Dear First Pres,

   In the second letter from the Apostle Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy), there is a passage that is familiar to many of us about the way that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16). But Paul actually starts talking about the Scriptures in the verse before. Here are the verses together:

Dear First Pres,

   Happy Veterans Day. If you know someone who served in any branch of our armed forces, I encourage you to send them a note or give them a call today to express your gratitude. And, if you are a Veteran, thank you for your service and sacrifice. We appreciate you.

   Here are a few quick updates on things First Pres:

Dear First Pres,

   What a Sunday! First, our worship services were powerful. I love our liturgy of remembering the saints who have died in the Lord. And I am grateful for the opportunity to remember our heritage each year on Reformation Sunday. I especially enjoyed all the tartan that showed up (even some kilts!). 

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

   My oldest daughter, Kate, is about six weeks into her freshman year of college at Whitworth University. One of the many dynamics of her transition has been trying to figure out what to do for church. So far she’s watched online and visited a few congregations in person, but (reasonably) she hasn’t quite landed with a congregation yet. 

Dear First Pres,

   What a joy it was to launch a refreshed partnership with World Vision on Sunday! Seriously, I am thrilled with your response. We heard from Chad Erlenborn, World Vision Senior Church Advisor, and had the privilege of coming alongside World Vision’s work in Bena Tsemay, Ethiopia. As I said on Sunday, there are about 3500 children that need sponsorship in that relatively new World Vision community. But now, because of your prayerful generosity, there are 102 less. That’s right! On Sunday we sponsored 102 children! Praise be to God! 

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

   FPC’s Vision is to see God’s Kingdom come, more and more, in Fresno as it is in heaven. It might seem far fetched, and in one sense it is. Our city, with all of our issues, is a far cry from everything being just the way King Jesus wants them to be. However, His Kingdom is here, and God is always at work for His eternal purposes. Still, the question is asked, “What could we do that would really make a difference?”

Dear First Pres,
 

   “It’s a crazy, mixed up world.” That’s what my best friend used to say on a regular basis. When he’d see something in the news that was disturbing, when we’d talk about people we couldn’t understand, or when we’d witness one of our friends or family members struggling with the messiness of life, he’d say, “It’s a crazy, mixed up world.”

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