Dear friends,

      Charles Wesley, the prolific hymn writer and brother of John Wesley, Methodism’s founder, penned:
          God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
          And still he is nigh, his presence we have;
          The great congregation his triumph shall sing,
          Ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
     What powerful words!
     Do you see the irony?  God ruleth on high - yet still he is nigh (close by).  God, who created the universe and everything in it…  God, who transformed energy into matter and brought everything into being…  God, who holds the stars in their places and the planets in their orbits…  God, who has the power to create ANYthing more perfect than we can begin to imagine…  That very same God is right here.
     God is here as I write this, and God is in your midst as you read this.  That same all-powerful Creator God, whose love knows no bounds, wants to have a holy relationship with us.  God loves us.  Can you believe it!?
     I’m full of shortcomings.  And we’re probably more alike than you’d want to admit:  together, we’re no living examples of perfection.  We sin.  We do things and think things that aren’t exemplary of our faith.  We fall short.  And still, the awesome universe-making God loves us.
     As we look around this springtime, let’s ponder God’s power:  His power which pulls the leaves up from the ground and entices the buds to appear on the trees.  His power which sets the sun higher in the sky and calls the birds to return from their southern stays.  Let’s be deliberate about looking for God’s power at work in nature.
     And then let’s make that connect to our lives - and our spiritual journeys.  Let’s feel God pulling at our hearts.  Let’s be open to God enticing our spirits.  Let’s allow God to set us where we need to be.  And let’s be attentive to God’s call on each of us.
     What God does in his power - in the universe, in the world, and especially in this most-evident season of Spring - he also does with, and to, us.  He created worlds, and created us.  He holds the galaxies, and holds each of us as well.  He’ll take us to a place that is free of heartache and pain and death, and He sent His son - Jesus, God With Us - to be that bridge between us and the all-powerful, all-perfect God.
     I’m ready for Spring.  I’m ready to see the new life coming to our land through God’s power.  And I’m ready to see God’s power made real in my life… and your life… and in the life-giving ministry of the church we share.
     Marcia and I wish you a blessed Spring,
     Pastor Jon