From the Pastor's Pen

Greetings in the New Year! We have enjoyed some remarkably pleasant January days for which we are grateful. From my farming and cattleman days, this was the beginning of meeting season, a time to learn and determine organizational direction for the coming year as well as renew old friendships and possibly escape to a warmer climate for a few days. Markets and weather were always topics for discussion, along with rules and regulations both implemented and proposed.

Still at the heart of all of it was the family focus, the direction and dedication of staff and volunteers toward making a better tomorrow for generations yet to come. Legacy was both tradition and important, recognizing our roots and values while planning for the future.

If that sounds a lot like church, there is a distinct and unmistakable similarity. On January 22nd St John’s will have it’s annual meeting where budgets and direction will be discussed and leadership elected. It’s meeting time in the church as well as other institutions. We will build on the foundations laid before us and perhaps ponder the legacy we are building and leaving for generations to come.

For nearly 150 years, St. John’s has been serving God in Harmony. We are blessed to have multiple generations of members whose families have deep roots in this church and community while welcoming and embracing new faces and ideas. We blend and grow, prune and graft, adapting and adopting the best plans and promises for the future of St John’s. We are blessed with deep roots and fertile families responding to the Good News of Jesus Christ, growing in faith and family values, serving God in this time and place.

“The world is run by the folks that show up and participate” still is true today. In my opinion, if you fail to show up and engage, you forfeit the right to complain.

Hope to see you all in church, and stay for the annual meeting. 

Blessings and Peace and Love, 

Pastor Dave

dbatemanlbrn@aol.com