Rev. James Huffman

 

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1

I remember the third chapter of Ecclesiastes as a song made popular by the Byrds, but its theme is appropriate for us as we look back at the past year and look ahead to the year to come. This is a time to celebrate the ministry we have done together and also be honest and hopeful about the challenges that lie ahead. Our accomplishments point to our wealth of God given talent creativity, and commitment to ministry at Christus Victor, The challenges that are ahead of us call on us to act faithfully, with confidence in God’s presence and with all the tools and talents at our disposal.

We have a number of new enthusiastic Acolytes. Bible School was a great success. The Adult SCS class bought “Spark Bibles” and “Spark Story Bibles” that were distributed to the children of the congregation. Confirmation ministry has started up again. Parish life initiated a number of new activities. The youth of the congregation started having “Lunch with the Pastor” as part of the Youth Program. The Men’s group instigated a Congregational Picnic in September and have provided some “Helping handyman “services.” The Outreach Board has provided leadership in a wide range and significant number of social ministry projects and improved our PR. The Quilters continue their fine work. The WELCA provide extension to our ministry in many ways. This is not a complete list or even all the highlights of our ministry during 2010. Yet it is quite a list and gives us abundant reasons to celebrate.

This year is a time of challenges also. As the congregational meeting in December made evident we have a financial challenge for the coming year. It is easy to be concerned when we are confronted by a budget based on our record of stewardship over the past year, but stewardship is not about bills and spending as much as it is about commitment to God in response to the blessings we have received. Financial challenges do not have to overwhelm us if we each are conscious of Gods gifts to us. Evangelism seems to be a challenge to most Lutherans, for us it is time to get over it. We need to invite others to come be a part of our family of faith. Just as we recommend movies, restaurants, schools and daycare we need to recommend our family of faith as a “GOOD PLACE TO BE.” Program is always a challenge with so many opportunities to reach out to others with the good news of God’s grace and the limitations of money, volunteers, and space can restrict us. It is evident in our challenges and in the news each day that we are living in difficult times. There was a day when people turned to their faith in difficult times. Today the emphasis seems to be on blame and solutions that are not costly, inconvenient or take time to achieve. “Keep the faith” is not trite, passive, or easy. We need to know God’s word, be confident in God’s grace and live as disciples of Jesus Christ. With God all these challenges and more will be overcome.

The past year is evidence of the power of God to work with us and within us to do marvelous things. Let’s celebrate and remember so every time we are confronted by challenges we are prepared to be the faithful people of God in all seasons.
           
             Shalom,
                  Pastor Huffman