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EXPLORE
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“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”
(Read Hebrews 11:1-12:2)
These past few months I have been sharing some thoughts about covenant and the ways we are being called to live together as Christians in this Body of Christ, St. Luke’s. This chapter in Hebrews challenges us to live our faith by looking to the cloud of witnesses that has gone before us and to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Eugene Peterson in The Message says that faith (our trust in God who, though unseen, created what we see) is “the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.”
This chapter in Hebrews calls us to reflect not only on the biblical heroes in the faith, but also on those heroes and heroines who have modeled for us a faith life that reflects their perseverance in living their covenant with God and the church. Who are your faith heroes and heroines? In what ways did they lead you on the path to living your faith?
As we move closer to the celebration of the 267th anniversary of the founding of our church, we continue to remember and give thanks for those heroes in the faith who have gone before as ministers of and to St. Luke’s United Church of Christ. This month let us celebrate the ministries of the following pastors who are among our cloud of witnesses:
Edwin C. Hibshman 1891-1896
Silas L. Messinger, D.D. 1897-1923
Arthur C. Ohl 1923-1953
Jesse W. Deardorff 1953-1959
Richard E. Dettrey 1960-1966
John C. Karrer 1967-1970
We have these ministries before us as models; we have the life of Jesus Christ as our guide. Come join us for worship and times of fellowship as we celebrate our life together as God’s family. Let us continue our journey together to become God’s Church in Trappe – St. Luke’s United Church of Christ!
God’s blessings of joy as we move into the next season of our life together, Pastor Ann
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