Welcome
Pastor Julio Peña's May 2021 Message
CONVERTING JOURNEY
I would like to begin with defining the word; converting: is the action to change; transform. This is what happened in the book of Acts with Paul and Peter. We see Saul a persecutor of the believers, transformed by Jesus Christ in which even his name was changed to Paul, you can read this in Acts 9: 1 – 19a. We then read in Chapter 10 in which Peter assume that all he needed to do was preach the gospel to the Jews, but Jesus had other plans for Peter so, he put several things into motion the vision of unclean foods in his tradition and moving Cornelius a centurion of the Italian Cohort (Gentile) from a vision to send for Peter so that he can know more about Jesus Christ. In this chapter two conversion happen; first Peter was called to bring the Gospel also to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Second, Cornelius received the Holy Spirit as well as his family and servants, after hearing Peter sermon.
This month we will celebrate Day of Pentecost on Sunday, May 23rd, which is the beginning of the Christian church in which the gift of the Holy Spirit was officially brought here on earth to all of us.
As Saul and Peter were called to change, transform so are we. Individually we are called everyday to grow in the Spirit of Christ through prayer, reading the Bible and using tools available for us to grow in Christ, but we are also called to transform in the way we worship and the way we do ministry.
It begins with being “real” in our relationship with the community of believers and non-believers. We need to be vulnerable in ourselves and be a part of the community, this means not just coming in and out of church, but being involved in the community and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with our action of love for his people. We will be doing it in a different ways this year despite the pandemic still going on. We will begin in June with our monthly newsletter, our website and a new quarterly Community Newsletters in “Telling a Story.”
This will be a way for the community to get to know us a little better. We will also find a way to reach out to you and get to know and find ways in which we can serve the community with the resources we have.
We will look at ways through technology and even looking out for community events in which we can spread the gospel. We will have in the back of our church a mailbox with these letters for people to pick up, while walking on the labyrinth and sitting on the bench.
Our doors are open for one on one talks with me; Pastor Julio. You are invited to participate in our hybrid Bible study in which you can come in person or participate through Zoom. We are even open for worship service through live streaming or in – person. Of course face mask are still required in the building of the church. We are going to expand the youth group by invitation of word of mouth and beginning in June, the youth will have a section in the newsletter and website to share of themselves and what is going on in youth group.
We are not going with the negative attitude of doubt and fear, but of positive attitude and hope that we are going to grow in a new way, not like how it use to be, but grow with people that are going to feel safe, respected and love in this church community. Everyone is Welcome to praise and worship God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit – to serve one another – to fellowship in a safe place – to seek peace and love – to Be.
God Bless,
Pastor Julio