Greetings brethren,

 

In lieu of the pastor's blog from this week I'm sending a letter sent to the churches from or UCG President Victor Kubik.  Mr. Kubik points up the need of all of us as the body of Christ to pray for one another:

 

Dear brethren,

As we prepare for the Feast of Pentecost this Sunday I am moved to write a short note to all our congregations to ask your prayers for God's healing, His grace and His comfort upon many in our midst who are suffering and are dealing with the impact of unexpected, fiery trials.

 Earlier this week Mark Rorem, an elder in the Oakland, California, congregation, died from lung disease. Don Pirwitz, our pastor in Springfield, Missouri, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Lucretia Kellers is being cared for in her home. Two weeks ago Brandon Bornga, a member in the Greensboro, North Carolina, congregation, was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was successfully removed. Then, tragically, just yesterday in Tampa, Florida, 17-year-old Jordan Gennaro suffered severe brain trauma from a vehicle accident and is in extremely critical condition.

 Emily Gerhardt in Australia is one example of a member working through extensive recovery from an accident in which she lost her leg all the way to her hip. Kathy Botha in South Africa is recovering from a lung transplant. We remember these and All who suffer. We "have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). Our prayers are with these members and their families as well as many others who are dealing with grievous trials and grief.

 As we prepare to come before God during this Pentecost weekend, let us collectively pray for His grace, comfort and healing. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

 The Feast of Pentecost teaches us that we are among the firstfruits of God. This is a very special group in His great plan of salvation for all mankind. The apostle Paul wrote these encouraging words of faith to help us understand the purpose of our trials: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance" (Romans 8:18-25).

 We are the firstfruits of God and the Lamb. Those who endure to the end will have their faith tested and tried in every conceivable manner. God promises to make us sons in His image and co-heirs with Christ in eternity. It is an awesome, mind-bending reality that has been promised to us.

Let us take heart and find courage in these words, and let us remember and strengthen each other in prayer.

In Christ's service,

 Victor Kubik

Please have a wonderful Sabbath and Memorial Day weekend!

Your brother in Christ,

 

Jim Tuck                      

Pastor