A Pastoral Letter

A Pastoral Letter

On Rally Sunday a few weeks ago, I asked the congregation to imagine what it would be like to receive a letter from Paul written to you, encouraging you, teaching you, and telling you that he was praying for you. Since then, I have been playing with the idea of what such a letter would look like, if I were to write it to you having been your pastor now for about eight and a half years. So, I present to you, perhaps for the first and only time, a reading from First Presbyterians 1:1:

To the saints of the church in Omaha in your 100th year of ministry at 34th and Farnam. I, Jon, write to you with joy in my heart at what you are doing in the name of Christ in Midtown. I give thanks to God for the ways in which he has called you together in unity to proclaim His name throughout the city and the earth.

Since I joined you, I have seen your passion in Omaha for feeding the hungry, visiting (and teaching) the imprisoned, taking care of the sick, clothing the naked, giving drink to those who are thirsty, and welcoming the stranger. Keep up this good work being done in the name of Jesus Christ, but don’t stop with what you have already done, keep finding new ways to honor your calling, using your spiritual gifts and fulfill your call to minister to the ‘least of these’ for in that ministry you are truly welcoming Christ among you.

In the last few months we have sent people to Cambodia and the Philippines, and we prepare to send saints to Jamaica in just a few months. Keep taking the message of Christ oversees, proclaiming hope, grace and peace for all to hear.

Don’t stop there though. In your own lives, may you continue to hear the word of God in new ways. May your study of His unchanging Word reveal new understandings to you that bring excitement and energy in faith. Don’t let your learning ever stop, continue to seek new classes and knowledge of the faith as you worship, celebrate and serve the living God.

Learn, live, and grow in the faith that you have been called to, returning to prayer regularly as you go through life. Know that God will be with you always, just remember to look for Him working in your life and the lives of others, and you will be amazed at His presence, and shored up in the support He offers.

May God’s grace and peace continue to be visible through you as you spread the light of Christ into the world. Be a beacon, and a lighthouse helping others to navigate life and find their way to solid shores through you!   Amen.

In Him,

Pastor Jon