Happy Thursday Dear Church!
I hope you are having a splendid week. Thank you to everyone who shared in worship this past Sunday. It turned out to be an eventful day. My sincere apologies to Jim Euphrat, who we had scheduled for the scripture reading, but failed to send him the text and references. MY BAD. Jim is such a wonderful man of faith, and a very committed member of our church, and also serves as our Moderator for 2023.
This coming Sunday we will be continuing in our pre-Lenten study on the UCC Statement of Faith. This week’s entry is:
“You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.”
It appears to be a very heavy statement. I hope you will come worship with us on Sunday, as we unpack this important claim. Again … remember … we “testify to God’s deeds.”
As I look at this day, February 2nd, I am humbled to announce that it is my 10 year Anniversary of my ordination … we, in clergy circles, call this our “ordiversary.” What a ride it has been. CCPUCC is the 3rd church that I have served in my 10 years, with prior calls at Northwest Community Church, UCC in Las Vegas and First Congregational Church of Santa Barbara, UCC. Each call I have accepted has taught me so much about this, “odd and wondrous calling.” As I look back at our three, unusual years together, what I sense I am learning is this: The success of ministry cannot be measured in butts in the pews. HA! That being said, for the past several weeks, our attendance has been up, as well as our committed folks online. God is working some things out and I am very excited about our coming years together.
Until Sunday, know that you are loved by a God, “to whose deeds we testify,” that loves us more than we can possibly imagine. May God’s presence be real in your life the rest of this week. See you Sunday! Oh yeah … I love being your pastor.
Holding you close and lifting you high!
Pastor Greg
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