One of the blessings of serving the Lord over many years is learning that while seasons change, the faithfulness of God never does. Summer has been filled with opportunities to serve, worship, and see the Lord at work in the lives of His people. As we now turn our attention toward the fall, I find myself filled with gratitude for what God has done and anticipation for what He will continue to do among us.
The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Those words seem especially fitting as we enter this fall semester. Ministry is often accomplished through countless ordinary acts of faithfulness—praying, serving, giving, encouraging one another, and faithfully gathering with God’s people week after week. While those acts may sometimes seem small, the Lord delights in using them to accomplish His eternal purposes.
I hope you’ll plan to be with us for our Quarterly Ministry Celebration on August 16. We will gather in the Fellowship Hall to share a meal, hear testimonies of God’s faithfulness, and celebrate what He has been doing through the ministries of Eastmont. These evenings are always an encouragement because they remind us that God is continually at work—often in ways we may not see from week to week.
One visible reminder of God’s ongoing work is our Refresh & Renew renovation project. Some weeks, the progress is noticeable, and others, the work is all behind the scenes. It has been exciting to watch these improvements take shape, but even more encouraging has been witnessing your continued generosity. Throughout the summer, your faithful giving has remained steady, and I want to thank you for your commitment to this ministry. As the project moves toward completion, I encourage you to continue praying and giving faithfully. Together, we are preparing spaces that will serve generations of children, students, families, and guests who will hear the gospel and grow in Christ within these walls.
This fall also provides us with unique opportunities to strengthen our fellowship as a church family. On August 23 and August 30, all of our student and adult Bible study classes will gather together in the sanctuary for a combined time of teaching led by our pastoral staff. While we greatly value each of our individual classes, these two Sundays will allow us to gather around God’s Word as one church family, reminding us that we share one faith, one mission, and one Savior. I hope you’ll make every effort to join us as we seek the Lord together.
I am also excited about our upcoming sermon series through the book of Acts. Few books remind us more clearly that the church exists because of the power of the risen Christ working through His people. As we walk through Acts together, I pray we will not simply learn about the early church, but that we will be challenged to live with the same dependence upon the Holy Spirit, the same devotion to God’s Word, and the same passion for making Christ known. The Lord who built His church in the first century continues to build His church today, and we have the privilege of being part of His work.
I look forward to seeing all that God will accomplish as we follow Him together this fall.