June 2024 Newsletter
As the school year comes to a close, I cannot help but give thanks. I am thankful to God for all He has done and continues to do in and through our school. I am thankful for the students of our school, our teachers and our subs, the parents who make the decision to send their child to St. John’s, and for all the support both congregations provide. Both churches give of their time to allow me to help lead at school. Both churches pray for the teachers and families at our school, and I know you all pray for me as well because many of you remind me that you are keeping me in your prayers. Thank you very much for those prayers! They are always very much appreciated!
While the apostle Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing, and the Psalms remind us of the effectiveness of the prayers of the righteous, we all find ourselves in those times when prayers are desired actively, where we can’t seem to figure out how the situation is going to work out without an act of God. We’ve all gone through those times when the need is so great or situation is so outside of our control that it is simply foolish to go it alone, figuring things out on our own. The second half of this school year absolutely fits into one of those times for me.
In the time I’ve been here I’ve walked alongside the school board as we’ve called teachers from within our church body. I’ve helped with the hiring process as we’ve contracted and hired teachers from without. Every time is an exercise in prayer and trust in God, but every time previous was only one new teacher. So while calling or hiring for two positions this time was something new, the need to call on God in prayer was the same. But to say it felt like every other time would be an understatement.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3 that God is able to do “exceedingly more” than what we ask for. That seems like a tall order, and yet it’s exactly what God expects of us. The hymnist writes in Come, my Soul, with every Prayer, “Large Petitions with thee bring: for His grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.” At risk of reducing the Lord God of heaven and earth to a divine vending machine, or Santa’s wish list, it is important to remember that our good and gracious Father loves us as His children. If what we ask for is not in accord with His will, He will not grant it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t ask. Even as the prophet Joel encourages the people to repent, and goes so far as to say, “Who knows maybe God will not [only] relent [of disaster], but also leave behind a grain or drink offering.” Seems like a bold ask amidst disobedience.
Ultimately, God granted His people more than a mere grain or drink offering but rather sent His own dear Son granting forgiveness and life to all who put their trust in Him. This indeed is certainly exceedingly more than we deserve to ask for, and yet He encourages us to come to Him not only for the forgiveness of sins but for all our needs of body and soul. As great as the gifts of God are, so great are our thanksgivings as well. Indeed, we give thanks to God for rescuing us from sin and death and granting us eternal life in Christ, but we also give thanks to God for providing teachers for the students of our school for the upcoming school year. As mentioned at the outset of all I am thankful for, the school requires both students and teachers, both parents and congregation. It requires the work and order of God’s will and providence amidst all of it. And in years like this one, it requires special thanks to God with providing us with subs to fill in at just the right time. As we give thanks to God for another school year having come to a close and for the gracious working of God amongst us, let us continue to look forward trusting that He will guide and watch over us as He ever remains “our hope for years to come.”
God’s blessings on your summer,
Pastor Nick
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