Dear Friends,
It has been a blessed and busy summer at St. Andrew. Though our preschool wasn’t in session and we did scale back on some educational and music ministries, the so-called “summer slump” was barely noticeable.
On the contrary, we held another energetic and Spirit-filled Vacation Bible School, enjoyed a mid-summer benefit concert, sent off a large group to our denomination’s national youth gathering and another individual on a mission trip to Guatemala. Meanwhile, the church felt a bit like a construction site surrounded by cranes, big trucks, and workers crossing paths as the vision of last fall’s Building on Blessings campaign was realized in several ways and continues among us. And in the mist of all of it and more, our vicar reports that attendance at our Friday night bi-lingual service is growing! By God’s grace, your ministry is alive and well to say the least.
As summer turns to fall, our ministries will experience another exciting season of renewal, and work will continue on God’s house. Our prayers will also persist for our vicar, Mengesha Gella, his family, and our congregation in the uncertainties related to their immigration status. And, on a personal note, Patty and I are looking forward with great anticipation to becoming grandparents for the second time as our daughter Andrea and her husband Joel count the remaining weeks to welcome a little brother for their daughter Madison.
Whatever the joys and concerns of your life may be, allow me to remind you that you have a place in God’s household of faith. Like the building itself, our lives are all works in progress. They come with occasional disruptions, unpredictable developments, surprising blessings, and so very much to celebrate. I strongly encourage, invite, and welcome you to be part of all of it and to join your spiritual siblings in faithful worship and service for the good of your soul, the glory of God, and our witness to the world at a critical time in our history.
In another season of transition, I wish you every blessing in Jesus with great thanksgiving for the life we share at St. Andrew, where the mission of our Lord remains alive and well by the grace of God!
The Lord be with you+
In Christ, your brother,
Pastor Mark