Dear Caldwell,
As I write, North Korea is rattling its saber louder and louder, ‘sequestration’ indecision is resulting in real cuts in human services and South Dakota has passed a law permitting teachers to wear guns in class. Yet our Lord says, “Be not afraid.”
By one count, that phrase is the most often-repeated phrase in scripture. Still, we might say back to God: “Well, that’s easy for you to say. Have you taken a look around your word lately?”
On Sunday, we welcome Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow (see the box), a man who is no stranger to the world’s tumult (he has spent this week in New York at a meeting of the UN Commission as the Status of Women).
Bruce is also well-versed in the great questions facing the future of God’s church that we have been pondering these last few weeks. Into all that, Bruce will preach a sermon titled “Birthing the Unknown,” based in part on Matthew 14:22-33 (the story of Peter nervously stepping out onto the water).
First, though, at 9:45 Sunday in Fellowship Hall, we have a chance to talk informally with Bruce. This takes the place of regular Sunday school.
Sunday is a ‘red-letter’ day for the added reason that we welcome Anne Hunter-Eidson as our Music Director. Please welcome her into the Caldwell family. You can read more about her here:
http://www.caldwellpresby.org/docs/resources/AHEbio.pdf
Sunday night, the Caldwell youth are invited to the home of Caroline and Joe Lublinkhof for a game night at 6 pm.
Earlier this week, Presbyterian leaders from across the nation gathered in Charlotte to ask “What’s Next” for our denomination. Several of us, including our great choir, were invited to share the Caldwell resurrection story.
As we continue to ask ourselves ‘what’s next’ here at Caldwell, I am reminded that, as one conference speaker said, “There is no such thing as a passive Christian.” In other words, we are to be active as the body of Christ.
I am grateful for how so many of you are active in our ministries every day. As we continue to ‘wade into the water’ of God’s will for us, let us also remember God’s abiding reassurance: “Be not afraid.”
See you Sunday.
In Christ,
John