God’s divine power has given to us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing him (2 Peter 1:3)! Consider that for a moment. Knowing God is everything we need for life and godliness. Knowing God is what we truly need more than anything else. Paul said, “that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10). Oh, that we may know that the only thing we need to know is Him!
But you do know Him, don’t you. You’ve known His presence these past 15 months, and you’ll continue to know it even as the world spins faster out of control. You’ve known His Word in times when you didn’t feel His presence, and that has held you through. What an honor to be able to simply take Him at His Word.
Meryl Poynter said a good word at her brother’s funeral last night. I was proud of her. I was also proud when she told me that “my church” came to see her during the visitation. GREAT job, church! You can read Terry Jakushevich’s obituary here.
Reach out also to Christine, Len, and Rebecca Schweitzer as they mourn the loss of Christine’s brother, Terry. (Ironically, both men connected to our church that passed from COVID are named Terry.) Terry Nalian’s obituary is here. Terry Nalian’s funeral is private, but the visitation on Wednesday from 2-8 is open to the public.
Tomorrow night we have a quarterly Member’s Meeting at 7. You new members, get there! (You “old” members, too!) Yes, you can participate via zoom. It begins at 7pm. We’ll hear updates from various ministries, hear information from the trustees, some plans for the future, and important updates about member care, among other things. If you’re not a member, you can attend, but please refrain from voting. If you’re interested in membership, plan on attending a class this summer called “Membership Matters.”
As COVID rages in Michigan right now, keep doing the things the CDC recommends that don’t contradict God’s Word. Many of you have been vaccinated at least in part. Read the CDC’s recommendations for what to do when you’ve been fully vaccinated here. The only thing they recommend that contradicts God’s Word is gathering in person (see Hebrews 10:25). We will keep gathering as God tells us. The only exception is if you have COVID or have been exposed to someone with it. In that case, you need to quarantine.
Who in our church family does the Lord want you to reach out to this week? Someone to encourage? Someone to pray with over the phone? Someone to have coffee with to read a chapter and discuss? Someone to invite over for dinner? Look at the contact list here and prayerfully reach out.
Do you want to know what would give me so much joy as your pastor? I would be beyond thrilled in the Lord if prayer and the Word were things we incorporated into every part of our lives and not just things we did in designated segments of it. If I overheard some of you talking about God and His Word after service Sunday, for example—WOW would that thrill my heart! Or if a few of you gathered in a 6ft-huddle and prayed for a brother or sister as they come up in conversation because of a trial they’re going through. What would happen in our church if prayer and speaking God’s Word wasn’t just something we do in scheduled times? How do you initiate that when in a normal conversation? Just say these phrases: “Let’s pray about that right now.” “That’s just like it says in God’s Word when He said . . .”
Saints, you are dearly loved. I am so proud of you—of who you are in Christ, of being your pastor, of who you will one day soon become.
Finish the phrase: “Rejoice in the Lord ___________. Again I say, rejoice!“
Pastor Jacob
Pastor Jacob’s Blog 