The past week of warm sunny weather has been a welcome
relief from a cold February. On the shore of Lake Michigan the first sign of
spring is a weather forecast that includes “cooler by the lake” and we have had
that. It is amazing how quickly the landscape has changed from snow covered and
frozen to signs of new life. Tulips are peaking out of the ground on the south
side of our house, the geese are paired up and migratory birds such as Red Wing
Blackbirds have returned.
With Pastor John’s announcement that he will be retiring at
the end of the year, Hope Church is facing a big change. The selection of a new
senior pastor is a major undertaking that will have lasting impact on our
church. The pastoral search committee has been reformed and will be led by
Brian LaLiberte. Over the next few months the PSC will be working to identify
our churches strengths and weaknesses to help determine what characteristics we
need in our next senior pastor. The first step was the survey in last Sunday’s
bulletin. Most importantly you have been called to unite in daily prayer at
8:15AM or 8:15PM as we seek God’s will for Hope Church, ask for his guidance of
the PSC and pray for our next senior pastor.
Also every Sunday morning about 20 people gather in the
adult classroom from 8:15-8:40 to pray for the morning service, needs of Hope
Church and community as well as each other. If you are not used to praying this
can be a bit intimidating but there is no requirement that you pray out loud
and it is a great chance to experience different styles of prayer. The only way
to become more comfortable at praying is by practicing. Hopefully you will join
us at one or both of these times.
Sincerely
Mike Bauman Elder
