Dear Faithful Followers,
This weekend we celebrated 45 years of “following Him in faith!” On October 3, 1976, a group of families committed themselves to serving God and each other in a congregation called First Lutheran Church of Calvert County. And ever since, First Lutheran Church has been on the move – serving God, His people, and Southern Maryland. From the Plusch family’s living room to various locations around Calvert County to our present location at the intersection of Routes 2 and 4, the Cross of Christ has shown brightly through those God has gathered in this place.
Over the years, God has blessed His church with many forward-looking leaders who shared His vision of the future. These faithful Christ followers shared their many gifts – time, talent, and treasure – praying for one another, guiding people of all ages in worship and the instruction of God’s word, starting school and other ministries, and sacrificially supporting the work and ministry God called them into by leading committees, boards, and other groups. Those who’ve gone before us have joined with Christ to be His hands and feet who “Joyfully proclaim God’s word and enthusiastically share Christ’s love” in the world.
It’s important to remember what those who’ve come before us have done in putting their full faith and trust in God to lead them in the work He called them to do – including those who sacrificed time, talent, treasure, and personal convenience to start new congregations. Looking to them for inspiration, God calls us, today’s church, to see the future with His eyes and heart. He calls us to keep shining the light of Christ by faithfully using the many gifts He’s given each of us. This weekend we rededicate ourselves God’s mission. We thank Him past blessings. We ask God to lead us into the future He has set before us. Please join me in trusting Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls that our lives become lives of worship, responding to His love for us as we glorify and praise Him by following Him in faith.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim