From Deacon Tim

Good Morning Nativity!

This past Monday morning, I started as your Deacon-in-Charge. The first thing I did upon arriving was step into our beautiful Sanctuary and pray Morning Prayer. The appointed reading was Romans 1:1-15, which includes the following verse (Rom. 1:8, ESV): “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, …”

As St. Paul thanked God for the Roman Christians, I genuinely want to thank God for you. Thank you for your courage and faith in selecting me to be your Deacon-in-Charge. I am honored and overwhelmed by that choice. Mostly, however, I want to thank you for your unwavering faith in, and love of Jesus Christ, especially during these past two years as you have searched for someone to shepherd this flock. I also want to thank you for the love that you have already shown me. A love that I hope you feel emanating from me to you as well. Thank you and God bless you!

St. Paul ended Monday morning’s scripture reading with, “So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome” (Rom. 1:15, ESV). Exchange “Sarasota” for “Rome” in that verse and those words could me mine. I could not be more excited to explore with you all what God has planned for us!

The words from this upcoming Sunday’s Collect seem like a fitting prayer to end my first Nativity Now (BCP, pg. 230):

O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In the Peace and Love of Christ.

Deacon Tim