Hey there party people, it's "PJ" (Pastor Jeff) back in action after a great week of much-needed vacation. Thanks to those of you who commented and for your patience with the comments being posted. I moderate all comments, which means I approve them before they go online. Since the day this blog was "unveiled" (via our sweet eNewsletter, on March 2nd) was also my last day in the office before vacation, well, it took till now for the comments to make their way online. Anywho...glad to be back in the blogosphere with y'all.
One of the comments was left (anonymously) by someone from Washington Evangelical Free Church; thanks for commenting! We shared your desire that our two churches might become one, and we are sad that this did not come to fruition.
While we had planned to worship at Washington's facility yesterday (3/11), their deacons informed us last Tuesday that they had decided to discontinue exploring the merger of BridgePoint and Washington. So, we are back at Simatovich! And yesterday's was quite a significant worship event for our people -- everyone was reeling from the news, yet Scott explained the situation and applied God's Word to the situation in a way that helped people understand all that had transpired, and that helped people to heal. We sang our hearts out in worship after that, all gathered for just one service as we were. Then we had an open mic time that was powerful and therapeutic - people expressed their hurt and frustration with the decision of the Washington deacons, along with their confident trust that God has a great future in store for us - plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).
We praise God for His faithfulness and sovereignty and goodness, even when our hearts ache and our minds fail to grasp the "why" of our circumstances. Soli Deo Gloria!