“Be Strong And Courageous.”

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Soon after Moses died, the people of Israel were standing on the eastern bank of the Jordan River and looking across to the Promised Land. It had taken them forty years to get there. Moses had faithfully led them through many dangers in the desert wilderness, and now he was gone. But God did not leave them without a leader.

The Lord called Joshua, the assistant of Moses, to lead them across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. But before they wadded into the water, God told Joshua three time to be strong and courageous. And God reminded Joshua three times that He would be with him and the people, no matter what.

This Friday we will have an opportunity to reflect on how God has blessed us in 2024. And we will be encouraged to see how God will enable us to be a blessing to others in 2025. Our Annual Congregational Dinner will start at 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall and our Annual Congregational Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary.

If you are planning on attending the dinner, please RSVP to rebecca@gmpc.org so we can plan accordingly.  If your last name begins with A-I please bring a salad, if J-R bring a side dish, if S-Z bring a dessert. The meat for the dinner will be provided. 

During the meeting, we will fill vacancies on the Session, Board of Deacons, and the Church Nominating Committee. We will also review the 2024 Annual Report and the 2025 General Fund Budget. All of this will be done in the context of a worship service with singing, Scripture readings, and a video presentation of the past year. Childcare will be provided during the meeting.

I hope you will come and see that the Lord has blessed His ministries here at GMPC. Worship attendance, membership, and financial resources have all increased. The needy members of our military are being cared for. People are giving their hearts to Jesus. The grieving are being comforted. Shut-ins are receiving visits, flowers, and communion in their homes. Our prayer ministries are flourishing. Our mission outreach has expanded to new places in the world. Young families are receiving loving welcomes. Children are growing in their faith. Students are finding hope during a confusing time in their lives. People are discovering how good it is to be a part of the Lord’s Kingdom.  

So, be strong and courageous. God really is with us, no matter what.

In Christ,

Pastor David