February Message (Annual Report) from Pastor Johnsen
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. [5] Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. [6] Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always” seemed to be the theme of the congregation at the end of 2011. The verse and the song played out in the Confirmation youth, in the Men’s Club and at worship in Advent. The “Rejoice” theme was evident in the Sunday School celebrations and in the Stewardship process. As we enter 2012, I would like to think that we can carry the Rejoice theme through the new year, and make these above verses our theme and mission statement for the new year of God’s grace. To rejoice in the Lord is to rejoice in his love and forgiveness, strength and will.
There are many reasons to rejoice in what God is doing at St. Andrew’s and with our people. Again, the outpouring of gifts, money and prayers for the hungry and less fortunate in the last months of the year was inspiring. The people of St. Andrew’s are generous in so many ways; if there is a need, people respond. This proves true also when a congregational member has a need, physically, spiritually, or emotionally. We continue to rejoice at the small groups in the church - Men, Youth, Women, Service - those who are developing relationships and skills and spiritual practices. We rejoice with the involvement of so many people in the ministry of the congregation, including the new Sunday School teachers, the newest Confirmation mentors, the people who continue to be worship assistants, along with brand new ones. The atmosphere of the congregation is open, supportive and freeing for so many to participate in the mission, according to their talents. Rejoicing in the Lord, we move ahead with the same faithfulness.
The lesson from Philippians continues.. “ Let your gentleness be known to everyone”. Do we recognize the gentleness in ourselves and among ourselves? Do we live out our faith in the world by being gentle with others? That is the call from this Bible verse. Would the community and those around us say that one of the attributes of St. Andrew’s is “gentleness” --- as opposed to “harshness” or “pride”? It would be good if we could, in all our dealings with each other and the community, be known as a congregation of gentle people, who live out the mercy of God.
How are we known in the community and in the Synod? I know that the Synod Staff regard us as faithful in mission and as a warm and supportive congregation. That feeling comes through to them. I have heard people in the community respond differently when I mention St. Andrew’s: “ The Church next to the police station, or the one across from the police station”. (Wouldn’t it be good if the police station became known as the large building just south of St, Andrew’s?); “The church with the nativity closest to the road. I really like that”; “one of the churches who do Bible School”; “the church with the youth program”; “I gave blood there once”; “one of the churches that participates in the ecumenical things, like Thanksgiving and Save a Life”; ‘the church with the popcorn” Those are some of the ways that we are known in the community. These are all positive and we are blessed to be able to expand that as we live in community and with one another. How about our gentleness? Does everyone know our gentleness? --the way we deal with one another and others with a spirit of forbearance and gentleness, mercy and patience? That is one goal we could center on as individuals and as a congregation this year.
St. Paul exhorts us not to be anxious about anything. Of course in church life and life with each other, there may be anxious moments as we become concerned about people, budget, missions, attendance. And often there is concern. But as in personal life, the remedy is similar for congregational life – as Philippians continues:” but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Yes, in care concern or even worry, it is good always for Christians and congregations to pray, give thanks and ask. We should never hesitate to let all of requests be made known to God, whether those requests are for healing, for air conditioning, for roofs, for wisdom or for cash. God wants to hear those things that make us anxious, and God will listen. We do pray with thanksgiving for our budgetary overage this year; we pray for thanksgiving for the coming roof ,the coming youth trip to New Orleans, and for all things in mission for 2012. God is good and God will provide.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understand will keep (guard) your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord” Yes, the peace of God settles on us,. The peace, the confidence, the hope of Christ has been cast over us as we pray, as we center on the person of Jesus and the mission given to us. As we continue in fellowship and service into 2012, St. Andrew’s is blessed with that peace. We can continue to sing and to say “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice”!
Pastor Johnsen |
