FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK:

My Brothers and Sisters:

In this tangled, jangled and confuse generation people often ask, “What is the church? What is its role? What are its values? Neil Wyrick give us some of the answers in “I Am the Church”:

I Am the Church. I am high on a lofty hill, I am lovingly held in the soft curve of the green of the valley. I am caught on the brim of a deep blue lake. I am within sight of the shifting sands of the sea. My home is everywhere, and yet... my real true home is in the heart of the human beings.

I Am the Church. I am grey with the dust of a hundred years beneath my feet. I am white with the new look of completion. I am ageless in my stucco, my brick, my wooden frame.

I Am the Church. I hold the lives of old and young. I make friends and see them marry, and see them die, and find new friends of faith to fill the gap. Glad songs ring through my rafters toward the sky. Prayers bow the heads of those within my walls. God’s words echo through me with the wisdom of eternity.

I Am the Church. A friend to those alone. An outstretched hand to those in pain. An ever present help in time of need.

I Am the Church. I am not perfect. For though I represent a perfect God, my reins are held by imperfect men and women. But still my great steeples point to heaven. My crosses point to eternity. And the message preached to my people points to salvation. My efforts are not in vain; for sometimes one person enters my doors and a “new person” later leaves.

I Am the Church. I am glad of my heritage. Humble before my responsibility. And with a great hope and love for all human beings.

Remember You are the Church and God expects a lot from you. My time with you has come to an end, and as I say the benediction on Easter Sunday and give my last hugs and kisses this chapter in my life and yours closes. I am not saying Good Bye because you never know how our lives can turn, it is just a farewell. And like my Aunt Ocilia says: We will see you in heaven.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

Pastor Dora