What joy we have as children of the resurrection that we can declare this glorious truth each and every day, that we can bask in all of the blessings that Christ has poured out to us through our Baptism into His resurrection. I pray that no matter what is currently going on in your life, you can know the peace that passes all human understanding which is ours because of the risen Jesus.
In that joy also, let us give thanks to God who has stirred our hearts to respond to the need of the congregation. In the two months since we had our first meeting in Wylie about the financial situation of Faith, giving has increased to a level that not only would allow Faith in Wylie to pursue independence but even higher so that there is no further strain on the Plano portion of the work program. To God alone be all glory and praise!
Let us keep up the good fight. Let us not grow weary or become complacent. It would be easy (and often does happen) that after the joy of Easter wears off, the school year comes to end, and the summer months begin filled with vacations and such, the church begins to take a back seat and attendance and offerings tend to decrease, which would only wipe away the great progress that has been made.
It has been such a joy to see full pews, to hear the robust singing, and being able to distribute Holy Communion to so many week after week. There is such comfort in the gathering of God’s saints around the good gifts of Christ. It is a wonderful encouragement and opportunity for us to hear and study God’s Word together and to catch up with one another. Our church family is one of the most precious treasures that our Lord grants us in this world. So, my first encouragement is simply to continue to gather to the house of our heavenly Father so that we may be together as a family receiving the gifts of life and salvation from our Savior’s hand.
Second, as you begin to take advantage of the childrens’ freedom and enjoy the summer travel months, don’t withhold your tithes. At all times our giving is to come from our first fruits, not simply our leftovers after we’ve done everything else we want to do. Also, the needs of the church don’t change. Your congregation continues to need your support year-round so that God’s Word may continue to be faithfully preached and taught, your pastor and his family cared for, so that the sick and shut-in may continue to be visited, so that our building may continue to be maintained and repaired as necessary, all so that the Lord’s work of saving sinners may continue day after day. It is a sacrifice, to be sure. It means making hard choices and sometimes depriving ourselves of things so that we may return in faith a portion of the Lord’s gracious gifts which He has given. But you don’t need to worry because your Lord, who didn’t even spare His own Son to save you, will make sure that you have your daily bread.
Thank you. It has been encouraging to see your response of faith as you have heard the need of your parish. May the Lord continue to richly bless our congregation with faith and all that is needed so that the Gospel may go forth into our community unhindered and we may continue to welcome sinners into the fellowship of of the Christian Church.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Pastor Ulmer