A Note from Pastor

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,” Psalm 33:18
     As I write this, new mask mandates are going into effect as COVID-19 and its various mutations continue to spread. In the news, we are bombarded with reports of more shootings and an alarming increase in lawlessness. In government, the news, and social media there is a lack of civility as everything seems to be politically motivated. Racial intolerance and immorality are increasing. Suicide, overdose and addictions are destroying more lives than ever.  I think it is fair to say there seems to be a growing sense of despair among many people.
    And yet, there is hope.  In the midst of the troubling events which afflict us, Jesus Christ is, and always will be, the hope of this corrupted world and those who live in it.  Because the hope of the Christian is not a mere wish or yearning for something uncertain. Instead as St. Paul wrote, we have confidence, and “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”  (Romans 5:3-5)
    We can rejoice because we know that Jesus died for us, forgives us our sins and has given us the hope of eternal life with Him, long after the troubles of this world have come to an end.   Therefore as St. Paul also wrote, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.