Pastor Craig - July 2019

 JOY –a very glad feeling; happiness great pleasure; delight. Anything causing this feeling; the expression of this feeling; to be full of joy; to make joyful; gladden; to enjoy. So says, Webster’s Dictionary definition of joy. What is yours?

 As I write this, we have just come back from the Synod Assembly. The Assembly is a time to do the necessary “business” of elections, of budgets, of reports from ministries and anything else that is part of the running of the Synod. But more importantly, it is a chance to support one another through the challenges of church and to remind one another in a real way of the hope that we do have through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we need to be reminded of the “Joy” that we have living our lives with the one who loves us unconditionally. Pastor Dan and I are able to share the true “joy” that comes from serving our Lord, at Mount Zion.

 On July 22-26th, we will be celebrating “Joy” at Mount Zion by having our Vacation Bible School. Our theme is “Shipwrecked; Rescued By Jesus”. Thank you already for those who have come to me and volunteered. Let me just say, it is fun. If you are bored that week or need just a dose of “joy” come through the church any evening that week and you will see kids celebrating and knowing that this is a place where they belong. For some of these kids, they have been coming for years and have grown up knowing how we do VBS here. It was not intended to be a big deal, but the kids come to me and ask “Where are we doing rocks this year?” They care about this church because it is theirs and they want to make a difference.

 The feeling and message of “Joy” is not limited to Christmas Carols. It is a state of mind in knowing the promise that we have as children of God have. When we gather as church, there is a sense of “joy” and happiness that comes as we enter into this place. We all know our troubles and our fears, our illnesses and our anxieties, and the challenges that we face. Yet, when we approach the church building, see that coffee pot, and enter the doors and are greeted with a handshake and a bulletin the “world” seems to fall away and we are able to see the “joy” of a Christian community.

 My prayer always is that we can approach life as joy-filled not joy-less people. I believe our God wants us to appreciate and celebrate the creation that he has given to us. To recognize and revel in that we are a forgiven people and in that mode to share and support one another through those challenging times that we all face.

 May you always know the “JOY”, which has given you.

  In Christ,

  Pastor Craig