Talk Of The Flock
Pondering With The Pastor
For the next few issues of "Talk of the
Flock," I shall ask you to "ponder with the pastor," which is
another form of my previous phrase, "chewing the cud with the
pastor." Some of the issues I shall address will relate to personal
concerns whichface us. In Proverbs 4:26, we are given this
admonition: "Ponder the paths of your feet and take only ways that
are firm." Some of the issues I shall address will relate to social
concerns. In this regard, I am reminded of Paul's counsel in chapter
4, verse 8, of his letter to the Philippians: "... Whatever is true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable-if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy-ponder such things."
For now, in the wake of the President's State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 24, I am pondering various things about our nation. Many people are without work, and some of them are in our families. So, it is not an impersonal matter to us when politicians and bureaucrats discuss policies for creating jobs. It hits at us directly when they fail, for partisan or ideological reasons, to produce workable programs of employment. Growing numbers of people are getting sick from improper eating habits, lack of adequate nutrition, polluted air and water, contaminated products, and from sheer stress. Some of the sick are in our families. So, again, it is a matter of personal concern to us when topics are raised about greening the environment and about whether health care will be available for all. Poverty seems to be on the rise in what we like to call the greatest nation on earth. Since we also still like to call ourselves a Christian nation, we must ponder whether we are true to Christ if we are not actively, even aggressively, making sure that "the least" among us have essential food, clothing, shelter, as well as safety from harm and danger.
At Covina Community Church, let's keep up our good and faithful ways, through Mission and Outreach, of praising God in addition to our worship services. Our charitable efforts make us members of a regional, and international community of caring concern, and I think God is pleased with us.
Blessings on you all,
Pastor Lyn Walker
From Your Moderator.....
Our Moderator for the past 3 years, Mary and I have worked closely throughout those years and through her guidance and expertise - she is the epitome of Christian love for all that God has created - I can only hope to live up to her standards and follow her example. She leaves mighty big shoes to fill!
As I said on Sunday, January 22, it was with great joy and an honor
to receive our Pastor, Rev. Lyn Walker, as a new member of our
church family. This was my first official responsibility as
Moderator of Covina Community Church. To offer the "Right Hand of
Fellowship" to a new member is an unforgettable experience.
Recently, Pastor Lyn and met to share our thoughts on the future of Covina Community Church, and we learned that we share a sense of great hope for our future.
Our priority of building this church is actually two-fold:
1. To find ways to bring people, either for the first time or back to church.
2. To make the experience welcoming and Spirit-filled through our actions and through the appearance of the church.
Our being a loving and welcoming congregation is definitely already happening, but the church's appearance needs some TLC. As we go forward, I am certain we can simultaneously work on "building" and "sprucing".
It has been so encouraging to see everyone getting more involved with church responsibilities and activities. We need to continue to encourage and support each other as we proceed into the future.
I look forward to sharing the leadership of our church with the Elected Officers, with the Chairs of all Committees, Committee Members, and to working with Pastor Lyn as we explore new ideas and ways of looking "outside the box" as Eunice demonstrated at our Annual Meeting, and as Ruby has expressed "getting outside the church building and into the community."
One moment was when a member announced in church one morning that "We may be small but we are a mighty church in what we can and have accomplished."
Another moment was during my message:"The Remnant" - the theme was "We're still here!" "The Remnant" lesson in the Bible tells us that God will provide the grace to stand strong and rebuild. "Smallness" in numbers is not a reason for despair, but rather a call to give thanks that God still entrusts us with the Good News of Jesus Christ and still has purpose for us. The remnant is that which God invests all hope and faith for the future. For weeks after that, I heard people saying "We're Still Here!"
There are many moments when God's "still small voice" spoke to our hearts and helped us go on. May it be our testimony for 2012: "We did not quite! We did not give up! We are still here!" And, "Jesus is the cornerstone, we are the living stones, together we can do great things for the Kingdom of God." To God be the Glory! Amen!
In the Service of Christ,
Theresa Servin, Moderator