Grace, mercy, and peace are yours from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ.
To say the least, this summer has been eventful. Kathy continues to recover from the freak accident she suffered in Omaha in June. Yet, she and I count our blessings that it did not end in tragedy. We are most grateful to the Creighton University Medical Center Trauma Center and to the Emmanuel Rehabilitation Hospital.
Certainly, we are grateful to you our church family for your concern and prayers at the time of Kathy’s injury. We all have a tremendous gift in our faith and those who share it in Christ Jesus.
May we always remember God’s Word written in Hebrews, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25-26).
Indeed, let us continue to gather together to share one another’s joys and sorrows, and to encourage one another as the day of our salvation draws near. Let us also stop to count our blessings, they are numerous.
We have a loving congregation complete with a new family with five children! We have been blessed with another couple joining our congregation from Fernley. There will be a Sunday School here for the first time in about five years. The children’s church during worship had about eleven children last Sunday. St. John’s held a Vacation Bible School this past July for the first time in about six years.
Our finances remain sound; there are ample operating funds and there is a sufficient savings account. More importantly, funds are being expended to build up God’s kingdom through ministry and mission efforts locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Yes, as summer turns to fall, this is a good time to count our blessings as individuals and as a congregation. Listen to God’s Word in Acts, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42.) I pray we continue to gather here at St. John’s to hear God’s Word and to partake of the sacraments. They are the greatest blessings we have as God’s people. To God be the glory forever and ever – amen.
Let us bless the Lord for He has blessed us in many ways!