Happy Independence Day fellow Presbyterians! I hope that this day has been one of blessings for you. I pray it has been a day blessed by remembrance of the ways that God has guided us as a denomination and a country through the years. I started the morning at the Presbyterian Coalition Breakfast. There, we heard from two influential leaders(a portrayal of Presbyterian leader from the Revolutionary War days - John Witherspoon and an Islamic convert to Christianity and Presbyterian Leadership - Mateen Elass who spoke on the Spirit in the church. Using illustrations from popular media and pertinent real life experience, Rev. Elass wove discernment into Scripture and Scripture into life.
Breakfast with our leaders led into worship with the denomination. What an awe inspiring time to praise and pray with thousands of faithful Christians who were all there to worship a God that has delivered us from the waters and promised us that living waters will flow from each of us. We are all wells that can refresh our neighbor. Past Moderator Bruce Reyes Chow of the 218th General Assembly preached an inspirational message on our individual relationships with God. Using powerful and humorous illustrations Reyes Chow reminded commissioners and observers alike that regardless of tradition or our need for change we have no knowledge of how a particular person experiences the work and movement of the Holy Spirit. We celebrated communion as a LARGE family of God and even baptized a baby from a local congregation.
This afternoon we had our first look at the committees and our work ahead. There are many interesting proposals which your commissioners will be tackling over the next two days - leading to the recommendations to be voted on by the entire assembly. Your prayers for us all are much appreciated as we continue to do the work of the church.
May God bless your week and may you feel God's presence with you daily.
With a prayer and a smile,
Holly
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