Pastor’s eNote: Freedom Sunday

Blessings to you as we embark together on this season of Epiphany. This is an intentional time for us to praise Jesus as the light of the world, revealed to all nations. I thank God for the opportunity to worship together with you this first Sunday of 2024, as we heard an engaging sermon from Pastor Bonnie about being on mission with Jesus to persevere in love and care for those so often on the margins. We pray to be bearers of the light of Jesus into the rubble and dark places of our world.

Speaking of prayer, we continue to have a dedicated prayer time for every service on Sundays at 9:45am. You are invited to join us in the Prayer Room to the left of the platform for a few minutes of guided prayer before the service begins. Along with an open altar, we will have Prayer Team members available for special prayer during Communion every Sunday. The Prayer Room is also open following the service, if you would like to meet a pastor, prayer partner, or spend some time praying on your own. Our hope is that you join us in making prayer an essential part of worship at FFMC, as we commit ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

We are looking forward to Freedom Sunday, happening this Sunday, January 14th! This is a significant time of worship once a year when we remember our abolitionist roots as Free Methodists, and we lament the darkness of human trafficking. We will also be led into hopeful responses as we sing, read scripture, and hear testimonies and a sermon about our God who sees and frees. After the service you are invited to a special Open House in the Fostering Hope Supply Room on the 4th Floor. Homemade muffins, fruit, and coffee will be served in the FFMC Library down the hall.

You may have heard that there is a winter storm coming our way this weekend. We are carefully watching the weather. We will be letting you know if there is any change to the 10am Sanctuary Service this Sunday no later than 5pm on Saturday. Please check your email and our ffmc.org website for an update. Our plans to do a Freedom Sunday Lunch and Prayer Caravan have been postponed to a later date, due to the plunging temperatures.

We are praising God for answers to prayer in the life of our Pastor Craig. His surgery on Friday, January 5th was successful. They were able to completely remove the tumor on his pituitary gland with no complications. He is now home and beginning the road to recovery. Pastor Craig has shared with me that he is thankfully in little pain and asks for prayer for patience as his body heals.

Work continues throughout the week for our staff as we prepare and plan for the ministries ahead. Youth Group is going strong on Wednesday nights. We are grateful for Jayde, Bettina, Joey, and parents who are working together to create fun evenings of connection and growth for our teens. The flooring renovation has begun in the Sanctuary with the platform and foyer. Many hands have been needed to both clear and set up the space again for Sunday. We are so grateful for the extra help and excited about our new look!

I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday, in-person or online, as we praise our Redeemer together.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Camille