Celebrating the Body of Christ
God has put the body together… so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
-I Corinthians 12:24-27
Through our baptism we are made one in the family of God. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that they were now the body of Christ and “should have equal concern for each other”. We have been through a great deal of trial over the past five years and God has been faithful to lead us, heal our hurts, and restore relationships through it all. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! This Sunday, we will share our 2024 Annual Reports in a creative way by holding an “awards ceremony” (think Academy Awards show).
My prayer is that this Annual Meeting of the Congregation will give us an opportunity to truly celebrate with the Body of Christ here at Kennewick First Presbyterian the incredible work God is doing through our members. My star words this year (I grabbed two inadvertently) are “Rejoice” and “Gladness”. They are fitting for giving God the honor, glory, and praise for our work here in Kennewick and across the world. I pray that you are encouraged as you read through the annual reports in this newsletter.
I hope that you will take the time to join us this Sunday for our combined worship service at 10am and then celebrate with us at our Congregational Meeting in the First Pres Center at 11am. We will enjoy a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for our Girl Scout Troop and share the good work of God in our church. We will also elect new members to the Nominating Committee and approve the changes to the pastoral terms of call for myself and Pastor Sara.
Let’s roll out the red carpet and celebrate the Body of Christ. Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be the glory!
O God our eternal Father, we praise you for gifts of mind which you have given us. We are able to rise out of the half-realities of the sense world to a world of ideal beauty and eternal truth. Forgive us for loving others half-heartedly. Teach us, we pray, how to use this great gift of reason and imagination so that it shall not be a curse but a blessing. Grant us visions that shall lift us from worldliness and sin into the light of thine own holy presence. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
