Dear Church Family,
“Alleluia! God is good all the time! All the time God is good!” We surely say that as we reflect back on our 25th Anniversary Celebration with Bishop Mark and all of you as we humbly gave thanks that we were able to be Church for 25 years. In a way, we were as Jesus said to Peter, “Rock”. We were steady, steadfast and we didn’t let up. We have had Wellston Center for over 25 years, St. Vincent DePaul for over 25 years, Fr. Bob’s Outreach for over 25 years, Warm Meals for over 25 years and many other things through all this time. So we have touched the hurting world in little ways and we want to do it even more graciously and abundantly in the future. We want to consider everybody that we touch as though they were Jesus, Himself. That allows our hospitality to go off the scale. Not only do we want to touch churches of other backgrounds but also our neighbors and those that come to us from off the street. We are Church and in a way, we take up our cross and follow the Lord. We lose our lives in a way to gain our lives and eternal salvation.
After this glorious celebration, we went and had a party to beat all parties. I was so humbled by all the blessings we have been able to do with the help of the Lord and one another. All this is done in the name of the Lord. So Church, enjoy this milestone and let it inspire you to love, give and share all the more. Alleluia!
Today Church, in the words that are so humbling for all of us that we must take up our cross and follow the Lord. What a haunting prayer, “Take up our Cross and follow the Lord!” Keep it up Church no matter what. I’m often mystified by this passage which is one of my favorites. It is always so hard to do this as a disciple and follower of the Lord. Jesus tells us to “Take up our Crosses and follow Him. If we lose our lives to Him, we will gain it” and it’s the only way to go. “For what profit is there for one to gain the whole world and to forfeit his life.”
Church Family, we begin our second twenty-five years with a hopefulness that will stay the course. It’s the only way to go. So, Church Family, let us begin anew, fortified with knowing that we have been so blessed. Alleluia! Amen.
Love, Fr. Bob
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