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Annual Pastor's Report 2018

“On the ship of the church there are no passengers, all members are the crew.” From the Charter of Church of the Savior, Washington D.C.

During 2018 we celebrated our faith in communion, in baptism, in marriage, and in the lives of those who have joined with the saints in heaven. We continued to face the challenges that we share with other communities of faith.

During 2018 we have seen an increase in the things that divide us in our world. It appears that we have lost the ability to come together and reason with one another. Anyone with an opposing view or thought is to be villainized, shouted down, defeated, and destroyed. We are called to be peacemakers in a “Game of Thrones” world.

So, as we look toward the new year, we can see that we have our work cut out for us. We need to be building bridges of faith within and without our church and the communities in which we live. We need to be striving to see the possibilities instead of the barriers. We need to put our faith to work, relying not on our own strengths and abilities but trusting God to show us the path and provide the tools needed to make a difference in our communities.

In truth, we have everything we need to see Christ at work in our world. God is with us and for us. With God, nothing is impossible. With God, everything is possible.

I wish to thank those on the consistory for their faithfulness, those who help with the services every Sunday from the printing of the bulletins, and providing the music, to those that sweep and dust, set the flowers on the altar and keep the accounts. I thank God for you all. I thank God for the Sunday School teachers who give not only their time, but also their heart so that children can know that God loves and cares for them.

And I thank God for those who sit in the pews and listen as I try to share what God is putting on my heart and laughing at my jokes.

I continually pray that God will bless our churches beyond our wildest dreams and I ask you to dream big.

God bless,

Pastor Bob

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