Things
are starting to wake up as the rhythms of the New Year settle in and Spring
approaches. The High Desert Food and Farm Alliance reached out to us again and
we are planning to work with their Seed to Supper Program and Cooking Matters
programs in conjunction with Redemption House homeless shelter.
Crook
County Connect and Beyond is gearing up for another day of providing services
to those living on the edges of society.
Something
to add to this year? Minor construction to the church as we add a sidewalk
straight out the doors and across the grass to the parking lot. We will also
add a 12’ x 12’ Peace Pole patio. And the best part is we received a Barnabas Grant
from the Presbytery of the Cascades to pay for this!
The
Fund is named for Barnabas in the New Testament whose name means “son of
encouragement.” He appears three times in the Acts of the Apostle, always in a supportive role.
In the
Bible we find that peace is a common
theme in Paul’s letters as he begins his writings by offering grace and peace
to the reader. We talked about this “peace” a few weeks ago as a part of our Disciple
Bible study series.
The
lesson said “Peace is that vibrant shalom
that rings with harmony – being one with God, with neighbor, and with self. The
entire universe is groaning for the peace that characterized creation on the seventh
day but desecrated by the disobedience of humankind. Peace through Christ and
his indwelling Spirit gives assurance to every Christian that all is well. Love
casts out fear and brings perfect peace.”
I hope
this peace pole does more than just attract attention. I want it to be a spark
that gets each of us talking to everybody else about this perfect peace we know
in Jesus Christ.
Together
We Serve,
Pastor Mike