"What Happens Now?"
September 2023"
"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV)
Dear Friends,
As we wrap up the Summer by heading with ever-increasing speed into the Fall, we actually have much to look forward to. In lieu of a monthly printed newsletter, which hopefully we will be able to revive at some point in the future, we are publishing all information about the life of our church family on this website, as well as on our Facebook page. Our new Monthly Calendar and Upcoming Events will provide information for our activities, so I encourage you all to check it on a regular basis, especially before the beginning of the following month, to be able to keep up with what we'll be doing. Once we are able to get permission to do so, we will possibly be posting a list of the Worship Assistants for each month.
Though it has been a challenge at times, we have been adjusting, at the appropriate pace, to the changing world and demographic realities we find ourselves in. We also encourage all of you to continue to provide us ideas and suggestions for how we can effectively reach our community and culture. Our journey so far has not been without struggle, or even strife. But, by the grace of God, we are actually now in a much better position than we were before, to be able to grow and move into the next chapter of our church family's history. God has kept us going to this point for a special reason, which is more than simply to survive for another year or two. Which means that God will continue to provide for us financially and materially, just as He has all along. He provided for us during covid and the couple of years afterwards, and He will continue to ensure we have what we need to carry out the special mission to which He has called us.
We may in some ways still be a more traditional small town sort of congregation, but that is actually a great blessing and one which still is attractive in this day and age. There are many in Farmersville, the Valley View and New Lebanon communities, and beyond, who are looking for the unique kind of church family experience we can provide. Being the kind of church we are is actually more appealing to people than we may imagine: there are many who are looking for simple friendship, love, and support, while also desiring the reverent yet easy-going and laid-back worship atmosphere we provide. The fact that we are able to offer a variety of hymns and songs, in a "user-friendly" format for our worship service, is a benefit. We are truly multi-generational, and family-centered, with many families with deep roots in our congregation and community going back generations - yet we are always willing to welcome new members of our community into our church family. There are also many who perhaps are searching for a new church home after having had negative experiences, for whatever reason, in their previous churches - and we can provide a more friendly, accepting kind of church. For those who have suffered a major hardship in life, we can provide a place to be loved, cared for, and supported. For those who are searching for a new and better place, who have suffered and struggled long, we can offer healing and a space of rest. We also, by foregoing political, moral, social, and even theological discussion and debate, offer a place where all may feel welcomed, included, and valued. Most of all, by being a small congregation, we do indeed value and accept each person individually for who they are. New people in recent years have felt welcomed in and accepted right away - and we can certainly continue the great gift of welcoming we have had all along. These are the wonderful gifts we already possess which God has given us, and which we can use to bring new people into our church family and ultimately to a relationship with God.
That is really what we are all about: bringing people to a relationship with God. We can demonstrate how loving, caring, and accepting God is, and help people experience what a true kind of relationship with Him is in that way. This relationship is one which lasts into eternity, as, when we all pass on from this life to the next, we will live with God forever. Let us then continue to be encouraged, look forward with optimism and hope, and even joy, because God has wonderful things planned in store for us, and will continue to help us carry out the plans He has for us, to bring many home to Him.
In Christ,
Pastor Jon Kibler
