Changing Times

We sure are going through a time of incredible change! Gas prices are changing daily. A few years ago, this whole region was booming with new houses, and now the economy and peoples’ life-styles have changed. I’m finding that choices our family makes (like where to vacation, how often to eat out and which restaurants) have changed. I’m thinking a lot more than ever before about how to simplify. Maybe you are too.

Going through times of change can be difficult. If you have lost someone you love, the grief process can take many years and be very painful as you face the changes of life without that person. In the end you are a different person than you were.

Change is kind of like getting into an airplane on a trip. You lose sight of the ground on take-off, but you won’t see the ground where you land for some time. You find yourself both thinking of where you were, and where you will be, but you are neither place – you in the middle. Change is much like that experience.

Thank God, that in the middle of so much change, He is constant. The Bible says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19 God’s love remains the same. His forgiveness doesn’t change. His presence with us is constant.
Right now Living Hope is going through a time of incredible changes. Living Hope will most likely become a different church.
The first change is that Jessica Brandenburg has notified us that she is no longer able to serve as Director of
Children’s Ministries. She has been known by our kids as “Miss Jessica” teaching Bible stories, doing fun activities with our kids, even taking an occasional pie in the face, for almost two years now. The whole time she has served as a volunteer. We thank her for all she has done, and we will miss her in that role.

A second change is that a team of people has been brought together to lead Children’s Ministries. Their goal is to build on the foundation Miss Jessica laid, to include more leaders, in manageable roles in Waves, Rapids, and Ripples. They are working hard over the summer, and will have the new program up and running for this coming Fall.

A third change is that Living Hope will begin using our new Office and Meeting Center. This will provide us the opportunity to have classes, groups, and meetings on many days and times throughout the week. This will change Living Hope quite a lot.

One of the goals of having an office center is to provide closer administrative assistance to both Pastor Paul and Mitch Vogeli. We’ve actually done quite well for two years working by email, voice mail, and meeting once a week in coffee shops. Still, we could be a lot more effective if we could just bring our staff together daily. That in itself is a big enough change that will happen this summer. The biggest part of this change is that due to her other jobs and commitments, Sheri Gulla won’t be able to fill the changing needs of our Office Manager position. Sheri has been with us for almost two years now, doing a great job especially with Living Hope’s publications like the Sunday bulletins, monthly newsletters, etc.

There are possibly some other big changes coming, although we just don’t know at the time of writing this. These possible changes would be driven by finances. We have asked our members to make Faith-Promises in June regarding worship, Bible study, being in a Community Group, serving, giving, praying, and reaching out. Our Elders and Board of Directors will be looking at all the areas of these Faith-Promises in late June to see if changes are needed. Hopefully, we will be responding with praise to God for His provision, instead of having to cut back. Either way, we know that God wants Living Hope to reach people more than we do. He will be with us through whatever is ahead.

The Bible tells us that God “changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Daniel 2:12 Our lives are in His hands. He works for our good even through times of change.

Thank God that while our lives may be in transition, His love, His forgiveness, and His presence are constant.

Pastor Paul