Grace Presbyterian Church

1090 N Davis Ave

Weed, CA  96094

Pastor:  Jim Howe

Phone:  (530) 938-4571

Fax:      (530) 938-4571

Email:  gracepc@snowcrest.net

Pastor Jim’s Blog:

http://stateofjeffersonspirituality. blogspot.com

Pastor Jim’s Parish Scroll Message will appear here each month.

February 2010

What Is God Up To?

    All of you who call Community Presbyterian, McCloud or Grace Presbyterian Church, Weed your church home do it for very special reasons.  They came and found God at work in caring people.  They came to hear Christ-centered sermons or to be involved in the work of God in the community with other Christians.  They came and found a people who loved them, as they are, without any strings attached.  What is your reason? How has God touched you?  I think it would be very helpful if you asked someone this question and then shared your reasons.  Listen to one another carefully to find the energy of the Holy Spirit at work in our midst.  Because at the heart of your story and theirs is a narrative that is entangled with what the Holy Spirit is doing among us.  Let’s focus on this positive growth.

     In small churches we often think of what we lack.  As red blooded American’s with our “fix it” mentality we focus a lot of our energy upon our perceived needs and what we wish the elders or pastor would do to get things going as we think.  Your elders and pastor have all seen and worked hard in the past to develop a plan and goals that would make us grow, reach young families, and choose the music that would attract people.  The list could go on.  The problem is always that we differ on what we would like to see happen.  We have differences about the prescription for restored church health. But if we listen to one another, instead of imposing our ideas on one another, we will discover that God is at work in our midst drawing us together.  If we focus more on what God is doing, then the Spirit of Christ can show us a hopeful future.  Church renewal is begun by prayerfully building on our strengths and focusing more on what energizes.

    Your elders and deacons will be meeting in March to begin learning how to listen to and appreciate what God is doing or has done in the past.  As your pastor I have great hopes that if we get in on what God is doing there will be new energy and hope that is contagious.  You have heard me speak about reaching out.  This is crucial to our life together.  Healthy congregations are the ones who have focus in their energy so that they connect with people.  

     So, this month ask the question: “What drew you to this church?”  Listen and then share your own story.  Let’s see what God has done, is doing, and promises to do as we are renewed by the Spirit that is alive among us.  Things are just starting to get exciting.  God is on the move if we pay careful attention.

Blessings!

Pastor Jim Howe