 As we reflect on the remarkable story of our nation’s beginnings, we remember that America’s Founding Fathers were more than statesmen, scholars, and patriots—they were individuals wrestling with profound questions of justice, human dignity, freedom, and the responsibilities of self-government.
Their vision was not perfect, nor was it fully realized in their own time. Yet they set forth an enduring aspiration: that people should have the opportunity to live with fairness, pursue liberty, worship according to conscience, and seek justice under laws designed to protect the rights of all. For many of the founders, faith and spiritual conviction were not separate from public life but part of the moral foundation that shaped their understanding of human worth and accountability. While they represented different religious traditions and personal beliefs, many expressed the conviction that rights ultimately came not from governments, but from a Creator, and that those entrusted with leadership carried a sacred responsibility to serve others with wisdom and integrity. Prayer was woven into many moments of the nation’s founding. During times of uncertainty, division, and sacrifice, leaders and alike sought guidance beyond themselves. They understood that building a new nation required courage—but also humility. Hope for the future was strengthened by faith that God’s providence could guide a people striving toward a more just and peaceful society. The founding generation envisioned a nation where religious freedom would flourish—not the freedom to believe only one way, but the freedom of conscience itself. This commitment opened the door for people of many backgrounds to seek God according to their convictions while living together as neighbors and citizens. Their work launched a continuing journey—one generation after another seeking to more fully embody the ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity. The promise of America has always depended not only on laws and institutions, but on the character, compassion, and faith of its people. Today, as we face our own challenges and opportunities, we are reminded that hope still grows where faith is nurtured, where prayer invites wisdom, and where communities commit themselves to fairness, mercy, and service. May we continue to seek a future marked by justice, strengthened by freedom, and guided by the enduring belief that together we can build a better tomorrow for all. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…" — Psalm 33:12
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 Becoming a People of Hope, Healing, and WholenessAs summer begins, I want to share both a personal note and an exciting invitation for our church family and community.
First, I will be away on vacation during the month of June and will return on July 5th. I am deeply grateful to Pastor Sue for graciously providing pastoral coverage while I’m away. Thank you as well to all of you who continue to faithfully serve, pray, encourage, and care for one another. Even while I’m away, ministry continues- and in many ways, something beautiful is beginning to grow among us. Over the past months, our Prayer Team has been prayerfully discerning how God may be calling us to more intentionally pray for our church, our neighbors, and our community. Out of that discernment has come a new initiative called “Covering the Community.” This is more than a program. It is a commitment to become people who actively carry the love, presence, compassion, and hope of Christ into the places where people are hurting, struggling, lonely, discouraged, or searching for hope. Beginning Monday, July 6, and continuing every Monday afterward, our chapel will be open from 11:00 a.m. to noon for quiet prayer. Prayer guides will be available for anyone who would like help focusing their prayers. Members of the Prayer Team will also be present for anyone who would like personal prayer. We will also be extending this invitation beyond our church walls- welcoming members of the community, including groups such as AA, the Dwyer Program, and others who may simply need a quiet and peaceful place to pray or be prayed for. Even if only one person comes on a given Monday, we believe something powerful happens when God’s people faithfully pray. Every week, someone will be intentionally covering our community in prayer. Then, on September 20, we will gather after worship for a shared meal before heading out into the community for a Prayer Walk. Those who are able will walk through neighborhoods praying for homes, families, businesses, schools, and the people we encounter along the way. If someone is open to it, we may even have the privilege of praying with them personally or receiving a prayer request from them. (Rain date: September 27.) On September 27, another part of “Covering the Community” will begin as individuals commit to regularly praying for specific streets and areas throughout the city. Prayer guides will provide information about community needs, concerns, and suggested ways to pray intentionally and compassionately for those who live there. We are stepping into all of this with expectancy. We believe God is already at work. We believe prayer changes things — including us. And we are looking forward to seeing many more “God Moments” as we pay attention to how God moves in our church, our city, and our own lives. As part of this initiative, we will also be creating “Covering the Community” t-shirts featuring our church name. We hope these shirts will serve not only during prayer events, but also in everyday life- a visible reminder that we are followers of Jesus seeking to love our neighbors, pray for our community, and let people know they are not alone. All of this is part of a larger vision: becoming a place of Hope, Healing, and Wholeness through Jesus Christ. This summer, our sermon series will help prepare us for that calling. Together we will explore what it means to become people who reflect God’s light and love into the world around us. The series will begin with “Living on the Vine” and continue through themes such as Unmasked, Unshaken, Untangled, Unstuck, Unending, Undoing, Unrestricted, and Uncommon. My prayer is that God will continue transforming us- shaping us into a people deeply rooted in Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, and ready to welcome others with grace, authenticity, compassion, and hope. Church family, I truly believe God is doing something among us. Let us continue praying. Let us continue listening. Let us continue following where God leads. And may we become a people who help cover this community in prayer, love, and the presence of Christ. In Christ’s Service, Pastor Sherry |
AuthorRev. Susan Hadley Archives
June 2026
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