Good morning and God bless you! I greet you as your new Pastor, and praise God for a gracious and cooperative beginning in ministry together. I use Good Morning the way my late father-in-law did: it is not just a time of day, but more importantly a state of mind. I begin with gratitude:
Thank you, Jerry, Jeannette, Jim, Sharon and Bill, for the introductory meeting on June 14.
Thank you, Jerry, Megan, Karen and Maribeth, Jerry and Janet, for welcoming me to the building and office my first week.
Thank you for those who were at breakfast at Kelly's on Wednesday, July 1, my first day on the job.
Thank you, Pastor Mike, for your friendship and role in my ordination 18 years ago at Goodrich Chapel at Albion College.
Thank you, Pastor Chuck, for inviting me to speak about what is now called White Pines UMC (south Rockford new church start) and driving me through the Courtland-Oakfield area after my family and I moved to Rockford in June 2002.
In our first worship service together on July 5 I preached from the Emmaus story in the Gospel of Luke. I am attracted to that story at the beginning of new relationships because it is where we meet...this side of the Resurrection, we are Easter people. We will walk together; be met by the risen Christ but not know it right away; share our stories of hope and disappointment; study Scripture, find our orientation in God's Word; eat together; be surprised by the presence of Christ; have our hearts warmed and ignited and talk with people about it.
I also am attracted to the Emmaus story because it sets the tone and provides a trajectory for the future of our time together; it is a model for the rhythm of worship and a source of Easter hope.
We are on the other side of decisions to make two full-time appointments into half-time appointments. We are in a position to make the most of our time together, talk about the most important things, and take the most fruitful steps forward into God's preferred future for us. I look forward to getting further acquainted.
Peace, Pastor Jeff
