Pastor’s Page
Feeding the 5000 …
You know the story. It’s after the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus sends the disciples back across the Sea of Galilee while he takes some time to pray for himself. Then, in the middle of the night, he walks across the water. The disciples think it’s a ghost. But Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk toward Jesus on the water. We don’t know how long he walked or how many steps, but the Bible does tell us that at some point he looked and saw the waves and heard the wind, and it probably dawned on him that people can’t walk on water. All of a sudden, Peter is sinking like a “rock”. (Peter’s name means rock.) What amazing faith for Peter to stand up and get out of the boat at all. What incredibly small faith to doubt when you’re already walking on water…
This month, in the midst of the season of Lent, we are scheduled to both dedicate the addition of the new educational annex, as well as to open and begin serving our community through the Open Arms Childcare Center. On March 14th, at 3:00 pm, we will be having our dedication service. From 4-6 pm we will be having an Open House, where we will be giving tours as well as having the opportunity to meet some of the first staff. Like Peter before, what an incredible step of faith it has been. There have been wonderful blessings and their have been terrible frustrations throughout the process of construc-tion. There have been a lot of people who have worked very, very hard both physically and mentally on top of their other duties to their families and their employers to get things this far. If you have a moment, please thank the Building Committee and the members of the Open Arms Board of Direc-tors. Also, please give a big hug to Jim and Susan Young who have stayed with us throughout this whole process. We couldn’t have done this without their sacrifice and dedication.
At the same time, as I am writing this newsletter article, it looks like it is going to be a push to get the building done in time for dedication and opening. Most of the building is complete, and we are wait-ing for inspections to determine what changes will have to be made. Then, there is the additional man-ner of setting up classrooms so that they are usable when we open. There will be workdays the first two Saturdays in March. There will be something for all ages to do, from dusting and sweeping to moving and placing furniture. At times like this, the waves and the winds look awful big at times. But, like Peter, we always have to remember that everything is, was, and always will be in the Lord’s very capable hands. The same hands who reached down to pull Peter up from certain death are the same hands that have been spread out on the cross to save us from certain death. Now, as his body, seeking to serve him in all we say, think, and do, we use our hands to glorify him and tell others what Jesus has done for us.
Christ is Risen! Pastor Ascher
