Forever language

Beloved of God,
 It was so good to have so many of you join us this week for our BASIC dinner and MoTR night. I want to say a special thanks to the folks who manned the grill, served the food, set up activities for kiddos, and cleaned up after. It was so good to be with all of you.
     On Sunday we will be having our bi-monthly congregational meeting. It is going to be an important one, and likely will demand some more time to move through the agenda. We are planning on having Pizza available for lunch as we work. If you are a member of this church, please plan on being present. 
   
    Our Scripture reading for this week comes from Hebrews 7:23-28. The author of Hebrews is teaching about the wonder of having Jesus as both our high priest, and our perfect sacrifice. It is “forever” language, it’s the language of completion and perfection. Jesus has secured a salvation for us that needs no renewal or refurbishment. It is salvation for always.
    And yet Jesus doesn’t just hang it up. Despite having offered a perfect sacrifice that saves us from our sins entirely, Jesus persists in his role as priest. Verse 25 tells us that, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Jesus loves us enough not just to “save” us and “shelve” us. Instead, he stays involved in the ongoing work of sanctification through our lives. He doesn’t quit just because the work is done.
As you run into moments of discouragement, or despair, remind yourself that your High Priest, who has completed perfectly the work of salvation for you, still stands ready to intercede for you. You are not abandoned or alone.
 Please join me this week in praying for:

• An end to this pandemic.
• Wisdom for the congregation as we meet together on Sunday.
• Those among us who are recovering from sicknesses or hurts in body, mind, or spirit.
• Those who are trying to do good and necessary work, but are feeling worn through, or stretched thin. Pray for their refreshment and renewal.
• Those in positions of public trust at the federal, state, and local level.
• First responders who address emergencies on our roads, in our wildlands, in our towns and even in our homes.
• Doctors, nurses, PA’s, paramedics and others working to keep us all well.
• Members of our community and others who are facing big changes and big decisions.
• In praise for fellowship over burgers, loud happy kid noises, and the blessing of each others’ company.
• One another (please email if you’d like to be added to our prayer ministry).[email protected]

 You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world,
 Marshall