Dear Central,

To say that 2020 has been unusual and a challenge is an understatement that belongs in the Hall of Fame of understatements. During this pandemic, our collective experiences have ranged from “stay at home” orders to job interruptions and losses to becoming adept at PPP and stimulus checks to “work from home” to educating children remotely to figuring out what bow tie goes with which mask. As a church, you’ve experienced stress, grief, frustration, and loneliness. And you’ve said goodbye to John and Debbie and hello to me. It has been one topsy-turvy, windy-twist of a year – and it isn’t quite over.

And yet, throughout this crazy year, we’ve also witnessed God’s faithfulness. While our ability to do things the way we’ve done them in the past has been hampered, we are still able to gather on Sundays to worship – albeit remotely. But even in that, we can thank God that we have that capability. And, throughout the summer and fall, we figured out ways to safely meet on porches, pavilions, and neighborhoods. Smalls groups continue to connect and discipleship resources have been made available for adults and kids alike. We were even able to have a hybrid women’s conference before the uptick in cases. We’ve continued to support missionaries here and around the world. We’ve even been able to meet with some of them during ACE on Sundays via Zoom. God is good. God is at work – even during a pandemic.

We’ve also seen your faithfulness to the work that God has called us to do. Thank you for the ways that you have generously given and shown your commitment to enabling ministry both here and around the world! Thank you for your generosity in giving to Central – even as we continue to figure out how to know Jesus and make him known with the world in the state that’s in right now.

As you are probably aware, the month ahead is a crucial one for Central. Almost a third of the annual budget comes from giving in November and December. I’d like to ask you to prayerfully consider how you might continue to support what God has called us to at Central. If the Lord so leads you, you can give a one-time gift or set up recurring giving online on our website  - www.centralpc.org/give.

Again – God is good. God is faithful. He will see us through.

Pastor Mark