As I write this I am flying home from meeting with the Senior Pastors from our ECO Presbyterian peer churches. It was such an encouragement to meet with these pastors from all over the country and to hear about God’s work across our growing denomination. We shared ideas and best practices and prayed for each other and our churches. They were all excited to hear our GRACE story continue to unfold. You are an inspiring congregation to people all over the country.
This weekend, Legacy Weekend, we will remember our inspiring story… a story of God’s work in you and many faithful people before you. Remembering is a holy practice. Throughout the Bible, we are invited to do it – from remembering God’s rescue mission of his people at the Exodus to Jesus’ invitation to take the bread and the cup “in remembrance of me.”
The testimony from the Psalms has it just right.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. (Psalm 77:11-14 ESV)
Remembering puts God in his place. Remembering makes our faith personal and powerful. We remember that God is the one who has been faithful. He is the one who has guided our steps. He has worked wonders. He has shown His might among us. He did it generations ago. And He is doing it today.
As we remember, we celebrate the legacy of God’s faithfulness in the life of our church and our bright future in His hands. It is so important to stop and together remember all that God has done over these last months, over these last years, and over the generations.
On Saturday, our “Grand Adults” will gather for a luncheon – honoring them and their legacy amongst us. The Four Score and More luncheon is one of my favorite events all year. The stories I hear each year of faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and stories of the generations of people that have come before us at our church touch me deeply.
On Sunday, we will continue our holy remembering. Our special guest will be Dr. John Crosby.
John and Laura Crosby served for 30 years at Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, MN, where he was the Senior Pastor. John received his B.A. from Wheaton College, Master of Divinity from Gordon Conwell, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Seminary. Involved in the larger denomination, John seeks to identify, encourage, and network younger leaders to build flourishing churches. He sits in the Founders Chair of the World Vision International Board, one of the organizations that fleshes out their passion for God’s bigger world. Golf and tennis fill spare time, and their “little girls” provide excuses to visit either coast (Berkeley and Washington, DC), as they change the world!
John has been a dear friend to me and to our congregation. I can’t wait to welcome him, and I can’t wait for him to see how God is moving at our church.
Finally, speaking of God moving at our church – I will never forget our elders and pastors praying over you as you came forward after the sermon on Sunday. I didn’t know how many of you would come forward, but I felt led by God to invite you and I was profoundly touched how you kept coming. I know I speak for all of us who prayed… it was humbling to hear your needs and to anoint you with oil and pray over you as James invites us to do in James 5. At the next session meeting, I will be talking with the elders about more opportunities for our congregation to practice healing prayer.
What a joy and privilege it is to be your pastor – 3 years this month!
See you Sunday,
Dr. Marnie Crumpler, Senior Pastor