Rev. Peter C. de Vries, Ph.D. has served Old Union since November 1993.
To learn more about Rev. Dr. de Vries, go to FaceBook, Linked-In, or his blog.
FROM THE PASTOR
What is the most important job in our church? It’s not what you may think.
Last month we ordained and installed church officers, with new elders and deacons taking their ordination vows and the congregation vowing to encourage them, respect their decisions, and follow as they guide us in serving Jesus Christ. Because we put such an emphasis on our ordained leaders, one could naturally assume that they have the most important job in the church.
They don’t.
Or you may think that I, as your pastor, do the most important work. I received specialized training to preach, lead worship, teach, and provide pastoral care. I’m the most visible person in the church.
But I don’t have the most important job.
What about our musicians and our teachers? Their work gets a lot of attention, but they don’t have the most important job either.
So, what is it? What is the most important job in our church? Prayer.
Prayer is what connects our church to our living God, who is source of all power and wisdom. Nothing that our church does or aspires to do is possible without God’s blessing. Scripture tells us that each person is given gifts by the Holy Spirit to use for our common good. Therefore, we rely upon the Spirit to enable us to perform our ministries and missions, whether that means leading worship on a Sunday morning, sending a card to encourage someone facing difficulties, or cleaning up after a church function.
If you are praying for God to be at work in and through our church, you are doing the most important work of all. All of us, as a congregation, rely upon your prayers for God to guide us and strengthen us. If we try to make things happen on our own, our plans will fall apart. But if we seek God’s presence and power, nothing can stop us as we follow where he leads.
Perhaps health or age prevents you from being as active in the church as you once were. Perhaps you don’t live in the area and simply can’t get to church. Or maybe your work schedule interferes with your ability to get involved. That’s unfortunate, but you are still perfectly capable of doing what our church needs most of all: prayer.
In Christ,
Peter
Old Union Presbyterian Church | 200 Union Church Road, Mars, PA 16046
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com
724-538-8672 | OldUnionChurch@gmail.com