March is here which means springtime is coming (very exciting) and so is daylight savings time (not so exciting). Even though we may lose an hour of sleep, I think the new life and energy that Spring ushers in more than makes up for it! As the Lord continues to show His faithfulness to us, one of my prayers for us as a church as we enter into a new season of the year has been - God breathe new life into us.
In winter, plants go into survival mode and I think we tend to do the same thing as we endure the spiritual “winters” of our lives. The days might be cold, dark, and barren, but we must not forget the words of the psalmist who says, “You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17). The same God who gives us summers, also leads us through winters. This is where our souls are comforted. If the Lord controls the seasons then we have assurance that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). All that we endure is for an ultimate purpose.
Perhaps we can acknowledge with one another that we have indeed been enduring a spiritual winter as a church body. A season of survival. A season of dormancy where it appears as if nothing is growing. Let me assure you that God has been faithfully at work in our midst. You see, the purpose of our winters (and a plant’s), is really for the roots. Our problem though is root growth is not as exciting as the blooms of spring or the harvest of fall so we find ourselves discontent. But if we think winter is tough, just wait until the scorching heat of summer! We will certainly be glad to have strong roots when that time arrives. And as we are able to endure summer like a tree planted by streams of water, we can rejoice in God’s underground work that was done in the previous winter that enables us to tap into His stream of living water. This is why it’s important to acknowledge what season we are in and remember it is the same God that sovereignly works in different seasons in different ways.
As spring approaches, will you join me this month in prayer that God would also lead us as a church family out of our spiritual winter, and breathe new life into us? That He would give us signs that springtime is approaching. Pray that love and joy would be budding in our hearts, eager to burst forth in beautiful bloom all in God’s timing. Pray that we as a church would anchor our hope not in a season but in the God who “changes times and seasons” (Daniel 2:21). Breathe new life into us God we pray.
Here are a few more things to pray for, lookout for, and get involved in this month:
Community Groups - signups will open soon and I hope you will consider committing to a group this semester.
Men’s & Women’s Bible Studies - Our Women meet the first Monday of each month (March 6) and our Men meet the third Monday (March 20). Hop in any time to get some reps in inductive Bible study. Currently, we are working through the book of Titus.
HRF Students Game Night - Tell your kids to wear their green and come join us on Friday night, March 17th for a time of fun fellowship.
Peninsula Rescue Mission (PRM) - We serve a meal and conduct a chapel service on the second Sunday of each month (March 12th this month). If you would like to learn more or get involved please reach out to Brent Sanders or Nate Andrew.
CareNet Walk4 Life Team - Erika Speight and Sandy Johnson (yep, Johnson, she’s married!!!) will be leading our team to represent HRF. If you would like to get involved please contact them.
International Fanny Pack Day - Ok, this was just to see if you read this far! But if you want to celebrate, the date is March 11.
Elder Posts on our 2023 Vision - We want to thank those of you who have provided feedback on our three areas of focus (God’s Word, Community, and Hospitality). Please be on the lookout for a series of posts here on the HRF Journal where we will unpack each area a little bit more.
It’s a joy to serve you all and I am eager to see what God has instore for us! Let us commit to praying over these things this month.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Paul