From Pastor Christopher Kurien – September 2019

“I have been praying about reaching more people with the love of Christ in our community.”

Dear Friends,

Greetings to you in our Lord’s name!

The summer season is soon to end. It has been a busy summer for Christy and me with our move to a new home, settling in, and getting to know our new church family.

It has also been a wonderful two months with many of you reaching out to us with your love and appreciation. We have treasured your prayers and support. I have been especially encouraged by your faithful attendance and by the many visitors who’ve worshipped with us in the past weeks. I am also delighted that some are coming back to worship with us regularly.

We thank God for leaders such as Mark Villecco and the Praise Team who do an excellent job leading our Contemporary Worship experiences. We also uplift our youth who had a great experience with the Philadelphia project this summer under the leadership of Kyle Robbins. I am also grateful for the wonderful team of volunteers led by Bev Perella for their excellent work in offering a great VBS ministry to the church family and community. The Mini-Concerts over the summer months have been exceptional. There are many others who have contributed greatly to the life of our congregation and I am grateful to God for you all.

I would like to thank all those who are giving their time, resources, and effort to make this year’s Anniversary Sunday a success. I especially thank Barb Leas and the Nurture Committee for their leadership.

The Rev. Cliff Flick and his wife Wendy Flick will be with us on our Anniversary Sunday, September 15.  Please join us that Sunday for worship, followed by a great picnic and music in the afternoon! We offered special dedication prayers for students and teachers on September 1. I pray for God’s blessings upon our children and teachers and all those involved in education ministry as they start another school year.

In other news, the Pastor’s Office has moved back to the current Library from the second floor of the Church Office building. I truly appreciate the hard work of our Trustees, led by Richard Bashore and Bob McFeaters,  who have helped to make this decision and all the volunteers who have worked along with them to move the office. Jim and Roe Gehman have also helped to paint the walls in the office. Carl Madeira’s meticulousness in caring for our facilities is so valued, and I am grateful. Let me also express my thanks to Marilyn Seiders who coordinates everything with such care in the Church Office. As I write this article sitting in my new office, let me say, everything looks beautiful and thank you everyone for all your great work!  We have so many dedicated volunteers in our church!

I have been praying about reaching more people with the love of Christ in our community. Some of you have invited your friends, neighbors, and relatives to join us for our worship experiences. Sharing God’s love with others in this way will allow us to continue building a wonderful church family. We as a church have shown our radical Christian hospitality to everyone, especially to visitors when they have come to our church. Many who have visited have mentioned to me that we are a welcoming and hospitable congregation. I am so proud to be serving a congregation so committed to radical Christian love!

May God continue to bless us all that we may be a blessing to others.

— Pastor Chris