A lot of times the changes that happen in our lives are both positive and negative at the same time. One such change is the news that Jonathan Abernathy will be leaving us as organist, choir director and the bell choir at the end of September. Our music program has positively flourished under his loving care and guidance. That is certainly sad news for all of us. I cannot help but rejoice though for him personally. He is moving to St. Timothy in Danville where his new Episcopal congregation is presenting him to their Bishop for acceptance into the Priesthood. This is part of a long journey for both Jonathan and David and is a wonderful thing. I am sure that they really would appreciate all our prayers for joy and success in this new phase of their life.
It is a big change for us and for them but with change come new beginnings. This is a new beginning for Jonathan and, a new beginning for us as we look for a new music staff for our first service. It gives us a time to reflect on where we might want to go with this service? Should we become even more traditional or should we loosen things up a bit with familiar hymns and some of the better contemporary material that is being written for liturgical services? Whether we have one person doing everything or an organist and choir directors will kind of depend on who applies; but we need to think about that as well. What we definitely should do is talk. Talk to Randy Gustavson, Lynn Kirksey, Sarah Peterson and Maurine Self who are on the committee to help us find a new music staff. Talk to one another and to me, we all need to communicate so we can move forward as quickly as we can.
We have change and new beginnings happening with rally Sunday as well. There will be a ministry fair and a lot of signups for all of the wonderful ministries that we have here a RLC. You can sign up for the Choirs (Festival and/or Bell) or Holy Ruckus (our contemporary group), for Bible studies, Sunday School, Galivanting Gormets and other fellowship events and any of a number of other opportunities that help make a church a part of the Body of Christ.

These transitions are important times for us in our personal spiritual growth as well. It is a time to prayerfully consider what part God has called us to play in our church family. All of us received a gift of God’s Spirit at our baptism. When Paul talks about these Spiritual Gifts he tells us that God intended them “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12) It takes thin involvement of everyone for a church to really become the body of Christ, to grow and move forward as a people of God. All of us are needed for the ministry God has given us here at Resurrection. As you go around the tables on rally Sunday think of two things, first what is available that would make your life and your spiritual journey better, how can Resurrection serve you. Second, how can you serve God and take your place and help build up the body of Christ that is Resurrection Lutheran Church. Both of these are part of the blessing God intends for us as we take our place as a child of God.

Pastor Jim Bliss
September 2007