Dear friend,
I hope you had a great Sunday yesterday, especially if you were in community at Bethlehem!
We have a week of wonderful opportunities ahead of us.
This Wednesday at GracePlace we’ll begin a study of the first three chapters of the Revelation to St. John. The first chapter includes a majestic description of the exalted Christ. Then chapters 2 and 3 present Christ’s personal letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor. With these, we will take a look at our church’s present situation and see how Christ is calling us into mission.
Next Sunday includes a quarterly voters meeting after the worship service. Presentation of the 2026 budget will be made, which means time for reflection and thanksgiving on God’s grace at work among us.
I recently came across this little poem by James A. Richards, who was born in 1878. It nicely captures the path of discipleship with Jesus:
I owned a little boat a while ago
And sailed a Morning Sea without a fear,
And whither any breeze might fairly blow
I’d steer the little craft afar or near.
Mine was the boat, and mine the air, and mine the Sea,
not mine, a care…
One day there passed along the silent shore,
While I my net was casting in the Sea,
A man, who spoke as never man before;
I followed Him,–new life begun in me.
Mine was the boat, but His the voice, and His the call,
yet mine, the choice…
Once from His boat He taught the curious throng,
Then bade me let down nets out in the Sea;
I murmured, but obeyed, nor was it long
Before the catch amazed and humbled me.
His was the boat, and His the skill, and His the catch
and His, my will.
The church is Christ’s, and we are His.
Pastor Heckmann
