What He Has Done!
I am grateful to celebrate that we had a wonderful Annual Meeting last Wednesday night. It was a special time together and we have plenty to thank the Lord for at Hope. I want to ask you to join me in praying for our Elder team which faithfully serves to lead our church family. Stephen Campanella, Jeff Laird, and George Pana were elected to 3-year elder terms that begin in January.
We are grateful for the fact that our budget was approved for 2025. We are also grateful for the officers who were elected to serve. Don Oleszczuk was confirmed as our Treasurer, Jeanette Montgomery was appointed to serve as our new Assistant Treasurer, and Mark Scott was confirmed to continue as our Secretary. Heather Laird, Sarah Lynix, and Bob Hershey were chosen to serve on our Nominating Committee for next year. As a group, we fervently prayed for the future of our church, the Lord’s ongoing provision for our needs, and the sweet opportunity to worship and serve the Lord together as we strive to go deep in our faith and wide in our influence in 2025.
When the apostle Paul planted churches, he always appointed a plurality of elders in each new local church to provide the essential leadership necessary to help them thrive. You might be surprised to find that Paul called us to pray for our leaders and to honor them. In Hebrews 13, he writes, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.” (Hebrews 13:7-9 ESV)
He goes on to write, “Through him [Christ] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.” (Hebrews 13:15-18 ESV)
This is a good reminder to all of us that we have a responsibility to honor and pray for those leaders that God has called to serve us at Hope Church. I am honored to be one of those leaders and I pray that God has great things in store for us in 2025.
Expectantly,
Shawn
