At last! I am the pastor of St. James Presbyterian Church, and life could not be better. Since the presbytery, congregation and I discerned this call this spring, I have been giving thanks every morning for the opportunity to serve this open-hearted and mission-minded church.
Thanks to all who have actively participated in the discernment of this call. Yesterday, my cup ran over as I began leading worship at St. James. The vibe of this gathering was wonderfully festive and filled with good cheer. I am grateful to be serving a congregation where laughter and love are both expected and encouraged!
The first sermon series that I am preaching at St. James is called Now, What?, because I am sure that this question is one that is on everybody’s mind. Now that we have discerned this call, what is next for us as an ever-evolving community of faith?
Since my first conversation with members of this church, it has been obvious to me that St. James is an action-oriented congregation, and the actions—the verbs—on which we will be focusing in these sermons, to which I am affectionately referring as the first five, are: 1) welcome 2) forgive 3) proclaim 4) celebrate 5) go.
Between the first and second Sunday of my call to St. James, Vacation Bible School will be in session Tuesday, June 20-Thursday, June 22, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Please encourage your children, your neighbors’ children and all of God’s children to actively participate as we strive to be welcoming to all whom God gathers to worship with us at St. James.
