For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
As a pastor, I usually have a plan and a routine each day, but things can change on a dime. Just in the last few weeks we had someone in the hospital and the air conditioning went out at the bank. Then a car ran into the bank building and pushed in a wall! That same day a U-Haul truck turned around in the church drive through, hit the roof, and drove off. You never know what’s going to happen at church.
I usually have a plan for my day, a list of things I’d like to accomplish and appointments, but it almost never goes according to my plan. One of my favorite sayings is this: “If you want to make God laugh, just make plans. They’ll change.” I do enjoy the variety, but I’m also thankful for quieter weeks where I can catch up on things and actually accomplish the things that are on my list.
What if we knew what was going to happen each day? Would we still enjoy it? Would knowing the future make our life easier, or maybe worse? What if we knew if we’d pass a test, or who we might marry? Or what job we would get, or when we were going to die? While it sounds good at first, I don’t think we would enjoy it as much as we think we might. It would rob us of the mystery, suspense, and hope and joys we need in our lives.
Scripture tells us that God has a plan for us. It’s a good plan, one that focuses on growth and a hope for the future. While we don’t know the specifics of God’s plan for us, scripture clearly calls us to a life of transformation and discipleship. It includes growth in character, love, and service of God and one another.
This Sunday Pastor Breznen is going to share a message on this passage from Jeremiah. I don’t know what he’s going to say, but I’m excited to think about it with him and all of you. This is a rich topic, worth exploring and discovering. Let’s come to worship ready to open our hearts and minds to God’s calling – to His plan for us. A plan to prosper us and give us hope and a future!
What are your plans this Sunday?
Pastor Dan
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· Are you looking for a church home? Do you KNOW ANYONE that might be interested in joining us? Talk to one of the pastors or call or email the church office.
· We are forming a “Pop Up” choir to sing in worship! Sandra Baran is leading our choir with rehearsals on June 8, 22. We will rehearse and sing on June 29th. Talk to Sandra or Pastor Dan if you are interested, or just show up!
· We are having Vacation Bible School on June 24-25-26 from 6:30-8:15 pm. Registration for youth 1st to 5th grade (ages 6-12) is now open online for the churches. Go to: https://forms.gle/ovM3WRbaPMnjZFKz9
· Grace Notes Music Foundation is having two summer string music camps for ages 5-18, June 23-July 6 and July 7-18. Scholarships are available. June 9 deadline is the deadline. Limited scholarships are available. https://www.gracenotesmusicfoundation.org/summer-strings-camp
· The Holy Cross Council Meeting will be this Sunday, June 1st after worship in the Fellowship Hall.
· The Holy Cross Congregational Meeting will be Sunday, June 8th immediately after worship in Sanctuary.
· Join us for a delicious lunch following worship on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.