Dear Friends,
There was a time when the months of June through August represented a quiet season in the life of the church. For the most part, that time has passed.
During June we celebrated confirmation, received new members, met our missionary intern, and welcomed hundreds of children to Vacation Bible School. In July, we’ll collect school supplies, open the doors to Jazz Camp, send our teens to the National Youth Gathering, install our new Associate Pastor, and plan for the fall. By August, we’ll be registering the next group of confirmands, and getting the word out about new seasons at Common Ground, Howard County, Kingdom Kids, choirs, and so many other ministries that form our life and witness together.
It is true that there will be more “going out and coming in” during the next several weeks as new people move into the area and visit St. Andrew, others go on vacation, and still others head back to college. But when you are in town, “let us not neglect our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but let us encourage each other all the more!” Hebrews 10:25 Be sure to join your sisters and brothers every Sunday or Monday in the house of your Father at the table of His Son! Take time for rest and refreshment, but keep serving and, if anything, take more time for prayer and the reading of scripture. Don’t get burned out on vacation. In fact, wherever you go, find a church to visit and tell me about it when you get back.
By the time you read these words, Seminarian Gonzalez will be Pastor Gonzalez and, by the end of July, he’ll be ours and we’ll be his as Nick and Lauren arrive in Maryland and unite with us at St. Andrew. Allow me to thank my colleagues on our staff, our church leaders, guest preachers, and so many others who have taken up tasks gladly and ministered boldly so that the cadence of our mission could continue so well throughout our recent Call process. As always, it is a great joy to see you in action! And with you, I look forward to serving throughout the weeks of summer and beyond as we get to know two new servants among us and enjoy the ever exciting adventure of moving the mission of Jesus forward for the spiritual rest, refreshment, and hope of the world.
Pastor Hricko