From the Pastor's Desk (Aug. 2025)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7
In taking a trip to Walmart recently, we passed by the many shelves loaded with notebooks, paper, folders, and the abundance of school supplies I used to dump into the cart on my back-to-school shopping adventures so many years ago. It’s been well over 20 years since the last time I went on one of those adventures, but I remember them quite vividly. It would be about this time of year, and feelings were very mixed. I loved summer, and a lot of me did not want to go back to school. Perhaps small parts of me were excited about the new possibilities the upcoming year could bring, but it was not an overwhelming feeling of joy. But something about buying new clothes, backpacks, and other school supplies rekindled my excitement for school, and once I was fully stocked, I couldn’t wait to go back and use my new things.
I know, however, that not everyone felt that way. And not everyone feels that way today. Whether you are a student, teacher, school administrator, or you hold any other position in the school system, you are about to gear up for another school year. Some are excited, some are anxious, and some may be flat out dreading their inevitable return. In most cases, how one feels about going back to school is heavily dependent on their experiences in previous years.
Yet, regardless of how folks feel, within a few weeks’ time, the school buildings and classrooms will be full again, and the education of our students will commence for
another year of learning, experience, and hopefully fond memories. Everyone who
graces the door of a school deserves to be celebrated. Our students are receiving an education that many may not be blessed with in other parts of the country or world, and school staffs will be making a difference in the lives of the students God sets before them.
My hope for this school year is that you feel appreciated, supported, and empowered by the Lord your God. It’s not easy to heed the words of Paul when we feel anxious about all the challenges that could come our way. You may even get to the end of this school year wondering if you accomplished anything of significance, and not understanding how you could have reached any of your students in influential ways. But we are told that as long as we remain connected and prayerful to God, He will work in ways beyond our understanding in the lives of these students, to the extent that had you not been there, the lives of the
students would be much different, and not for the better.
For students, you have the opportunity to make and solidify friendships, gain an education that will prepare you for a successful career, and maybe even be graced with an opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone who needs it. Even though school is not the easiest place for such an interaction, I believe God graces those who pray for those opportunities with a way to change lives.
One thing that remains on our bulletin prayer list each week are our students and staff. Now is the perfect time to begin praying for the year ahead – for students, staff, and for our God to be working in the lives of each one. May God bless you and the new school year to come!
~Pastor Eric
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7
In taking a trip to Walmart recently, we passed by the many shelves loaded with notebooks, paper, folders, and the abundance of school supplies I used to dump into the cart on my back-to-school shopping adventures so many years ago. It’s been well over 20 years since the last time I went on one of those adventures, but I remember them quite vividly. It would be about this time of year, and feelings were very mixed. I loved summer, and a lot of me did not want to go back to school. Perhaps small parts of me were excited about the new possibilities the upcoming year could bring, but it was not an overwhelming feeling of joy. But something about buying new clothes, backpacks, and other school supplies rekindled my excitement for school, and once I was fully stocked, I couldn’t wait to go back and use my new things.
I know, however, that not everyone felt that way. And not everyone feels that way today. Whether you are a student, teacher, school administrator, or you hold any other position in the school system, you are about to gear up for another school year. Some are excited, some are anxious, and some may be flat out dreading their inevitable return. In most cases, how one feels about going back to school is heavily dependent on their experiences in previous years.
Yet, regardless of how folks feel, within a few weeks’ time, the school buildings and classrooms will be full again, and the education of our students will commence for
another year of learning, experience, and hopefully fond memories. Everyone who
graces the door of a school deserves to be celebrated. Our students are receiving an education that many may not be blessed with in other parts of the country or world, and school staffs will be making a difference in the lives of the students God sets before them.
My hope for this school year is that you feel appreciated, supported, and empowered by the Lord your God. It’s not easy to heed the words of Paul when we feel anxious about all the challenges that could come our way. You may even get to the end of this school year wondering if you accomplished anything of significance, and not understanding how you could have reached any of your students in influential ways. But we are told that as long as we remain connected and prayerful to God, He will work in ways beyond our understanding in the lives of these students, to the extent that had you not been there, the lives of the
students would be much different, and not for the better.
For students, you have the opportunity to make and solidify friendships, gain an education that will prepare you for a successful career, and maybe even be graced with an opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone who needs it. Even though school is not the easiest place for such an interaction, I believe God graces those who pray for those opportunities with a way to change lives.
One thing that remains on our bulletin prayer list each week are our students and staff. Now is the perfect time to begin praying for the year ahead – for students, staff, and for our God to be working in the lives of each one. May God bless you and the new school year to come!
~Pastor Eric
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