Pastor’s Report ~ October 2007
“I am the Lord’s servant”, Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”
Luke 1:38
Mary has been told she will bear a son and his name will be Jesus. Mary, just a teenager and not yet married. What an impossible task she has been called to do. But nothing is impossible with God. Sometimes we are called to do seemingly impossible tasks. Sometimes the burdens seem too heavy to bear. But nothing is impossible with God
I rejoice with you as we see how God works in our midst. God continues to open doors of opportunity for us to minister in the name of Jesus. Together we seek to walk with Jesus; we seek to encourage one another along our pilgrim journey.
I give thanks always for each of you and the parts you play in our shared ministry here at Tabernacle Baptist, for we labor together to carry out the work of God in this place. Sometimes, like Mary, the tasks before us seem overwhelming. It is with God’s grace that we are able to reach out with loving arms to support those struggling with special needs. A hug, a care basket, a note of cheer, a donation to the food bank, an extra gift to help someone in need or to support our own missionary, Tara Marchant, as she prepares to go to LaRomana - - these are all ways in which we collectively carry out our vision to allow the love of Jesus the Christ to take shape in the believer and the believing community. Together we seek to live out Christ’s love in the world. Together we witness to the good news of Jesus Christ
Much of the work of our ministry is carried out by those who faithfully serve as officers and board members. These efforts are reflected in their reports. As your pastor, I continue to visit those who are homebound or in care facilities. I am also available to meet with those who are carrying special burdens or have a need for spiritual support, especially during the grieving of the death of a loved one, or when undergoing hospitalization, or when seeking to discern God’s direction in life.
It is my privilege to be a part of our wider shared ministry as I serve on the Envisioning Team with our ABCORI Executive Minister, Liliana Da Valle and as I represent our American Baptist Churches on the Governing Board of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches.
Like Mary, I am the Lord’s servant. It is my prayer that I will be faithful to God’s call on my life that it may be to me as God says. Will you pray with me that we may faithfully discern God’s direction and vision for us as a covenanting community of faith? Let us rejoice and move forward in faith as we enter into this thirteenth year of our shared ministry here at
Joyously in Ministry,
Joyce B. Duerr, Pastor
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