With a Grateful Heart

       As I pen this article, it is 5:00 AM.  I am not a morning person. And, as my beloved will tell you, I have never been a morning person. Yet, I have come to peace with who I am. 😀 Still, on this day as I type, I am profoundly aware of the day.  As I listen to the birds and watch the dark of night give way to the brightness of a new day my heart is full of thanksgiving.  
      In my prayer life, the salutations that I use to address our Heavenly Father often vary. But, of late, as I quiet my spirit to begin my prayer, the same salutation comes to my mind again and again.  It is simply, 'Good and Gracious God'.  As a community of faith, we know of God's goodness and graciousness.
      Last evening was spent with the members of our council.  There was not a lot of talk about the business of the church, past or present. Instead, we shared a fellowship of God's grace and some seriously good food. We enjoyed garden tours led by the pastor's 7-year-old granddaughter, 😉 and the laughter and presence of one another. It was a joy, just to be.
      I am so thankful for the community of Good Shepherd.  I am thankful for the joy and laughter we share when we gather as community for worship.  I am thankful for the love that I see we have for each another as we support one another in both word and deed, and, the way we reach out to new folks as they appear in our midst, it is amazing, God is doing a new thing at Good Shepherd. It is a new day . . . for Good Shepherd.
      Perhaps you have not been with us for a while.  I invite you to 'come home'. We have missed you.  Perhaps you have found yourself just simply too busy during these beautiful summer weeks to come to worship; please know that we have missed you. When you are not with us your place at our Lord's Table is noticeably empty. 
      As I complete this article, the light of day has arrived.  The new day is yet another blessing. In God's goodness and graciousness and in this new day, we are being given a new opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus.  We are being given a new day to encourage others in the midst of their journey.  In this new day we can love, as we have first been loved by Jesus.   Won't you join me in this new day at Good Shepherd­­ Church? I sure hope so. We are excited to see what our Good and Gracious God has planned.  
      See you in Church!
      Love, Joy, and Peace,
      Pastor Jim