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But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. - Mark 13:32, NIV
This Saturday, I will be preaching the ordination sermon for a friend who served with me on staff at another church. He has been called to pastor his first church. In thinking about what to say in the sermon, I thought back to when I first came to this church ten years ago and the brief note I was asked to write to our congregation to go along with my bio. This is what I said:
One of my favorite TV series was West Wing. I think I have every season on DVD. Whenever President Bartlett, played by Martin Sheen, had made up his mind about some situation, he would ask, "What's next?" If anyone had any other ideas, he would listen. But when it was time to move on, he would say it again: "What's next?" So, what's next for Johns Creek Presbyterian Church? What's the next opportunity or challenge we're called to tackle together? I'm energized even considering what God has in store for this season in the life of Johns Creek Presbyterian Church and I'm eager to get started! What an incredible honor that God has given me the opportunity to serve as your next pastor.
So, ten years later, what do I say now to this new pastor -- given all that is going on in our world? What's next? Who knows? No one knows for sure -- but I find hope in this: God knows!
This Sunday we will be looking at the words of Jesus found above. When it comes to knowing the future, and particularly when Jesus will return to set things right, no one knows for sure - not even Jesus himself. But God the Father knows. And because God the Father knows, we can face "what's next" with hope! Come Sunday for Drive-In Worship at 9:30 a.m. or watch our On-Line service as we talk about "Preparing for the Next Storm" from Mark 13:32-37. These are two great ways to worship God!
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