Does the date November 12th, 1966 mean anything to you? You may be surprised to learn that this was the date of the first ever WCG worship service held in NH. Well, that was a long time ago. I had just turned 7 years old and my mind was far from God. This is not to say I was evil incarnate. Far from it, according to my mother, who likes to say that I was a perfect angel… J
Well, there was a lot she did not know about me back
then. Not that I was much different than
most other 7 year olds. What’s the
saying… snips & snails and puppy dog tales?
I recall having perpetually dirty elbows and patches on the knees of my
pants. And, if it wasn’t for my dad
giving me an occasional crew cut, I’m sure my hair would have been totally
unruly as well. As the fledgling NH
congregation was beginning down in
Isn’t that the way in life? So many momentous events go totally unnoticed by the majority of people. Although the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord are known worldwide now, when they happened, each caused little more than a ripple in the region surrounding Jerusalem. But ripples spread, as did the message of Jesus. Like a leaf blown on the wind, the message of Jesus traveled over the many miles, borne by individuals who could not keep the message of Jesus to themselves:
"I came that you
might have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
Abundance is one of those words that means different things to different people. There are those who would look at our lives and wonder how we can survive with what little we possess. Others would view us as being buried in consumer goods. Most in this nation would see us as having an average amount of belongings. But when Jesus spoke about abundance, he was not speaking of the accumulation of possessions. No, the abundance he spoke of shows on our faces and in the words we speak. It reveals itself through our attitudes and actions.
Much has happened in our local church since its beginnings in 1966. Many have come and gone from among us and much of what we once believed has been washed away, replaced by something better. The abundance of God’s grace and mercy has sustained us through it all. Compared to some, our struggles have been small, but to us they have been as mountains in our path. Now, as a congregation, we look for others who stand at the foot of such a mountain, who need words of encouragement – “Trust in the One True God to guide you through to the top.”
As God has richly blessed you, may you bless others. May you have opportunity to share the message of true abundance in this season of Thanksgiving.
God bless,
Pastor Thom
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