Greetings in the Name of Christ!

Today begins the first of many mid-week musings called “From your Pastor’s Study.” This week, I want to celebrate last Sunday’s worship, where so many grand things took place. 

We were graced with beautiful music, which included Barbara Moran at the piano and organ, and Jenni Mason as flautist!  We had a guest speaker, Tammie Collins, who shared the many ways in which the Anderson Free Clinic supports the community and how we, as a church, can support its ministry.   It was also Invite-A-Friend Sunday. I also want to thank Jim and Shelby Pierson for their ministry of making sandwiches for those in need.  It has been an immense blessing to the community and the church.  Both have discerned that the time has come to pass the baton, so to speak. I want to say loud and clear: Thank you to them, as well as to others!  Thank you to the team that helped clean up inside and outside of the church.  Thank you to our musicians.  Thank you to our communion servers.  Thank you to all who came to worship! 

You may have noticed that communion was served slightly differently.  When each of us came up for communion, the serving elders addressed you by your name as they served you.  For example, “Lori, this is the body of Christ broken for you,” and “Lori, this is the blood of Christ shed for you.” You may ask yourself, “What’s the reason?!”

Scripture attests to our God who calls each of us by name.  Each is knit together in the womb (Psalm 139) with attention to every detail. Every hair on each head is numbered (Luke 12:7).  The elders who addressed us by name at communion were doing as Jesus does: calling us by name toward wholeness, regardless of the burdens we carry, the mistakes we have made, and the sins that we have committed.   

Thanks be to God!

Yours,

Rev. Denny Read