“When I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the Christians, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you – every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him – endless energy, boundless strength!” (Ephesians 1:16-19 – The Message)
 

How wonderful it is to be Zion United Methodist Church’s new Pastor-in-Charge. I am truly grateful to be among you as I take the helm of this wonderful gathering of such capable and loving people.
I am thankful to God and His people at Zion who have made our welcome smooth. I am thankful to God and His people at Zion who have provided food from your gardens and herds. I am thankful to God and His people at Zion for the pointers and gentle corrections I’ve received, and the connections made to our community. And I am truly grateful for those who, despite my newness, have already trusted me to be their pastor.
From your deep legacy as a mission to German Methodists hungering to hear the Word of God’s grace and power - through your times of multi-generational families – and to your being the sustaining center of community and social life – and now God’s summons to a new beginning – you have been and are an amazing church. Your history and reputation are solid, and I give thanks to God for equipping and using you so effectively.
So most of all, I am thankful to God and His people at Zion as we embark upon our shared mission to reach out in grace-imbued love and service by:
1. Staying “with God” through our prayers, our worship, our learning & our Christ centered conversation -
2. So that we will be effectively “for God” in reaching those who don’t yet know God’s love made known in Jesus, who need help in all kinds of ways, and who just need a God-oriented and caring friend.
This is my prayer as we begin our shared journey following Jesus together: “May our LORD Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage [our] hearts and strengthen [us] in every good deed and word.” AMEN!
It’s great to be here and to be your pastor.