Blessings to you, beloved friends and family.

When I wrote to you earlier in the week, I was not certain whether we would be having services this week after Pastor David’s unexpected departure for Heaven.  I’m glad to report that services will be held.  I’m sure that is what he would want us to do.  The next Sunday, June 3, will be a memorial service for him.  We’ll be starting a little earlier at 2:00 that day.

This Sunday will be a regular service and I want to share some hope.  It would not be unreasonable to wonder how we go forward from here.  It takes a certain number of people to do what we do.  Just getting people to church becomes a greater challenge as fewer of us are able to help.  Many who are still able are less able than they used to be with various health problems.  We need a miracle.  Maybe a few of them.

Well we serve a miracle worker!  I’m in a small men’s Bible study group that has been in the book of Nehemiah the last few weeks.  In our discussion this morning, I believe I sensed the Holy Spirit showing me what we need to hear during this trying time.

The book opens with Nehemiah getting news that the city of Jerusalem was in ruins.  It had been destroyed decades before by the Babylonians.  Nehemiah was grieved by this knowledge and immediately began to pray to God.  His prayer was heard, and he would soon be on his way with authority and support from the king of Persia to rebuild the city.  We’ll read from Nehemiah 2:17-18. as he shares his vision with the people and they bet to work.  God kept the promise He made to His people that after their exile from the land they would be brought back.

This year, Bartimaeus Baptist Temple will celebrate sixty years of ministry.  We’re a bit smaller than we used to be.  It won’t be the same without Pastor David there, but we have not lost the mission!  We have the king’s authority.  He’s the King of kings and Lord of lords!  More than sixty years ago He gave David’s father Don Whitmore a vision that there needed to be a church that would meet the needs of people with disabilities.  Pastor David carried that vision forward, and it has not changed.  With the certainty that comes from knowing that our task is given us by no less than the creator of the universe, we will rebuild, and we will come back stronger than ever!  If all of us will work together like the people of Jerusalem building that wall, we will see the power of God!

Please come and join us.  We’ll miss him.  We’ll grieve that we won’t see him again for a while, but we’ll also rejoice in the Lord who gives us that hope that we will see him again, along with all of those who have gone before.  Let’s fill the place up and make this a service that would make him smile.