Let’s all take a collective breath together. It has officially been 1 year since I was called as your Pastor. Yes, I am also in shock of how fast and unexpected this past year has been. I want to use my article this month to express not only the love I have for you all but for reflection. It would be inappropriate to go on any more without first thanking God. God has been so faithful this year. God has continually knit us together as a community. We have learned not only about each other but the God we serve. I imagine that God had a nice laugh when God put the Marshall Family and First Baptist Church Lincoln together. I know in God’s wisdom and the faithful reliance on the Holy Spirit by the congregation God knew this would be fun for us. This week, I’m reflecting on the times when the Holy Spirit showed up in worship, conversations, isolation, frustration, joyful occasions, and our Zoom meetings. (It’s funny to think that about half of my time with you all has been virtual on some level.) Yet, God has been in it all helping us to step outside of our comfort zones and safety nets. Join me as we celebrate God’s plan for our community of faith. There is a reason that God has allowed FBCL to be in ministry for 150 –151 years now! We cannot lose our awe at God’s provision. We must also stay focused on Jesus Christ and the Spirit’s leading of our congregation. In a year’s time so little has been done and so much is still asked of us as we live into the Kingdom of God here on earth. Be encouraged. Be challenged. Be attentive to the voice of God. Be a community. Be careful to love thy neighbor (even during election season).
As promised, I want to express my care for each of you. Thank you for being willing to take me as I am and celebrating in the journey along the way. I am truly grateful to be able to do ministry alongside and with y’all. Your flexibility during this pandemic and willingness to learn new things isoutstanding. We are not out of the woods with that pandemic and the way we do worship. However, God has been with us. Together, we can weather the storms of life and the high waves. Your kindness, love, prayers, and participation mean the world to me. Last October, in my first Tower article, I shared Acts 2: :24-47:
“42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
May we continue to do just that. Let us study God’s Word, fellowship in laugher and tears, break bread at the Lord’s table and in Fellowship Hall and continue to pray for and with one another. I love being your Pastor. Thanks for having me this past year. I look forward to what God has for us. There is definitely a smile under my mask!
Thank you, Austin Marshall, for being the first and best Pastor’s Husband!
Thank you to, Carol Tucker, for helping with crucial everyday affairs of the congregation. You are the BEST!
Thank you to the Moderator and CLC. It has been a delight to gather each month to talk about the Kingdom and administrative work.
Thank you to the praise band and sound engineers for helping lead in worship.
Thank you to all of you for being you! You are loved!