As the COVID-19 virus continues to disrupt our lives, I want to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to our wonderful congregation at Faith Family Church. You have blessed and inspired me with your encouragement, involvement, community, and prayers.

It is truly remarkable how quickly we’ve been able to adapt to changing circumstances. I am so appreciative that we are maintaining connections both corporately and individually via social media and apps like Zoom. We are now providing our adult discipleship classes online and are keeping our prayer lists updated through the new website. While I hesitate to mention names, I must say a huge thank you to a few folks that have gone the extra mile during this crisis.

First, I am very grateful to our elders, Andy Fluet and Matt Streett, for their indispensable help in getting our services online. I also appreciate Randy and our Praise Band for giving of their time to bring us together in worship. Pastor Tony is doing a great job keeping connection with our youth on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. He’s also been emailing class materials out to our teachers. Thank you, Pastor Tony!

Deborah Thompson has been extremely helpful in publishing study guides and adding her artistic flare to our online church publications. I would also like to thank Becky Shields for her help in the church office with administrative duties and helping produce our new weekly e-newsletter. Thanks also to our Sunday School teachers that are sending cards, puzzles, and goodies to their kids.

And perhaps most of all, I’m deeply blessed to have Judith by my side, keeping me sane while she continues to manufacture and deliver masks to families and businesses in our community. She’s amazing.

It has also been wonderful to hear how our members are keeping in touch and sharing with one another. Last week our small group was able to meet on Zoom which was wonderful. I would encourage all our small groups to do this, and if you need help in setting it up, please let us know.

When the apostle Paul was imprisoned and unable to minister to the churches in person, he did what he could by sharing his heart through letters. His words to the Colossian believers come to mind:

“For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” (Colossians 2:5)

Thank you, Faith Family Church, for loving and serving one another in the Spirit of Christ. I love and miss you all terribly, praying daily that we’ll be back together soon. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.