Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.— Psalm 37: 23-24 NRSV

I had to go back in the session minutes to confirm it, but it’s been about a year. We held an emergency session meeting on Sunday, March 15, 2020, adopting a “watch and see” approach to the newly emerging pandemic then sweeping Italy. By Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the session had voted to suspend in-person worship for a few weeks in light of our national emergency. None of us expected what came next.

As the pastor struggling to lead the church through this period, I have so often felt like an utter failure. Are we getting the mix of caution with faithfulness right? Am I allowing myself or the session to succumb to fear? Are we not being fearful enough? Am I doing enough to stay connected with everyone? Are we, as a community, doing enough? I could go on and on with the list of problems, deficiencies, doubts, and uncertainties that have swept through my heart and mind for the past 12 months. Suffice it to say, this whole adventure as a church has felt for me, and for the staff at times, like an exercise in stumbling and falling headlong, to use the imagery of the Psalmist.

And in the questions, doubts, fears, and uncertainties, it is easy to lose sight of what the Psalmist tells us clearly, that “the Lord holds us by the hand.” If there were sometimes failures, my own was in not following my own advice, given weekly. I was busy trusting in myself and not in the Lord.

About a month ago, our staff got together to plan much of the year, and we spent a long time reviewing all of this, where we were, and where we are. In the middle of that discussion, we began making a list of all the things God had done for us over such a challenging year. We were amazed. In fact, this list was jaw-dropping, and I had to share it with you. The following achievements are not in order of importance but as they came out of our mouths:

“In the past year, God has allowed us to:

"Organize a churchwide retreat at Doe River, complete with baptisms; create and build out the 11:00 livestream; greatly improve our 9:00 livestream capability; livestream large funerals and other events that some could not have participated in otherwise; conduct three large, socially distanced funerals without community spread; hold a community-wide vigil for one of our families and THS, and minister to our community; build and install a blessing box (Logan’s box); complete the tech/acoustical overhaul in the sanctuary, including a sound booth—people can hear the spoken word, all of it completely paid for by the generosity of a donor; greatly improve our use of social media, with attending efficiencies; bring Boys & Girls Club back to FPC; have service every week since the pandemic began, with no community spread arising from our gatherings; enjoy the mixture of staff and volunteers from both services, especially the blessing of Chris, Bob, Mary Ellis, Dan, Logan, Ginny, Geneva, Audrey, Katie, and more; have staff join and serve the BTCS system and help as substitutes; conduct a hybrid VBS; have kids’ Sunday School, with delivery of child activities; build an outdoor shelter; use our property for mission and outreach in new and exciting ways; do an excellent, online Christmas Eve service unparalleled in our area; save money by staff closely guarding budget expenditures; exceed budget goals as people gave faithfully; work on and finish our Director of Contemporary Worship and Campus Mission Coordinator search process, complete with calling Jerry; work on and begin searching for a Pastoral Resident; keep singing as a congregation; grow numerically, fiscally, and spiritually during this time; buy a new keyboard for the 9:00 service; create and develop the Home Groups program; organize responder groups to call and reach out to folks; reopen and keep open the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry; do ministry outside the box; send direct food relief for local and international ministry partners, many of whose daily bread depended on God’s work through us; finish the mission wall; work on establishing (nearing completion) of an endowment at the church; learn how to use technology more efficiently; work from home, when necessary, and do it well; have Stephen Wagner as an intern; enable Lilly to conduct live, online connections with kids, such as Lunch with Lilly; know where everyone lives through the delivery program.”

As I was typing out that list, I could think of a few more things I could have added. Nonetheless, it is amazing that we could come up with a list like that in just 15 minutes. What’s even more amazing is that all of it, every ounce, is the result of God’s Spirit working in and among us. All of us.

I’m not going to conclude here by saying that the past year has been easy, or enjoyable, or that we haven’t all suffered a great deal. However, I think it is best to conclude with the words of the Psalmist: “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way.” God has been so good to us, and I think it is evidence of God’s love and the joy he takes in our being a church that works in his name. That isn’t to say we are perfect; far from it. Nevertheless, our steps have been made firm by the Lord, and they will continue to be as we respond to the leading of his Spirit.

In Christ,

Pastor Sam

9:00: In person: 93;

11:00: In person: 55;

This Sunday night, 2:00 will magically become 3:00. It will happen in the blink of an eye, but it will take about a week to adjust to. (Talk about return on investment!) It will make us ask ourselves why we have been longing for spring. Formal studies have shown that it can make even the graceful clumsy. Informal observation has shown that it can make even the temperate irritable. Before we retire on Saturday night, let us set forward one hour any clock that doesn’t reset automatically. As we drag ourselves out of bed an hour earlier on Sunday, let us "mind how we go." Yawwwwwn!

Easter arrives April 4, and we are longing for lilies. Let’s give them in honor or in memory of those we love and appreciate, to adorn our worship spaces for our Easter services. Giving lilies to be placed in the sanctuary or Fellowship Hall is a wonderful way to celebrate the resurrection of the One who gives meaning to our lives. To order one or more lily plants, either fill in the form you will find at the church and return it to the office or order and pay online. Each plant costs $15. The deadline for ordering is Monday, March 29.

Ron Grubbs: to the Minister’s Discretionary Education Fund from Dale & Molly Keller

David Mott (brother of Betsy Galliher): to the Technology Fund from Jim Daniel