On Sunday, March 3rd, we kicked off a yearlong celebration of our congregation’s 125 years of ministry here in this place. This date already has special meaning for me as it would have been my dad’s 105th birthday. When I think about… events like anniversaries, especially as they relate to a church, I’m always drawn to those familiar words from Hebrews 12;
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight…and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”
Certainly among that great cloud of witnesses are my parents, Gilbert and Lorraine Oren. Neither of them lived long enough to see me become a pastor but I often feel their presence in church and I have to believe they would be pleased with how things have turned out. But when I consider “my own personal cloud of witnesses,” folks who by their spirit continue to offer me encouragement here in this place, there are so many names and faces that come to mind; Ethel Farrell, Dick Truitt, Nell Kresser, Sylvia Haggith, Ruth Wing, Jimmie Gibson and David Rice…just to name a few.
And being back here at Bay View reunites me with a whole bunch of “living witnesses,” people who have provided me with so much encouragement and support along the way, not the least among them being Pastor Kelly and of course, my wife Julie.
I tell you all this as a way of reminding you that we ourselves are called to be witnesses to the faith of others. Not just to our children but to all those around us. We’ll never know how we impact others but believe me…we do. So as we pause from time to time this year to celebrate our past let’s not lose sight of the blessed future God has put before us, a future that begins right now with the people who are here with us and those who are yet coming to join us.
Happy Anniversary!
Pastor Andy