The apostle John begins his gospel with these very familiar words: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” The Word is Jesus. He was with the Father and the Spirit from the beginning. This is important, because historic, orthodox, and apostolic Christianity affirms the preexistence of Christ. That Jesus, the Son of God, like the Father and the Holy Spirit, has been and always will be. No other world religion claims such a truth for its God or prophets. Christianity stands alone. All that has begun had its beginning in and through Jesus Christ. And familiar words from John’s gospel continue, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing was made. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.” Christianity stands alone, because it is a journey about a relationship with God and one another.
Beginnings are important. Whether we trace the beginning of a particular trip or the birth of a child, we remember beginnings. Such is true when it comes to the beginning of one’s journey as a Christian. In my particular case, I remember accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord during Communicant’s class in the seventh grade. I also remember when I began my dating relationship with Janet. It was Saturday, December 4, 1976. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in Fresno California for dinner and then to a production of “Godspell”. I remember many beginnings from my ordination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament August 15, 1982, to the Session asking me to serve as Grace’s Interim Pastor beginning January 15, 2024. Beginnings are markers.
Janet and I are thrilled to be in relationship with you and our Interim Pastor Journey. On Monday evening, July 15, 2024, the Session approved a process titled, The Proposed Timeframe. From Interim Pastor to Pastor. The Proposed Timeframe. From Interim Pastor to Pastor is a new beginning document and is now on its way to the Church Order Ministry Team (COMT) of the Presbytery of Southern Kansas (PSK) for its action.
Do not press Session members for answers. Know that God is in this and at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, February 23, 2025, the Strategic Plan (Mission Study) will be presented and the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) members will occur.
It is true! A new beginning is emerging for Grace Presbyterian Church. Continue to pray as I know you have been doing.
On the journey of Christian discipleship and spiritual formation with you, I remain faithfully yours,
Steve
The Rev. Dr. Steven M. Marsh
Interim Pastor
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