To my new friends in the faith:

     I thank God for you each time I pray." - Philippians 1:3
     Sounds nice and simple.  But do we do this?  Or is thanking God for one another in prayer something that only a saint like Paul can do?
     Praying for one another isn't always easy.  Sometimes we'd rather pray for friends and family only if they were in a closer relationship with God.  But I think Paul has much more to say in this short verse than meets the eye.
     The apostle Paul was integral in growing Christianity into the faith we know and share today.  He believed in the power of God and he believed in prayer.  In his opening statement of his friendliest epistle, Paul offers these words of grace:  "I thank God for you each time I pray."  And to us, millenia later, those are nice words that we take as poetic and polite.  but those words are a challenge.  a personal challenge.  "I thank God for you each time I pray."
     "You" - the Philippian church at that one particular time.  The real church.  not the one as seen through the eyes of idealism and perfection.  "You" - the church with all of its struggles and weaknesses; its trials and temptations.  "You" - the church with all of its unique potential and ability.
     The challenge for us is twofold.  First, do we thank God for each other - and our church - each and every time we pray?  And second, do we pray for the real us and the real church - each and every time we pray?  And second, do we pray for the real us and the real Lincoln Chapel?  Not the people we wish we were.  Not the church we wish we had.
     Paul challenges us to think and pray in the present.  It sounds simple.  "I thank God for you each time I pray."  That is to say, "I thank God for who you are at this very moment in your relationships with God  - each time I pray."
     God is at work in your life.  God is at work in the lives of your friends and family.  God is at work at Lincoln Chapel.  Let's thank God each time we pray - for the moments we have, and the moments we share.
     The here and now.  That's us.  That's the mission and ministry we share.  At this very moment.  And in this place.
     Marcia and I are so glad that we've found such a wonderful church family.  we look forward to worshipping, discerning, rejoicing and growing together with you - now, and for many years to come.  Please pray for us.  We are praying for you.
     Wishing you God's peace in this summer season,

Pastor Jon West