Pastor's Message
January 2009
(Letter from Rev. David Hendricks to Charles Kyle, Congregation Council President)
Greetings President Charles Kyle,
Let me begin with the name of the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I also greet you with the kiss of peace.
This has been a far more prayerful consideration for me than many might understand. The challenges and concerns that can come about as a congregation seeks to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit can never be fully comprehended by our human reason or vision. Certainly there will be times of pain and confusion as Emmanuel embarks on a journey that may be unlike anything it has experienced in its history as a community of faith.
There are two readings from our Holy Scripture that I would like to share with you. They have and continue to shape my journey with Christ and my relationship with the Body of Christ. The first is this one:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ All of Moses’ Teachings and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 God’s Word)
The second is:
The Spirit of the Lord is with me. He has anointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has set me to announce forgiveness to the prisoners of sin and the restoring of sight to the blind, to forgive those who have been shattered by sin, to announce the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-16 God’s Word)
I will accept the two year term call to be transformed by the Holy Spirit along with Emmanuel. It will lead us to grow in love for God, for one another, and for the world. Let us pray:
Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us: through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
One of Christ’s servants,
Rev. David A. Hendricks-Child of God