Our Hearts Are Filled With Thankfulness

Bereans,

One of the most gracious gifts that the Lord gives to His people is the gift of one another. He has knit each local church into one body in which no one possesses all the gifts, talents, roles, or responsibilities. All the parts of the body depend upon one another and cannot properly function apart from this interdependence. (See 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:1-16.) A healthy church body is one in which all the members are fulfilling their roles and living out the "one another" commands. God's design for His church is intentional and beautiful.

It is because of members who joyfully serve in their roles and use their gifts that Trudi and I are able to combine all of our vacation into an annual time away...our sabbatical. The month that we spend on sabbatical each year is a time that we set aside to tackle household tasks that go "undone" during the year, to refresh, to refocus, and to recharge. It is a time that is very helpful to our ministry, our marriage, and our sanity! We are very grateful that Berean Covenant Church supports and encourages our pastoral sabbatical.

It is also good that all of us see that the church does not depend upon one person, one couple, or one leadership position. It is good that we all are reminded that the church belongs to God and that He builds it, maintains it, and provides for it. His Spirit has gifted and enabled each one of you to be of useful service to the rest of us. We are thankful, in particular, for Cheyne's preaching, teaching, decision making, and service. We are thankful for Jan's amazingly gifted ability to organize, arrange, and notice things that need to be done. We are thankful for the music team and their ability to lead our singing to the Lord and one another. We are thankful for Kevin and Jeff preaching. We are thankful for the many people who volunteered and offered their help to cover a variety of tasks.

The Lord is truly good to all of us, and as we resume our regular duties and work schedules, Trudi and I are particularly grateful for God's provision of all the people we affectionately call "Bereans."

Grace and peace to you,
J.W.

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