Thanks and Best Wishes to a Good Friend

One of the great aspects of Christian ministry is the many different people God places in our lives.  In serving together and alongside one another, we are bonded together in a unique and mysterious way through our common relationship to God and his Son, Jesus Christ.  But as the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is a time and season for everything.  Sadly, one is now coming to an end.

Since my arrival in the fall of 2012, I have had the privilege of serving alongside Tom Brooks in the music department.  As many of you know, he has served the music department for many years before my arrival.  Although I find it difficult to imagine the role of music ministry here without Tom at my side, I am faced with that reality as Tom steps down to pursue the enjoyment of life and his retirement in other areas.  His service to us will be greatly missed.

As we move forward to another day, I trust God will once again place those people in our lives who like Tom, prove for a time to be indispensable. Thank you Tom for the gift of your life first to the Kingdom of God, and secondly to his Church.  May God richly bless you as you move forward into new pursuits beyond the music room files, paper, and computers.

We love you!

A Pastor's Christmas Card...

I have to admit, my Advent preparation has not been what I would like it to be.  Waiting is hard, and current cultural trends bring Christmas forward so fast that I constantly fight the temptation to celebrate it too early.  Christ will come, but for now, we live in the span of time between that first Advent and the second.  I do not want to be like the virgins who thought they were ready for the coming of the bridegroom, but deceived themselves only to find they were without oil.  Are we truly prepared for the coming of a holy, almighty God?  Are we so anxious for the celebration that we are missing something important?  Are we truly prepared?

We've all experienced times when we have performed a special program for Christmas, Easter, or other holiday, but felt ill prepared.  Preparation takes forethought, planning, and sacrifice of time.  Of all appointments we need to prepare for, there is none more important that our reunion with the Savior.

I've been with you a little more than a year now and seen a good choir become even better.  I am confident that as we continually give ourselves over to the Lord's service, learning and growing in excellence, the musical tools we perfect as ministers will be used of the Lord to bring about the preparedness we so desperately need.

May God bless you and your family, and may his presence with and among you give you peace.

Merry Christmas,

Todd