Dear friends,
I have been blessed to be with you this past month and to have gotten a chance to meet many of you and to have had opportunities to get to know some of you better. I have discovered positive relationships in our church and the elements that really make Wesley the “Friendly church on the hill.” As I have gotten to know more of you, I have also discovered some hidden talents among you. I look forward to discovering more of those hidden talents as I get to know you more.
Often a church is called a body, and the Apostle Paul uses a human body as a metaphor to describe the different working parts. We know that when a part is absent or not working right, it is missed. If we have enough parts not working, this eventually leads to death. Every part is important. You are important. Often, we think we don’t have much to offer to the body, but even your presence is an offering.
Summer is winding down and we are getting ready for fall. School will start soon. And here at Wesley, Sunday school will be starting as well (September 12). We look forward to seeing the children on Sunday mornings.
We have all been hearing about the delta variant of the Coronavirus that has been circulating. Unfortunately, Wausau is not exempt from this new surge. We will continue to exercise social distancing and precautions to keep everyone as safe as possible. We have been making improvements in our live stream so that is an option also.
Amid uncertainties, we know that God is certain and is always with us regardless of how tumultuous the world around us becomes. We cling to our God and the promise of God’s saving grace as we continue to be the church. We continue to be a light on the hill – both literally and figuratively, and we will continue to care for the lost sheep that Jesus so much cared about. We will continue to respect one another. We will respect others who are different from us. We do that because that is what Jesus did and continues to do through the body of Christ.
So, even in the midst of uncertainty, let us put our faith and trust in the one who loves and cares for us. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me. Psalm 23:4 CEB
Praise be to God,
Pastor Mike
