First Presbyterian Church of Fresno

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

     Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord!  That’s what I was saying this morning as I walked out to get the newspaper and experienced a phenomenon I have rarely experienced since moving to Fresno – rain. Praise the Lord; let it rain!  I bet many of you started the day the same way, and I encourage you to keep praying for more rain.

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

The experience we shared on Sunday is one of my favorite experiences of the year.  Remembering our baptisms is a powerful way of living into the identity that our baptisms signify.  Many of you came forward to remember and give thanks, but I know there were still some lingering questions about what exactly we were doing.  Let me address that briefly here.

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres,

Dear First Pres, 

     She's considering it.  Rebekah took her Christmas Eve invitation card to school; she wrote a nice note on the back inviting her teacher to join our church family on Christmas Eve, and the teacher is considering it.  While she considers it, we'll keep on praying that God draws her to Himself in the same way that He drew the Magi to find Jesus.  And maybe, like the Magi, upon encountering Jesus, she will worship Him.

Dear First Pres,

I loved getting a chance to hear folks reflect on what God is doing in their lives and how they are particularly thankful this year during worship on Sunday morning. Yes, it can be a bit awkward to wait for the next person to stand up and say something. But who cares? Sometimes the awkwardness is what God uses to push us to a new place. So, thanks for sharing with each other your thanksgiving; it sure made a sweet smell in the sanctuary.