Letter to Congregation 07-07-2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
There is a common saying that I heard several times when I was younger that says, “you have to take the bad with the good”. What I did not realize then, that I have come to realize now, is that Jesus teaches this, too. He tells us to walk the way of love, which he warned would not be easy. What this saying means is that we must build resilience and persistence in a world full of sin. Without the bad, we cannot know what is good. As Christians, we must strive to remember to take the bad with the good. If we commit to being resilient and persistent, we will be able to walk the way of love, even in a world bent on hurting others. If you find yourself feeling down by the negativity surrounding you, become resilient by remembering that Jesus knew this was a hard road to walk but, that He walks it beside you. Recalling this will push you to persist in living the way of love.
When we worship, we are responding in praise to all the grace given to us, including Jesus’ promise to walk beside us as we seek to live the way of love. This Sunday, we continue in our 4th phase of in-person hybrid worship. The session will be meeting after church and will continue to discern the next and perhaps final phase of the plan. As you have heard me say, the leadership has made tough decisions that live into our calling to welcome all people. This means we may not like every aspect of the changes, but we accept it out of love and respect for one another. It is a way we live, walking the way of love. I would also encourage you to continue meeting for fellowship outside after church as this, too, is walking the way of love. May we all remember to take the bad with the good by being resilient and persistent as we come together this Sunday for worship and every day.
In His Peace,
Pastor Nicki
*If you are worshiping from home, I would encourage you to use the YouTube platform for optimal streaming quality. Additionally, feel free to sign on early no need to wait right until 10am anymore. *
YouTube: live stream and recording can be found at https://www.espresbyterian.com/worship/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/ESPresbyterian
Facebook: click on the link below near the time the service begins at 10:00am to watch the live stream https://www.facebook.com/espresbyterian/
Additionally, bulletins and an online hymnal have been put on the website and can be found at https://www.espresbyterian.com/worship/sunday-bulletin/
Ways to give– mail or drop of check/cash through no contact mail slot in office window. Drop off envelope in offering plates before or after worship services. Donate on our website by going to the home page at https://www.espresbyterian.com/ and clicking on the Donate button in the upper right corner. Designate where you would like the money to go by using the note section.
