FROM THE PASTOR'S PEN

Dear Saints of God, As we stand at the threshold of change, I want to acknowledge what many of us feel but may hesitate to say aloud: change is uncomfortable. It stirs up uncertainty, challenges our routines, and often brings with it a quiet anxiety that whispers, "I want things to be just as they were" and “What if I’m not ready?” These feelings are not signs of weakness—they are signs of growth. They remind us that we are stepping into something new, something sacred, something that requires courage. In this season, we are being called to reimagine how we serve, how we lead, and how we love. The goal is not simply to do more, but to do what matters most. We are seeking the intersection of our passion, our skills, and our energy—where our God-given gifts meet the real needs of our church and our wider community. This is not a solo journey. It is a collective movement, one that asks each of us to listen deeply to the Spirit and to one another. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, knew the weight of change. Before His ascension, He promised us the Holy Spirit—not as a distant force, but as a present guide, a comforter, and a source of divine assurance. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). We are not navigating this transition alone. The Spirit walks with us, nudging us forward, whispering peace into our fears, and illuminating the path when it feels unclear. Let us not be paralyzed by the discomfort of change but propelled by the hope it carries. Let us trust that God is already at work in the spaces we are being called to enter. And let us remember that transformation—both personal and communal—rarely feels easy, but it always bears fruit.  Starting Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 PM, and for five consecutive Wednesdays, we will gather in Fellowship Hall to discuss Paul Nixon's I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church . The title is intentionally provocative with the goal of stirring conversation. Many have read the book; some are excited, and some are anxious. I encourage all who can, join as many discussions as you are able. Lean into the discomfort. Embrace the questions. And above all, listen for the Spirit’s voice. Together, we will discover new ways to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His love. With faith and anticipation, Pastor Russ

Seasons

Finding Strength and Healing Amid Change

Pentacost

We are an “Easter People!”

We are in a season of transformation.

Dear Saints of God,

Dear Saints of God, There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in situations, made not of our own choosing, but nevertheless calling for our engagement. As members of the Body of Christ, we set Jesus Christ as the Head of the Church and we align ourselves with Christ's mission to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18) As the topic of Mercy is now politically charged, it is important that we engage the discourse adding our voices to the chorus of Christians who understand Jesus' message of mercy. As such, the sign in front of our church now reads: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy.” Matthew 5:7 Some in our church may have concerns, some in our community may take offense, many may feel that the message names what is in their heart and are glad to take a clear and public stand. I appreciate the concerns, and I appreciate the desire to be an active participant in the public discourse, adding a voice of compassion. For those who have concerns, I offer this reflection: Mercy, in and of itself, is intrinsically good and is a core Christian virtue The message on the sign is a direct quote from the Gospel of Matthew Our Biblical narratives are filled with prophets speaking truth to power - think of Moses and Pharoah, Samuel and King David, Jeremiah and Judah, not to mention Jesus Jesus was counter-cultural and political Jesus challenges us when he is quoted saying “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26) We have nothing to be ashamed of when we stand behind and strive to spread Jesus’ words. My hope is that we offer our compassion and mercy even if we do not receive it in kind as we stand courageously together, united in Christ, and living into our own mission statement, “...to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.” May God's blessings flow abundantly this February. May God guard and guide us as we journey through this moment in time together. by Rev. Russ Goliger

Dear Saints of God: The Season of Epiphany extends from January 6th to March 2nd. It is a time when we explore Jesus’ early ministry. We read the familiar stories about Jesus’ baptism, his first miracle at the Wedding in Canna, the start of his ministry when he went back home to Nazareth to proclaim the Good News and was nearly thrown off a cliff, the calling of the first disciples, the Beatitudes, Jesus’ command to love even our enemies, and Jesus’ admonition to avoid judging others lest we be judged. Throughout the Season of Epiphany, we will relate these themes to our revitalization efforts. Along those lines, this will be an exciting season of new beginnings. We will be re-introducing Bible Study on Wednesdays from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Our readings in Bible study will be the readings for the following Sunday. Each meeting will be made available via Zoom, recorded for future viewing, and a written summary will be available. Part of our Bible Study will also include YouTube videos from the “Bible Project”, a wonderful resource that provides context to the historical and literary themes to the readings. We are also introducing a program called “The Theology of Marvels Cinematic Universe” starting in February. It will be a multi-dimensional program that combines movie nights, discussion boards, and group discussions. The program is still under development, so stay tuned. We are introducing a new section called “Deepen Your Faith” into our weekly bulletins. We invite you to take the section home with you to ponder the “Questions for Reflection” throughout the week. There you will also find prayers for the start and end of your day that we invite you to include in your spiritual practice. We are very excited about the simplicity and power of “Realm”, our new church ministry app. A small group has been testing it out and see it has great potential to help us communicate, manage our various committee activities and offerings, and expand our outreach. Over the next few months, we will expand its use. We will do this incrementally in phases. We start with a pilot program where selected members of each committee will receive basic training, test the features, provide feedback, and work together to develop the ways to use it to meet our needs. We will then take baby steps, releasing it to a limited number of new users until we have worked out the bugs and have developed enough expertise to help those who may need help in our final general release. Our goal is to have everyone feeling comfortable, confident, and enjoying its many benefits at some point in time. We understand that with change comes challenges, but with God (and a well-planned phased approach) all things are possible. Again, stay tuned. And so, I encourage you, come to worship and join us as we enter our new ministry led by Jesus as he enters his, join in our new spiritual offerings to deepen your understanding and faith, and get ready to enter the 21st century as we adopt new technology to bring the Good News to God’s beloved. Yours in Christ, by Rev. Russ Goliger