Blue and White Sky Photo Church Anniversary Flyer · 2020. 5. 5. · Director of Business...
3
Pastoral Letter What does your dwelling place look like? Dear Friends, It has been a little over sixty days since the way I minister to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ drastically changed. While the pandemic has presented many challenges, it has also gifted us with the ability to witness the grace and faithfulness in which our Parish lives the message of Jesus Christ. Our Parish Mission statement calls us to center our lives on Jesus, and I find that our Parish is able to do so amidst a global pandemic by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is indeed the Holy Spirit working within us that connects us as a community of faith. In the Gospel of John it says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” If you had to choose a place that the Lord prepares for you, would it be a place you get to using your computer, tablet, or other device to access the internet? Would it be your preference to pray, and hear the word of God using technology? Me neither!
Transcript of Blue and White Sky Photo Church Anniversary Flyer · 2020. 5. 5. · Director of Business...
Pastoral LetterM R . M I C H A E L S P I L L M A N
Sunday, May 10, 2020
What does your dwelling place look like?
Dear Friends, It has been a little over sixty days since the way I minister to myfellow brothers and sisters in Christ drastically changed. Whilethe pandemic has presented many challenges, it has also giftedus with the ability to witness the grace and faithfulness in whichour Parish lives the message of Jesus Christ. Our Parish Missionstatement calls us to center our lives on Jesus, and I find thatour Parish is able to do so amidst a global pandemic by thepower of the Holy Spirit. It is indeed the Holy Spirit workingwithin us that connects us as a community of faith. In the Gospel of John it says, “In my Father’s house there aremany dwelling places.” If you had to choose a place that theLord prepares for you, would it be a place you get to using yourcomputer, tablet, or other device to access the internet? Wouldit be your preference to pray, and hear the word of God usingtechnology? Me neither!
While it may not be the dwelling place we might have chosen,God does work in mysterious ways! In reality, we have beengiven the gift to be able to continue to pray and hear the wordof God proclaimed every day through the power of livestreaming. This gift doesn’t exist simply because we have beenprovided a way to not be disconnected from the Parish, butrather we are able to acknowledge that our dwelling place isn’tabout a place at all. It’s about our relationship with Jesus. “I am the way and the truth and the life,” according to theGospel of John. These words and the entire gospel this weekinvite us to be present in this dynamic relationship with theFather and the Son, as well as God and the Word. While we maynot have chosen the method in which we are living out thatrelationship right now, God has given us the grace to be able tocontinue our faith steadfast of the challenges that our currentenvironment has given us. For me, I have had the opportunity to speak with more of youthan I would normally be able to. I have been able to witnessthe grace of God living in each of us as we faithfully travel thisjourney together. It isn’t easy. It has required change, but it hasalso provided an opportunity to pause and be certain that JesusChrist is the center of my life.
I would like to thank each of you for giving me the gift ofministry. It is indeed a gift to be able to walk this journey offaith with you, and I look forward to being able to see you allon campus again. My prayers are also with all of themothers in our Parish today as they celebrate Mother’sDay. I look forward to continuing to minister to you throughour media ministry, business and stewardship ministry, andin any way I can. Know that you, your family, and all those affected by Covid-19 are in my thoughts and prayers. In Christ, Michael J. SpillmanDirector of Business Administration
