Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

I am thankful to have returned from my vacation in Scotland. The time away was valuable for a bit of rest, fellowship, and of course, a few rounds of golf in North Berwick. The four of us in our group took time, on the Sunday we were there, to worship at the local Church of Scotland (Scotch Presbyterian) in North Berwick.

We attended the smaller traditional worship service in golfing attire, so we stood out right away. Both pastors of the church made a point to greet us before worship. There we sat in a very upright pew as we sang hymns to very unfamiliar tunes! The sermon, however, was a joy to hear on that cool Sunday morning in Scotland.

The pastor preached on the text in John’s gospel when Jesus appeared to the disciples following his resurrection at the shore of the Sea of Galilee. His point throughout was clear. Jesus welcomes us all to the life of faith even when that faith is uncertain or even doubtful.

Peter is welcomed to breakfast after casting his nets into the water. Jesus brings a miracle of an abundant number of fish. He restores Peter to the work of “feeding my sheep” as part of his apostolic mandate. All this even after Peter’s acts of violence in the Garden of Gethsemane and his denial of his relationship to the Lord. Jesus fellowships with his friends by the lakeside.

It was such a keen reminder that no matter how doubtful or beleaguered we might feel, Jesus welcomes each of us with open arms. Yes, He will certainly transform us once we are in his grasp, but in the meantime, He welcomes.

May we each live in the hope of having a Lord who welcomes us all.

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(May 5th, 2026)