Messages

Pastor’s Message

All the kids are getting ready to go back to school! I was talking to our granddaughter the other day about her starting middle school this year. She is very excited but a little nervous too. I have no worries that she will be fine and do well. Do you remember as a kid changing schools? I do. Not knowing where all the classrooms were, where your locker will be, whether you’ll have a hard time making new friends, were just some of the things I was nervous about. Change is not always easy or welcome, is it?

The longer you live, the more you know that the only thing constant in this life is change. Whether our changes seem hard or make us happy, change teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain and temporary. Nothing lasts forever. With all the changes, there is one thing that cannot change – God. “For I, the LORD, do not change …” (Malachi 3:6a).

Change is inevitable. It’s unavoidable. It pushes us out of our comfort zone. It forces us to adjust to circumstances we may or may not have been ready for. I’ve heard it said that life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. It’s okay to be nervous about new things, but don’t forget – no matter what life brings your way, God is with you throughout every change to lead and guide you. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) Our God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us.

No matter how ready or reluctant we are to embrace change, one thing is for certain, God is with you every step of the way. So let the changes come. We will not walk in fear, but in faith! We will trust God with all the changes, and know that He is more than able to help us and that He even has plans to bless us.

I hope you have a great week. I pray that all of our students, teachers, and support personnel in our schools have a great and safe school year. I hope to see you and your family in church this coming Sunday. Don’t forget to let your light shine for Jesus!

Message From Andy (Student Minister)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
– Acts 1:8

A new school year begins this month! The new year is a time of both excitement and anxiety for teachers and students. New classes, new grade level, new school, new school supplies … there are all kinds of “new” this time of year. I’m always grateful that the One who makes all things new is with us as we start a new school year!

This year, we’re going to ask our students here at church to look upon the 2025-2026 school year as a “9 Month Mission Trip.” Jesus tells us in The Great Commission to be witnesses for him even “to the end of the earth.” I completely believe Jesus has each of us where He wants us for a purpose, and that purpose is to share Him with boldness and clarity. Our schools give us a unique opportunity as Christian students and teachers to share The Gospel emboldened by the power of The Holy Spirit!

There are three actions involved in this 9 Month Mission Trip: prayer, care, and share. We’ll have a focus each month to pray for, to care for, and to share The Gospel. During the month of August, we’ll ask God to reveal to us friends to pray for this school year, use stickers as a ministry tool to reach out to friends, and encourage our youth to get plugged in to Christian groups at their school (FCA, Wyldlife, Prayer Warriors, First Priority, etc.)

I hope you’ll join me in praying for our students as they embark on their 9 Month Mission Trip!

Excited to GLORIFY, GROW, GIVE, and GO in this new school year!

Andy