Stewardship 2022

“See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
-Isaiah 43:19

Dear Kennewick First Presbyterian Members and Friends,

As we attempt to resume our “normal” activities at church, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of the ministry at Kennewick First Presbyterian Church.  Over the past 18 months of Covid restrictions and social isolation, your faithful to gifts to God have enabled us to reach people both online and in person through worship, study, and fellowship.  Thank you!  Your continued gifts make all of that possible.

This fall we were able to resume our in person Bible Study groups, Youth Ministries and Children’s Small Groups on Sunday morning.  Thankfully the Scouts and Trailseekers have all been able to meet in the facility in person.  Our worship services are available in person and online at 9:00am and 11:00am.  We have a team of people praying 30 minutes before worship to bless the church and ask God’s presence to be known and felt in worship.

Many people have been adversely affected by COVID closures in loss of work and concern for health and safety.  We continue to find creative ways to meet individual needs through the Deacon Fund in the community, e.g. the Blessings Pantry, Kennewick School District Homeless Office, Columbia Industries, Grace Kitchen, and other local agencies.  Our online Mission Auction Funds supported a new water system in Guatemala through Living Water World Missions, and we sponsored six secondary education students in Uganda and Kenya through the African Children’s Choir, Music for Life ministry.  Your continued generosity and faithfulness to God is blessing not only our community, but people all around the world.

Emerging from Covid isolation, we are experiencing a shift in how to be “the church”.  Isaiah’s words to the people of Israel in the midst of their exile in Babylon brought hope, “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”(Is. 43:19) The past year and a half have felt at times as though we were wandering in the wilderness.  God is making a new way, continues to supply our needs and shows us His presence in moments of doubt and fear.  We look forward to renewed energy and possibilities as we hire new staff for Associate Pastor, Music, Youth, and Children’s Ministries.  We may not yet perceive the work of God in our midst, but God is faithful.

As you consider your 2022 financial gift to the church, I ask that you submit a pledge to help us plan for the coming year.  We will dedicate pledges in worship Nov 28.  God is doing a new thing at Kennewick First Presbyterian!  We are excited to see how God makes streams spring up and a path through the wilderness.

Thanks be to God for eyes to see a new thing God is doing in our lives and in our church!

In Christ,

Rev. Hanna Peterson Shearer

This week’s question: Do I trust God when bad things happen?

Holy God, you knew us before we knew ourselves.  You consecrate us even now to be your servants.  Create in us hearts worthy to be your prophets that we might go where you send us,  and speak the Word that you give us.  Through the power of your Holy Spirit, place your words upon our lips and your grace upon our hearts so that we might pluck up and pull down, destroy and overthrow, build and plant, as you, alone, have commanded. Amen.