Pastor Kohl, June 2011
Dear Friends,
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel… – Philippians 1:3-5
The Apostle Paul may have written these words, but they are also true for me to send to you, the people of Pilgrim Church. I do thank God for you because there is very much a sense of a shared ministry in this congregation. I see that on a regular basis in our life together.
Recently, Pilgrim Church sponsored a wonderful event for the church here in the northeast. From May 5 through 7, five presenters from the mid-west and west coast came here and led us in a Living Liturgy event. These days were dedicated to considering how we worship and why we worship as we do. But the event was so successful because so many people from this congregation helped to make it happen. The planning team, headed by Mary Brinson and Betsy Canino, ably assisted by Lisa Harrington, Joanne Lozy, Kathy Gremel, Elisabeth Vergun and Kajsa Teitelbaum led us in welcoming people to Pilgrim Church. The Kitchen Ministry crew did an outstanding job on providing wonderful meals to all who came, and all the people who brought baked goods made sure that all participants had plenty of snacks for coffee breaks and following the evening sessions. Everyone, both presenters and participants, had a vision of how God welcomes and cares for people by our sharing together in this event. Personally, as your pastor, I am proud of how things were done and how thoughtfully people were welcomed into this place.
On Sundays when we gather for worship, a similar thing happens: no one person makes worship happen. Like all things in the church, it is the body of Christ coming together which enables worship to be as pleasing to God as possible. Whether it is the choir singing together or ushers and greeters sharing the ministry of hospitality, or folks helping to distribute Holy Communion, it is in sharing together that the good news of the gospel becomes real. Worship is a time of renewal, a time when we enter into a truth that is bigger than our own lives. It is a time we can know God is working in the world.
Sunday School, Confirmation classes, adult education, fellowship activities, serving meals to the community beyond our doors as well as when the congregation gathers…the church is always best when people come together. It is in this gathering that we see how God works: through each of us sharing our gifts.
Much of our world wants us to think that what we do as individuals is the most important thing for our lives. But God has a different idea. God sees us as a community of God’s people. God blesses us through a life together. God works best through sharing our gifts.
And that means all of us are necessary. You may think that by not being with the people of God on Sundays or at other times that no one will miss you. But to be honest, we do not know how our words and deeds, even our simple presence with others, makes a difference. What we do know is that God is the one who has called us to be part of this community. And for that gift, I do thank God in my prayers for you with joy, knowing that we all share in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This life is both a blessing and an honor to share with God’s people.
With hope, blessings, and prayers,
