Peter's Message
Dear Friends,

By the grace of God,
we are a Christian community of people who
seek intergenerational fellowship,
find spiritual truth,
and respond in joyous service
in Jesus' name.

            Our church vision statement says important things. We are a community, thanks to God’s grace. We are a Christian community, one formed around a shared faith in a loving Savior. We are people who seek. We are not passive in our faith; our faith creates in us a desire to be in relationship with others. We value intergenerational community and recognize that this is a rare and precious gift. As people who seek we also find. God leads us in the Word and in the world with insight, understanding, meaning, and purpose. We do not seek in vain.

            Recently the last line of the statement has been speaking to us -- even more than when we wrote it in 2005. We’re discovering that our service is not only a response to faith, our service deepens faith. We receive as well as give when we put our faith to work.

            Kevin Ford, in a book the session is reading for its April 30-May 2 retreat, puts it this way: “Paradoxically, the turn away from self makes people more content and energized in their churches.” I wonder if it’s the same paradox Jesus offers when he says “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

            All this points to the work of our Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. They will be seeking a pastor for our staff team who has -- among other strengths -- desire, leadership, and skill for joyous service.  Considering how involved many of you are in the church and the community, you know how to pray for the APNC. Thank you for your continued prayers for their important work.

I imagine that one of the traits they’ll be looking for in a good candidate is one you know a lot about: joy.

Grace and peace,

Peter

Presbyterian Women's Dinner Meeting Features Charmaine Nelson and Her Report on the Rafiki School
On Friday, April 9th, the Presbyterian Women were very pleased to hear from Charmaine Nelson about her experiences in working with the Rafiki School in Liberia. For information on how you can participate in PW events, please contact Juleine.
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Congregational Meeting Elects Elders and Deacons
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Peter Delivers the Children's Sermon to an Audience of Thousands!
On Sunday, April 25, the children who usually attend the first part of the Contemporary Service at 9 am were joined by a number of children who are enrolled in our Early Childhood Center. We welcome these guests (and their parents!) and hope they found something worth returning for.

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