Letter to the Congregations: 1st March 2025

Our Dear Brethren,

This morning I can feel the warmth of the spring sunshine. There’s still a crispness to the air but as soon as the sun is fully in the sky the air will be warmed enough for a comfortable walk. Soon enough the flowers will be returning to the fields and the branches of the trees, even in Brooklyn.

With the coming of this season in the northern hemisphere also comes the Passover. Often as the Passover approaches, and God’s people are in the process of preparing their hearts to take of the symbols of Christ’s body and blood, many experience fierce trials that can sometimes distract them from such important spiritual preparation. Some of these trials not only have an effect on personal spiritual preparation to present ourselves before God, but also have the potential to cause conflict between brethren. The New Covenant Passover not only includes reminders of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. It also includes a reminder of His service for His brethren which we are to imitate.

Some of the recent trials that I’ve noticed among the brethren (and I’m sure you have too) include: political turmoil and war, changes in leadership over nations and organizations, marriage bonds pushed near their limits, offense from the comments of brethren, loss of jobs and homes, deaths in families, homes destroyed by fire and flood, drought and famine, illnesses of all kinds, loneliness and separation. Have you been affected directly or indirectly by some of these trials? In such times (and God’s people are no strangers to such times) I am always reminded of the shaping and molding of His people God has planned through our trials:

“And not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3).

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-11).

The recent testing of our faith will, with God’s help, prepare our hearts and minds and egos for the upcoming Passover. But there will be more to come. We must remember not to be shortsighted, but rather look to the glorious future God has prepared for us past all the tribulations and situations that are before our eyes today.

Lewis VanAusdle

Pastor, United Church of God

NYC, NJ, CT, Malawi, Zimbabwe