Church & Pastor Anniversary

These are profoundly difficult days. There is this feeling of mass displacement at every level of life. We have Ukraine and now Uvalde, where a young gunman walked into a Texas elementary school and killed children who are our future, our most precious possession. We grieve for those families who have suffered loss along with that community, our nation, and even the world.

 

We spend so much time attempting to catch our breath because things that cause suffering happen at such a rapid pace. Yet as children of God, our challenge is to remain faithful to Jesus Christ, who is “…our refuge and strength an ever-present help in times of trouble,” (Ps 46:1). Sometimes we have to be reminded that God is faithful. I find joy in saying that because it is so true, GOD IS FAITHFUL. 

Our faith does not blind us from the facts of current cultural chaos. However, we must remember God called forth creation from chaos (Gn.1).  For 29 years, we have experienced the faithfulness of God at Shalom Church. There have been so many faith-shaping moments where God has revealed God’s self to us.

 

I thank you for being a part of these shared experiences. I thank you for being a part of the journey. Thank you for pushing past stopping points, staying connected, accepting the challenge of balanced living, and most of all, practicing your faith in the context of community. One of the favorite hymns of the Christian Church is Great is Thy Faithfulness. I invite you to revisit these words and rehearse its truth:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

 

Kind Regards,

Pastor Clark