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!).
Then, our Fall Festival was a hit! Not only were there plenty of wet sponges hitting Pastor Meagan and me in the face, but the event was just a ton of fun. The decorated trunks (impressive); all the volunteers helping with games and food and set-up/tear down; your costumes and participation; the Fresno Fire truck and American Ambulance; the beautiful weather; and our many guests - it was truly a joy! Huge kudos are deserved for the team who made it happen.
And, before Sunday were two great events over the weekend. The Men’s Conference was a tremendous time of encouragement and challenge. I’m so proud of our Men’s Leadership Board and the work they’re doing to lead men more deeply into Christ together. And, on Friday night, was the Pink House Benefit Concert which also went really well.
Praise God! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. This weekend was a blessing to us, our newcomers, and our guests.
In my mind, this weekend was a wonderful representation of who we long to be as a church. We are a church with a long history. We’ve been in Fresno since 1884. But, even more, we’re a congregation that is deeply rooted in a Presbyterian, reformed, evangelical, and missional tradition that is some 500 years old. Yet, we are seeking to live that out in fresh, contextual and faithful ways so that we might experience God’s Kingdom more and more in Fresno as it is in heaven.
So, as the men were encouraged at the Men’s Conference, may we also heed these words from the author of Hebrews: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb. 12:1).
Blessings,
Pastor Jeremy
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