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April 2024 Worship Assistants

3/30/2024

Sunday, April 7
Greeter: Tarynn Booker
Reader: Jackie Kuntz
Communion Assistant: Debbie S. & Sharann R.
Counters: Needed

Sunday, April 14
Greeter: EJ & Erin Gonser
Reader: Rachel Delamater
Communion Assistant: Heidi C. & Carol J.
Counters: Needed

Sunday, April 21
Greeter: Walt Dryden
Reader: Vic Ball
Communion Assistant: Debbie S. & Sharann R.
Counters: Needed

Sunday, April 28
Greeter: Patty & Keith Grover
Reader: Patty Grover
Communion Assistant: Heidi C. & Carol J.
Counters: Needed

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Pastor Jamie's April Article

3/30/2024

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Drake’s 12th birthday is a month away. It means that I have precious little time left before I’m the father of a teenager. I honestly can’t believe that the time has passed so quickly. It seems like only the other day that he needed me for everything. Now each day makes it clearer that he’s growing up. I know that a parent’s job is never truly over and that no matter the age kids still need their parents. The relationship changes though it becomes more about support, guidance and someone to share the joys and sorrows of life with. It sure was easier when the tragedy of the day was that he couldn’t work the tv remote and he saw me as a hero because I could chop up a hot dog for him. I feel as though I’m on the base of a hill. I haven't started up but I can see the path ahead, he hasn’t begun those teenage and adult challenges but they are inevitable and close at hand. I imagine it's how the prophet Isaiah felt.

Isaiah lived around 700 years before Jesus was born. The nation of Israel had split in two. Israel in the north and Judah in the south including the great city of Jerusalem. The northern kingdom had drifted away from their faith in God, sided with the Assyrian empire and had consequently been conquered by the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians, who had much more economic and military strength than the Kingdom of Judah, were threatening to move south and sack Jerusalem as they had the northern kingdom of the Jews. Isaiah was preparing people for that. For the frightening times that lay ahead. He was encouraging them to keep the faith, to rely on God and when the struggles came God would be by their side and support them. That after the challenges God would lift his people up once again. Isaiah was looking ahead and preparing himself and God’s people for the challenges that were sure to come. But he also promised them Victory in God at the end of the struggles.

Isaiah 12
In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a]; he has become my salvation.” 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

Throughout the challenges and changing seasons of life God is there for us. Like the needs a child has for their parent change so do our needs change. But just as the parent does their best to continue to be there for their child, so too does God stand by us and our changing needs. What’s more is that though parents are flawed and limited, God is perfect. His love stands with us without blemish through all that life has to offer.

Peace,
Pastor Jamie

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April 2024 Worship Assistants

Pastor Jamie's April Article

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