Pastor's Page

A Message from Senior Pastor Dave Sorenson

Greetings!

Thank you so much for the gracious welcome you have given to our family as we begin our life together. From the day I first met the call committee; to moving in; to my first week in the office you have already been a valuable partner in ministry. I look for this to continue as we make a great beginning together.

On my first Wednesday here I went down to meet and greet the Middle School students who were coming to the church after school. I enjoyed a bag of popcorn and dodging ping-pong balls. With joy and wonderment in their voices a couple of the students said to me, “Are you our new pastor?” “Yes I am!” was my response as my heart swelled with humility and joy at their joy. It was a beautiful moment and I won’t forget it.

Pastor Bryan took me on a home visit my first day and that graciousness continued to be displayed. I made my first home call a couple days later and again I heard a hearty “Welcome!” My heart filled with joy as we broke bread together and prayed around the kitchen table. What a gift. I was nervous for our first staff meeting. But that feeling was quickly chased away as the staff’s laughter and graciousness brought me in to the joy of their fellowship. I am grateful.
So we are off and running together. With love in our hearts and the grace-filled Word of God on our lips we are already moving forward in faith. Jesus says to us:
“34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

This new commandment from Jesus has always been the bottom-line for me as a Christian. He says “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Note he doesn’t say we are to “like one another”, instead we are to “love one another”. And already as we greet one another with words of welcome and joy we have fulfilled this command. As we continue in our life as a congregation there will certainly be moments when we don’t necessarily like each other, but this isn’t necessary. We are commanded to love each other.

And that is my promise to you: I will love you as Christ has loved us. I can’t be as perfect as Jesus in this, nor can any of us. But as we move forward let us remind one another of this command. My prayer is that the Spirit will guide our wills in Christ-like love for one another and the world. For in doing so we will not only fulfill a command but lead one another and those new to the faith in the direction Jesus wants us to go.

Thank you for being a faithful witness to the love of Christ. I will pray for you and please pray for me as we seek to demonstrate the depth and breadth of God’s love in Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ love,

Pastor Dave Sorenson