Occoquan Bible Church - Meet the Pastors

In Luke 2:1-7 we have a description of Joseph and Mary’s trip down the road to Bethlehem. We do not have a lot of detail in the description about this trip. Luke simply and succinctly tells us that “Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary…….” That must have been a stimulating and fascinating conversation as the engaged couple made the uncomfortable, inconvenient but necessary trek into Bethlehem. Would Mary have been happy and excited about traveling away from family some 70 miles to spend the night in a strange town so close to her delivery date? Imagine the questions that were on their minds. Despite their faith they must have entertained doubts about their future and sensed some anxiety about their direction, welfare and future.

We are a lot like Mary and Joseph this Christmas season. Even though we know God’s hand is upon us we find our minds racing with anxieties about the future. Despite being convinced of God’s love for us we live lives of pain, hardship, difficulty and turmoil. What will the economy be like in 2008? Can I count on my job security over the next few months? Will the health of my family improve or worsen in the coming year? Are my relationships with others going to improve or become more distant in this next year? God loves us enough to continually shed his surprising grace down to us in the exact time we need it (not too early, not too late). God repeatedly tells Mary, Joseph and the shepherds in the Christmas narratives, “do not be afraid”. Jesus wants us to live in His greeting “peace be with you.” So while we responsibly plan and prepare for the immediate future I want to wish you a peaceful Christmas this year and a restful, fearless New Year!

As a church we also prepare and plan for 2008 as we travel the Bethlehem road. As an Elder team we are looking forward to several important events this next year:

1) The installation of several new Elders and Deacons who will improve the shepherding and spiritual care of the flock at OBC

2) Training a pastoral youth intern who would minister to our youth and encourage our volunteers as well assisting with some general pastoral responsibilities at OBC

3) Focusing on specific, individual spiritual growth more than a frenetic increase in activities and programs

4) Finishing and refurbishing some of the building projects which we were unable to complete when we entered our building over 2 years ago

As you consider an end of the year gift to the Lord, would you consider the OBC finishing and refurbishing project which would among other things add carpet to the children’s classrooms downstairs and provide tile in the bathrooms which are used almost every day of the week. May God grant you a peaceful Christmas and a restful, fearless New Year!

Enthroning Jesus again and again,

Pastor Kyle