“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock…”
Did you know that underneath our church, there are more than 100 concrete pilings that go down 40 feet into the ground beneath us? We sit on a marshland, so to make sure our building has an adequate foundation, we had to dig deep!
We do have a strong foundation, and it’s not just because of the concrete pilings. Our foundation comes from
Our earnest faith. We trust in God’s love and we are oriented towards hope.
Our love for each other. We rely on each other in bad times, celebrate with each other in good times, and work with each other all the time.
Our concern for our neighbors. Everyone is a beloved child of God, and should be welcomed like it.
Our rich heritage. We did not come out of nowhere, but out of a long line of faithful and inspiring saints.
Our abundant resources. We have a welcoming and versatile facility, several thriving community-based ministries, and a congregation of talented people who can do anything.
If you had a magic wand and could conjure up a church that had everything it needed to be effective in ministry with their community, I can’t think of anything you would want that we don’t already have. With this kind of foundation, we’re well prepared to RISE UP. We can add on to the faith home we have, building additions where new people can find their spiritual place.
It’s no secret that our world is changing. Technology, shifting work demands, diverse family structures, and current events are making us all rethink some of our old habits, practices and assumptions. Our youngest generations are coming of age with different expectations and behaviors. It’s time for us to adapt our practice of church so that we continue to be a place where all people can belong.
What does this look like?
Putting more people and resources into our online worship experience.
Programming and ministry for our online community.
Improving our facility so it continues to be a relevant tool for ministry.
Trying new projects that might fail, but might lead us to the next idea that works.
This congregation has shaped each of our lives. It is a foundation of love in a shifting world. Thank you for everything you have given—your gifts, your time, your heart—to build this strong foundation. In the year to come, we may need to adapt the way we do ministry, but the heart of our ministry will always be the same: We trust in God’s love for all people.
