As I sit to write the Pastor’s Peace for the November newsletter, it is only half-way through October. There are a few bold(ish) statements I would like to make in faith:
We did an amazing job selling pumpkins this year! Now I say bold(ish) because I already know that is a true statement. I have already seen and heard of the wonderful ways you all have greeted the community and been a little piece of light in their day. The bold part is that I know you will continue to show great hospitality, and by the end of October, the pumpkins will officially be sold out!
The Building of Faith Loan has officially been paid off! Woohoo!! Praise the Lord! Again, I say bold(ish) because I am making this statement before the fact, trusting that it will happen before November 13th. That’s the bold part. The ‘ish’ part is that it really isn’t that bold of me to state I believe you are a wonderfully faithful people who are generous with your blessings. I have seen this to be true over and over again.
The Haunted House made a great comeback and, in the midst of the scares and frights, the love of Jesus was experienced, and a safe space was offered for people to enjoy Halloween night! Because they experienced the love of Jesus here, they went out and continued to celebrate responsibly. We will see them again and continue to be blessed with the opportunity to plant seeds and grow them!
I think it is a healthy exercise to make these statements of faith. It is one thing to talk about having faith while still being careful to phrase things in such a way where faith really isn’t needed. It is another thing to actually have faith that the goodness of God is alive and real and is being lived out through us in our Sewickley Community and surrounding areas. We are a people who live by faith and not by sight.
Did I spend time in prayer before putting those three statements down? Indeed, I did! Do I have a small bit of apprehension that goes along with putting those statements down? Yes. Faith was never promised to be easy or comfortable. After all, moving mountains is tough business sometimes. Changing hearts, transforming lives, raising money to stay a healthy place with wonderful ministries, and spending money to stay a healthy place with wonderful ministries are all things that take time, energy, and faith.
I want to invite you to make a statement of faith along with me. Where have you felt God calling you to speak life into? What have you felt God nudging you towards? Have you had a vision for our church here at Sewickley UMC? Let’s be bold(ish) together, and let’s claim the promises of God as real for our lives.
From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman