‘Tis the Season to See the Light

One of my favorite Christmas activities — although we don’t do it as often as we would like — is to visit the various light displays in the tri-state area. There are many fabulous shows in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some are professionally done and charge admission; others can be found at individual homes throughout the community.

Our young neighbors just down the street, for example, construct an intricate web of flashing lights accompanied by Christmas music every year. Other communities have public displays at such places as campgrounds and fairgrounds.

Because of my advancing age and declining dexterity, Sheri opposes any effort that I make to put up outdoor lights because some of it involves climbing on the roof, where one misstep could debilitate the pastor for months. As a result, I am left to observe and enjoy the work of others, which if fine by me.

There’s just something about a dazzling display of lights that lifts one’s spirit, warms one’s heart, and stirs one’s soul. Perhaps the most famous light came from the Christmas Star (a.k.a. the Star of Bethlehem), which revealed the birth of Jesus as
outlined in the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-11). It was then that the wise men saw the light
and were inspired to follow it to meet the newborn Savior. It was then that they proclaimed, “for we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Even in secular conversation, we use the phrase “see the light” to indicate an awakening, an epiphany, or a realization of something we had not seen previously, even though it may have been right in front of us.

Several chapters later in Matthew (4:16) we read that “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” That really refers to all of humankind because each of us at one time lived in darkness, but once we saw the light, everything changed, and the pathway to salvation was revealed.

In the Gospel of John (9:5), a more emphatic truth is disclosed when Jesus says, “while I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” This, of course, begs the question, “When is Jesus in the world and when is he not?” We believe that when he ascended into heaven, he left us in a physical sense, but he remained present with us and in us through the Holy Spirit. The Bible reveals that when the Holy Spirit departs, the world will be tossed into complete chaos until Jesus returns in glory to judge and then to redeem, restore, and bring peace.

With that in mind, it is essential that we continue to seek the light and once we have found it, to never let it out of our sight, for the light symbolizes God, faith, and holiness throughout Scripture. As faithful disciples, we are called on to not only walk in the light but also to reflect the light so that others may see and one day believe.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Generosity Reigns Supreme at Oak Chapel

The gifts are piling up under the Chrismon Tree in the Sanctuary, and Christmas is still two weeks away! How wonderful it is to be associated with such a kind, caring, and compassionate congregation! You have given freely and generously to a young  homeless couple and their two infant children even though you do not know them and probably never will, at least not in this lifetime.

Loving and caring for our neighbors, especially the ones with the greatest need, is perhaps the most basic and essential decrees of Christ’s ministry. There are numerous references throughout Scripture about the importance of looking out for “the least among us,” even before Jesus came into the world.

In Psalm 41:1-3, for example, we read this: “Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies. The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” Clearly, the Lord values those who reach out to and care for the poor.

Elsewhere in Scripture, the Book of Proverbs addresses the issue in several passages, including this stern message from Proverbs 21:13 — “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered,” as well as this encouragement from Proverb 22:9 — “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

Further inspiration comes to us from the Gospels, beginning with Matthew 10:42 where we read, “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward,” and then Luke 21:1-4, which relates a very familiar story: “Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, [then] he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins and said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’”

And finally, there is this from I Timothy 6:17-19, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Indeed, we are advised to put our full faith and trust in the Lord God Almighty, and allow Him to direct us in our generosity toward others, for in this way we will lift up those in need while being richly blessed by the Lord Himself.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

May the Peace of Christ be with You, Today and Always!

As we prepare for the second Sunday of Advent, I invite you to take a few moments from the hustle and bustle of your holiday preparation to rest and relax.

This week, we will light the candle of peace, and let’s face it, we could all use a little more peace in our lives. Much of the stress we experience this time of year is of our own doing. We all make lists — long lists – which include shopping, wrapping, baking, cooking, decorating, and a range of other activities, but I’ll bet very few of us have any notations for “peaceful reflection.” There just isn’t time for that. We simply have too much else to do. Perhaps we can change that way of thinking during this Christmas season. Perhaps we can do less and enjoy it more.

Scripture makes many references to peace and the importance of pursuing it, including the Gospel of John, which reminds us that Jesus in the very foundation of peace when He says, “in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Later we would learn just how costly that peace would be as prophesied in Isaiah 53:5, which states, “[He] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Even before his death. Jesus promoted peace to his disciples — and by extension, his present-day followers — when he said in another passage from John’s Gospel, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This assurance of Christ’s presence serves to bring us peace, especially in troubling and turbulent times.

The Book of Romans drives this point home even further with passages that affirm the importance of establishing a relationship with the Lord. For example, Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” while Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.“

Much of life is fraught with uncertainty and upheaval, which raises the question, “What can we do to bring peace into our world?” The obvious answer is to live a life of righteousness as stated in Isaiah 32:17 – “the effect of righteousness will be peace, and
the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”

What exactly is righteousness? Well, from a spiritual perspective, it can be defined as “acting in accord with divine or moral law, free from guilt or sin, morally right or justifiable.” Most of us seek to follow this directive, although we often fall short. Still,
making the effort is a positive step toward peace.

Moving forward, through the Christmas season and beyond, II Corinthians 13:11 provides this invaluable advice — “Finally, brothers [and sisters], rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of
love and peace will be with you.”

In this, the busiest of all seasons, take time for quiet reflection for it is there that you will find peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Book of Discipline Provides Enlightenment and Inspiration

When it comes to recommending great reads, The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline is unlikely to be found on anybody’s Top 10 list. However, because I am required to have at least some working knowledge of its contents, I can tell you that there is, in fact, great value, wisdom, and even inspiration in the book.

Each year, I have to update my license with the conference, and as part of that process, I am required to submit a variety of assignments and other documents. This year, one of my assignments called for a review of and a response to The Book of Discipline’s stance on the “nature and mission of the church.”

What I found was enlightening and encouraging, beginning with a review of our call as believers, which originates with this fundamental assertion: “The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

We, of course, already know that, but it never hurts to remind ourselves of our primary objective. The book goes on to provide important instruction for us when it states, “local churches and extension ministries of the Church provide the most significant arenas through which disciple-making occurs.” This emphasizes the value of our purpose as a church in the community, and affirms Oak Chapel’s more than 200 years of service in and to the community.

Among other instructions, The Book of Discipline tells us that we are to “proclaim the gospel as we seek, welcome, and gather others into the Body of Christ.” As we know, this is a real challenge, especially these days when church membership and attendance are dropping at a precipitous rate. In order for us to ensure the future of our church, we need to continue reaching out to others, particularly young families, and encourage them to join with us in active membership.

The Book of Discipline further supports this effort by reminding us that “we are called together for worship and fellowship and for the upbuilding of the Christian community. We advocate and work for the unity of the Christian church, and we call all persons into discipleship under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”

Unity is critical to our mission. We need not agree on everything, but we must be committed to one vision “to minister in the world through witness by word and deed in light of the Church’s mission.” Furthermore, it is vital that “the visible church of Christ as a faithful community of persons affirms the worth of all humanity and the value of interrelationship in all of God’s creation.”

Right now, the “visible” church is fading and in danger of one day becoming “invisible,” but we can change that narrative by helping the church to re-emerge as a guidepost for the way we live. All we need to do to bring that to fruition is to “surrender to the Lord, follow His Word, obey His commands, and love our neighbor.”

Love for others commences with spiritual growth in Christ, which is described in The Book of Discipline as “a dynamic process marked by awakening, birth, growth, and maturation,” all of which leads us to “live in active expectancy, faithful in service to God and neighbor, patient in waiting for the fulfillment of God’s universal love, justice, and peace on earth as in heaven.” 

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Lifting Christ’s Name with Praise and Thanksgiving

This weekend, we will celebrate Christ the King Sunday, a sacred but somewhat understated observance in the church. Our Catholic friends often refer to this as the
Feast of Christ the King, or the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the
Universe. Either way, it provides an opportunity for believers of all Christian
denominations to honor Jesus Christ as Lord over all of creation and Savior of all
humankind.

Originally celebrated on the last Sunday in October, it was moved more than 50 years ago to the last Sunday of Ordinary Time, which falls right before Advent. This brings an appropriate conclusion to one liturgical year, and a glorious beginning to another year on the church calendar.

We invite you to join us for this Sacred Sunday service and to enjoy a “feast” afterward as we hold our second Fellowship Dinner following the service. We encourage you, if you are able, to bring a dish (salad, dessert, casserole, or some other item) to share. This is always a favorite event of mine because the food is delicious and the fellowship is delightful.

After the meal, we will decorate the Sanctuary and other parts of the church. This is always a fun activity, and the more people we have, the faster the process goes. Then, the next time we meet will be the first Sunday of Advent, but in between many of us will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Scripture is filled with references about being thankful in both the Old and New Testament, and I would encourage you to reflect on some of these passages or even
share them with others before, during, or after your meal on Thursday (or whenever you
gather for the holiday).

One of the more familiar passages comes to us from the Old Testament Book of Chronicles (16:34), which states, “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love
endures forever.”

Other passages come from the New Testament, including Colossians 4:2, which advises us to “Devote [our]selves to prayer, being watchful and thankful;” II Corinthians 9:11, which says, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God;” and I
Thessalonians 5:16-18, which proclaims, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks
in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“

A spirit of thanksgiving, or an attitude of gratitude, provides physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits for all of us. Psychologists tell us that thankful people are generally happy people.

So be thankful and be happy this week and every week, this day and every day, and because I won’t see you on Thanksgiving, allow me to leave you with these words of encouragement from Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

A very Happy, Healthy, Holy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

How Making and Mixing Candy Can Bring Us Together

If you have not yet had an opportunity to participate in one of our Glass Candy making sessions — or even if you have — please consider joining us on Monday evening for what might be our final gathering this year. 

Our expert “Brewmeister,” Elizabeth Feldman, has been busy all fall, cooking up such delicious flavors as Sassafras, Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemon, Orange, Anise, and everyone’s favorite, Cinnamon, along with a variety of other options, each with its own distinct flavor, fragrance, and color. 

It’s a true group effort as we all come together to cook, cut, cool, and bag the delicious flavors. What I really like is when the various colors are gathered together on a table in Fellowship Hall and then mixed together in a bag. To me, it is so symbolic of how we can all come together — from various racial and ethnic backgrounds with varying religious and political views — and form one united group. 

Scripture provides plenty of guidance when it comes to unity. Perhaps the most notable passage comes from I Corinthians 1:10, in which Paul states, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

We are so much stronger when we work together. It doesn’t mean that we have to agree on everything, but it is important that we find common ground, and we can do that through our faith.

Of course, that can take some work, as we learn from II Corinthians 13:11, which advises us to work on our faith by striving “for full restoration, encouraging one another, be of one mind, live in peace.” When we do so, “the God of love and peace will be with [us].”

Further encouragement comes to us from Ephesians 4:12-13, which tells us that we need not come together on our own, but rather through Christ, who has equipped “his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Working with Christ, in Christ, and through Christ, makes a movement toward unity much more attainable. In fact, without Christ, unity is virtually impossible because the failings of the flesh often rise up and interfere, but as we know from Philippians 4:13, “we can do all [things] through him who gives [us] strength.” And, finally, in Philippians 2:2, we are encouraged to make his “joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Glass-candy making is a wonderful tradition at Oak Chapel, but perhaps the best thing about it is that it brings us together and binds us together, working side-by-side for a common purpose.

Join us on Monday evening for one more night of fun and frivolity, as we make glass candy for the many noble causes supported by our United Methodist Women.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Help Us Help Others Come in from the Cold

I think it’s safe to say that most people don’t like weather extremes. Some prefer warm summer evenings; others enjoy crisp fall mornings; but most of us would choose 72 degrees and bright blue skies over anything else.

Unfortunately, the weather in Ohio does not always cooperate. We climbed into the 90s several times this past summer, causing us to sweat profusely, and we will likely dip below 20 degrees on more than one occasion this winter, leading us to shiver incessantly.

One thing we do know is that frigid temperatures can be dangerous to one’s health. As a result, Oak Chapel is looking to partner with the local volunteers to provide safe shelter in the Salvation Army’s Warming Center this winter. 

When the temperature falls to 20 degrees (or when the wind causes it to feel that cold), the warming center will be open for those who are homeless or are transitioning during the winter months.

Here’s how it works: the shelter will be open on those frigid nights so that anyone without a warm place to stay can find safe and warm accommodations, where they will have access to a hearty meal, a warm shower, and a comfortable cot on which to sleep.

If you would like to assist in this endeavor, the shelter is looking for people to volunteer from 6-10 p.m. on evenings when you are available. You might help with the check-in process, the serving of meals, or simply engage in casual conversation. Who knows, you may lift the spirit of another and even make a new friend in the process. Hired independent contractors will take over to supervise the overnight hours (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.).

If this sounds interesting to you, let Pastor John know, and he will put you in touch with those who are organizing this effort. There will be a training session as well as a background check for all volunteers.

This opportunity ties in nicely with the foundation of our faith. Jesus was very clear about his desire for his disciples (past, present, and future) to look out for those in need. Although he doesn’t mention severe weather in the Gospel of Matthew, he does talk about feeding those who hunger, giving water for those who thirst, offering clothing for those without sufficient protection from the elements, and providing shelter for those in need because when we do this for one of the least his brethren, we do it for Him. What a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord by serving others!

All-Saints Recognition

Just a quick reminder that we will celebrate All-Saints Day this Sunday. If someone you know has entered into eternal rest during the past 12-18 months, we would be happy to honor them during our worship service. 

Many have already responded, but if you have not, please send the person’s name along with date of birth, date of passing, and one sentence about them (e.g. “Tom was a lifelong disciple who served the Lord by serving others through volunteer efforts”) to Pastor John by Saturday at noon. You can send the information via text (330-988-2577) or e-mail (jfinn@wooster.edu).

Fall Back, Sleep In

One more quick reminder! We return to standard time on Sunday, so remember to turn your clocks back one hour.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Lifting the Burden of Sin and Living a Christ-Like Life

Some years ago, when I was working part-time in radio, I struggled with many of the technical aspects of the job, such as how to patch into the network news feed at the top of the hour or how program the automation to keep the station on the air overnight.

I could tell that the program director was becoming frustrated with my failings, but he remained patient and supportive. Finally, after another series of mistakes, I went to him and said that I would understand if he felt it was time to terminate me. He paused for a moment, and said, “No, I can still use you.”

I was both humbled and gratified by his show of support. It strengthened my resolve to reapply myself and do my job better. Eventually, things worked out, and although there would still be some missteps along the way, I gradually became a more competent and capable programmer.

Our faith journey is similar in many respects. We strive to be obedient to God’s Word and to serve him with good intentions, but because of our humanness, we continue to slip up, stumble, and even fall.

Despite our best efforts, we often become discouraged, downtrodden, and eventually defeated. We come before God, as Moses in the desert, to confess our failures, and wonder openly if He would be better off without us.

But God has a much wider vision and a much greater plan for those who wish to serve Him. Sure, we are all flawed in our current state, but He didn’t send His Son to die in vain. He did so, not only to absolve our sins, but also to cleanse and purify us so that we would be prepared for the greater glory He has planned for us.

In the meantime, our enemy is constantly conniving, not only in an effort to lead us into temptation, but also to affirm any thoughts we may have about being beyond redemption. Scripture makes it clear, that Jesus died for ALL people. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready or willing to accept His gift of salvation.

The bottom line is that while we must acknowledge and confess our transgressions, we are not to be weighed down, much less defeated, by them. The process of remorse, repentance, reconciliation, and redemption releases us from the burden of sin. It allows us to move forward and celebrate our life in Christ.

While it is true that temptation and evil lurk around every corner, and that even the most faithful and devout among us fall victim on occasion, we know that Jesus is always with us to give us an out — an escape route — and the encouragement to “sin no more” or at least to ensure that “sin does not reign within us.”

Living a holy and obedient life begins by living in His Word, following His commandments, engaging in worship, and serving others — all of which can be achieved through active involvement in the church.

Even those of us blessed with good physical health occasionally get sick. Likewise, in our spiritual lives, there are moments of “illness” rooted in ill-advised behavior, but we can live healthy spiritual lives by exercising our faith and seeking a remedy when we stumble through the grace and mercy of our great and powerful healer — our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Remember, God still wants to use us to advance His Kingdom here on earth, so always keep these encouraging words from II Timothy 4 in mind, “fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith.”

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Let Us Break Bread Together on Sunday

Having a meal with a friend or colleague can be an enjoyable, uplifting, heartwarming, and even spiritual experience. With that in mind, Oak Chapel will resume its longstanding tradition of monthly Fellowship Dinners this Sunday (Oct. 24), ending an 18-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus.

Why is it important for us to break bread together? Scripture addresses this question in a number of passages, including Acts 2:42-47, which states, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

There’s just something about a hearty meal that reduces stress and produces an atmosphere of goodwill. Such a setting gives us an opportunity to relax, open up, and share our joys and concerns with one another. This creates a bond that strengthens our fellowship with one another and our covenant with the Lord. It engenders empathy and drives our desire to reach out, lift up, and serve others, especially those in need.

Oak Chapel is greatly blessed to have such a kind, caring, and compassionate congregation. It is such an honor and a blessing to serve with fellow disciples who are so sincere and genuine. But, let’s face it, we’ve been out of touch for a while. This Sunday will give us an opportunity to regather and reacquaint ourselves with one another.

If you are unfamiliar with Fellowship Dinners, here’s how they work. Just bring your favorite dish to share (casserole, salad, pasta, dessert, etc.) on Sunday. You can bring it to Fellowship Hall before the service and keep it warm by plugging in your crockpot or placing it in the oven, or keep it cool by placing it in our refrigerator. After the worship service, we will all gather, ask God’s blessing on the food, and partake of a delicious variety of mouth-watering options (United Methodists are such great cooks)! Please bring your own tableware. Beverages will be provided.

Sit wherever you like and with whomever you wish, but please be on the lookout for others who may not have someone to sit with and invite them to your table. This is an all-inclusive, all-welcoming event, and who knows, you just might get to know someone you didn’t know well beforehand.

The Bible reminds us of the importance of physical and spiritual nourishment. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 addresses our physical sustenance with this passage: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil — this is the gift of God.” John 6:51 talks about our spiritual needs with this passage: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

May we all break bread (and a number of other tantalizing dishes) together as we gather for our Fellowship Dinner on Sunday. Please join us!

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John

Bazaar, Glass Candy, Fellowship Dinners, and More

Some things never get old and never go out of style. Case in point: three long-standing traditions here at Oak Chapel — the Fall Bazaar, Glass Candy-Making, and monthly Fellowship Dinners.

These three staples of our church life were a big deal when my family and I attended here some 25 years ago, but they go back much further in our history, and they remain equally relevant and important today.

Why! Well, to begin with, they are unique to the identity of our church; secondly, they bring people into our church; and thirdly, they promote fun and fellowship among members, friends, and guests.

With all of the focus on innovation and change in our world today, isn’t it nice to step back into a simpler, quieter time when life didn’t seem to be quite as fast-paced — a time when we could sit down over a meal with our friends, neighbors, and fellow church members and carry on an engaging conversation in which all parties genuinely listened to and respected one another. Those were the days, my friend.

And those days will continue here at Oak Chapel this coming week as we invite all of you to take a nostalgic stroll down Memory Lane with our Fall Bazaar tomorrow, our third session of Glass Candy-Making on Monday evening, and the first Fellowship Dinner in more than 18 months next Sunday.

The Bazaar, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., provides an opportunity to check out many wonderful crafts and grab some lunch with an old friend, or a new acquaintance to talk about the “good old days” or glance into the future and consider the ways in which we can become a growing and vibrant church once again. Candy-Making continues on Monday night from about 6:30-8:30 (or as long as you are able to stay for an evening of fun and frivolity) when the beauty of the rainbow comes together in a delicious array of Glass Candy. You’ll detect the fragrance of the delicious flavors the moment you enter the church. The Fellowship Dinner will take place on Sunday, Oct. 24. Bring your favorite dish to share and join us as we gather for a hearty meal just after the worship service.

In addition to these three storied traditions, our Sunday School classes are ramping up as well. Our two adult classes have merged and are just getting underway, but you are welcome to join the group any time you are able to make it. We are still working to get a young adult class started. The group, which has no age parameters, will begin after the worship service at about 11:30 and continue until about 12:15. We are also hoping to start classes for children and youth, and we are even kicking around the idea of mini-sessions that would run from 10:00-10:25 for children and young families who operate on a tighter schedule

Oak Chapel has a longstanding reputation for active mission, fellowship, education, and worship, and we welcome you to join us as we return to the days of old. Bring your family and bring your friends as we breathe new life into our church this fall and welcome the beginning of an exciting new phase in our history — one that we can all enjoy and cherish as we make new memories for many years to come.

Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John