversary as pastor of Zion. Wow! Where has all the time gone? In the 276 years of Zion/Spring City Lutheran Church there have been 42 pastors. I am now the 9th longest tenured pastor in that history. It certainly gives me cause for reflection as I ponder the things accomplished and the things left undone. When I look back at the hopes and dreams of Zion in 2008 and 2009 I can see that we have done much that we had hoped to accomplish but have left much yet to do.

I do, with St. Paul: ‘thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.’ I truly believe that we are a Gospel (Good News) sharing congregation and that we began on a good footing and continue to proclaim the joy of God’s Love that is expressed best in life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

I am also confident, with St. Paul, that God will bring to completion the good things that are intended for Zion Lutheran Church. So, we enter a new year with expectation, trepidation and hope, not knowing exactly what is going to happen but knowing that in all things, the name of Jesus will be victorious. Let the year begin and let us serve in His name with faith, love, hope and confidence.

Your companion in Ministry,
Pastor Paul