pastor

FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK: As I anticipate September's arrival, I find myself a little more excited than expected. In the wake of the difficult and challenging decisions the congregation was asked to consider and make back in the spring, I began to dread the arrival of the time when those decisions would be acted upon. As that time nears, however, the dread I expected to feel really has been replaced with an excitement I didn't expect. And I can only attribute that pleasant surprise to a sense of renewed joy, harmony, and, expectation I have felt within the congregation.

Throughout the summer I have had the good fortune of watching the work being done in the chancel. I can't help but visit there several times a day and to see so many of our members lending skillful and loving hands to the project, as in some cases their fathers had once done, has been a moving experience for me. I can't wait to see our chancel when the work is done and to lead worship in what I believe will be an even more beautiful sanctuary and one a lot more flexible and functional even as it maintains so much of its original look.

I have also been meeting regularly with Pastor Percy, Hope and Sue to prepare for the various worship services related to the schedule which will begin on September 7th. On that day traditional worship will be offered at 8:15 a.m., a new service entitled "Now the Feast and Celebration" will be offered at 9:45 a.m., and the contemporary worship service will be offered at 11:00 a.m. This schedule will remain in effect until Sunday, November 16th when the contemporary service will begin at 8:15 a.m. and the traditional at 11:00 a.m. "Now the Feast and Celebration" will remain at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday School will always begin at 10:00 a.m.

Basically the times for worship have not changed. They remain as they have been for many years now. All three of the services will also be consistent with the practices of our church relative to the liturgy, and the celebration of the sacrament. The only difference you will notice is in how the music of our worship is presented and led, and I assure you in all sincerity that I have every confidence that no matter which service you choose to attend, you will leave feeling renewed, and refreshed. We are truly blessed to have so many accomplished musicians and vocalists who generously offer their God-given talents to lead us in worship and do so in a way that is inspiring and uplifting.

So please join me in looking forward with eager and joyful excitement to our new worship schedule and to our renewed sanctuary and to all the wonderful experiences we can enjoy together as a result of the opportunities both will afford us for the immediate future and the long-term future as well.

We have so much to be thankful for as God's family here at St. John. We have a rich heritage built on the faith of those who nearly 90 years ago gave our congregation birth. We have the gift of being a congregation that truly cares — for each other and for those in need around us. We have the wondrous joy of seeing so many of our young people grow up in the St. John family, and as a result of what they have felt here and learned here and seen here, have been called into the ordained ministry of the church.

There are few congregations today who can say such things and who would have even more to say as well. So, thanks to God and his love and the inspiration of his Holy Spirit, St. John — and that means YOU — has always been a most blessed place to be and always will be as long as we continue to recognize our oneness in Him, and be cognizant of our mission for Him.

I hope your summer has been a good one, and look forward to sharing the joy and excitement of the weeks ahead with you.

God's peace and blessings,

Pastor Gilroy