Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ,
Last Sunday, June 27th, was our 52nd Sunday with you at Fairbury First UMC.
We begin our 2nd year of ministry with you on July 1, 2021. Last year brought much change to everyone. The body of Christ has faced challenges and change as worship and ministry continued in varied expressions. We are moving forward and celebrating together.
Our church picnic provided the opportunity to honor Pastor Ann Champion for her ministry in Fairbury. Thanks to Roger and Denise Brown for hosting us and providing wonderful hospitality. Blessings on all who came and shared fellowship and food. Thanks to the Staff-Parish Relations Committee for helping coordinate the celebration!
We are grateful for a Summer in Fairbury without the interruptions of a move! We are enjoying providing a temporary home for our son Benjamin, daughter-in-law, Jennifer and family as they transition to a three year Air Force deployment in Alaska.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
Followers of Jesus are set free for a life of freedom and faithfulness in Christ Jesus! Life is radically changed because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the gift of His Holy Spirit. We are free and stay free as we remain faithful to love God and others with all our heart, soul, and strength.
Resist the temptations to submit again to a yoke of slavery! Celebrations of Independence should be steeped in thankfulness for our freedom and determination to be faithful in all that has been entrusted to us.
We are privileged to share ministry as the body of Christ sharing the love of Jesus that can rescue and transform. A global pandemic, conflicts between nations and peoples, millions of babies aborted and orphaned, millions trapped in slavery, millions of refugees, and (B)illions hungry; evidence of how easy it is to submit again to a yoke of selfish slavery! Yet, we have the power of God to share the love of Jesus which frees from sin and death.
The Good News of God in Jesus Christ is that we have been set free; we can be faithful, and we do not need to submit again to a yoke of slavery! We may choose to live faithfully each day as radically formed followers of Jesus. God loves us and woos us to live in the truth of Jesus’ risen presence, by the power of his Holy Spirit in the fellowship of his Church. Seeking to lead people to real, personal, saving relationships with Jesus and show the love of God to everyone! We are not finished! God has a holy purpose for us today, to be Jesus’ Church!
Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ,
In Jesus, Paul and Nancy Wier