Pastor’s Message for July 2021

And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are God’s holy priests, who offer the spiritual sacrifices that please him because of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5, NLT

The spiritual house is being built up of all believers in Christ. Believers are not only the living building blocks in the Church; they are holy priests as well. The significance of the believers in the Church is priceless. The laity is the glue that holds the Church together. As I have now completed two full years at First and one year at Monaca, I am truly grateful for the strength and stamina of the laity at the two churches. It has been an exhausting year for us all, but we have stayed faithful to the Lord and to our brothers and sisters in Christ as we navigate through these times. Now, we must continue to move forward in our quest to be the Church. It will take a more focused effort this year than it has in years past. Spiritual discernment is needed to ascertain how the gifts God has given us can be used for the Kingdom. Now that the restrictions are slowly being lifted, the excitement to hear from God and engage in God’s ministry seems overwhelming. Seek God’s encouragement to engage with our neighbors and model the church we want to see exist in the surrounding communities we serve. God is calling all of us to look within ourselves and use our gifts to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.

Psalm 27:14, NLT

It is important to understand what God is asking for goes well beyond physical labor. The Creator needs your gifts to be used in a way that will benefit your church, your community, and most importantly, your life. Modeling the love of Christ can empower all in three powerful ways. The laity conducts the most important ministry of the church. The pastor is only a small part of what the church can do. The proclamation of the Good News is meaningless if it falls upon deaf ears and unreceptive hearts. The spirit of the believer must be fertile ground where the seed of God’s word can produce fruit. The Almighty counts on all Kingdom children to show others that the church is still a place where love and community exists, and the grace of God is available to all. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we will go forward in love, strength, and power. It is a blessing to be a part of these churches and the ministry being done in the neighborhoods we serve. Let us continue in the ways of Christ and model a Church where Jesus is always present.

God’s Blessings in all we do,
Pastor Ross