Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, July 1 marks the one year anniversary of our time in ministry together. I thought for this month’s newsletter it might be fun to do an “Oakland UMC Year in Review.” Following are some of the highlights of the last 12 months:
Thank you for participating in the many ministries of our church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness. It has been a joy and a blessing to serve as your pastor this past year. It is hard to put into words how thankful I am for all of you. You have shared the love of Christ with me in so many ways. I thank God for all of you and for the good we have been able to do in Jesus’ name. May God continue to bless our time together as we seek to love God with all of our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
And All God’s Children Said, “Amen.” Pastor Karen
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Hallelujah! Winter is over and Spring has officially begun. Although when we look outside and see the green grass and budding trees we are reminded that Spring came early this year. Actually , Summer came early, too, at least for a few days. Records that had been in place at least 90 years were broken by our extended 80 degrees weather in March. Des Moines’ high temperature reached into the 80s for five consecutive days, and the National Weather Service said it’s the first time that has ever happened in March – in fact, it had never happened for four days in a row before this year. And while it is true there have been a time or two in the past when the snow has reappeared in April, even if that happens, it usually does not stay around too long. Spring is definitely here! We can look forward to all that Spring brings. In fact, as Christians, all of us can look forward to what is to come this month, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Easter is on April 8. Like our unexpected spring/summer like weather in winter, Jesus’ resurrection was unexpected. Even though Jesus told his disciples he would rise again, they did not understand. They were lost and devastated at the time of Jesus’ death. They thought Jesus’ death was the end, the end of Jesus and the end of their hope in a Savior who would save the world. But they were wrong. In fact, the best was yet to come! Jesus triumphed over death and today we worship a Risen Savior! Thanks be to God! Yes, we can all look forward to what is to come! The seasons change, but the promises of God do not. We have the promise of Jesus’ daily presence to comfort and to guide and the promise of eternal life. 1 Peter 1: 3-5 tells us, “What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven.” The Good News is: “We serve a Risen Savior, and He is in the world today!” Have a Blessed Easter! Pastor Karen Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Apostle Paul wrote the following words to the Philippians, Christians who lived in Philippi. “I thank God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the Gospel from the very first day until now!” (Philippians 1:3-5) Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written to the first church that Paul established on European soil, in the Roman province of Macedonia. Because I am not able to write a personal thank you to each of you, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely say “Thank you!” As Paul thanked God for the people of Philippi, I thank God for you. You, too, have helped me in the work of the Gospel from the very first day. You have been supportive, encouraging, and willing to participate in the ministries of our church by your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. You have helped to further God’s work in the church and to reach out to those in need. “For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me.” (Philippians 1:7) Together may we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and continue to reach out to others in God’s love. And All God’s Children said, “Amen.” Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this constantly changing uncertain world that we live in, we need our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In uncertain times, it is good, in fact necessary to remember that the God we worship remains the same. God does not change. Our money says, “In God, We Trust.” This statement is a statement of faith, one we can profess in the good times and the bad. Regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in, God is here with us –loving us, forgiving us, guiding us, caring for us. We serve a God who loves us more than we can even begin to imagine. Psalm 100 instructs us to: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. Know that the Lord is God. It is He that made us, and we are His. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, And his faithfulness to all generations.” Coming before the Lord with thanksgiving is a good thing to do. Someone once told me that grateful people are happy people. And I believe that to be true. Remember the old hymn, “Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One.” Counting our blessings helps us to maintain a positive hopeful outlook on life. As we praise God for all he has done for us and through us, we naturally draw nearer to God, feel more of His presence, more of His peace and joy and grace in our lives. This Thanksgiving Season may we all take the advice of the Psalmist . Let us gather together, as the children of God ,to worship our Lord and Savior and thank God for our many blessings. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. And All God’s Children Said, “Amen!” Pastor Karen Pastor Karen would like to make some home visits. If you would like her to visit you, please call the church office. |
AuthorPastor Kim Dewey Archives
March 2024
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