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Message from the Pastor - Ken Radant

Hi everyone!  I trust you’re having a good week, and squeezing as much enjoyment as you can out of these summer days.

This is the summer of WVBC trivia, so here’s a fresh batch. Did you know that the total gift revenue for our church in 1925 was $255.80? Can you imagine running the whole church on $250 in a year? Things have changed a little over 100 years, haven’t they?  Our church has always been generous, eager to give of their material resources as well as their time and energy to serve Christ’s Kingdom. That was a lot of money in the ‘20’s. I’m grateful that the same attitude of stewardship persists today—though I must confess, I do sometimes fantasize about what would happen if a dollar stretched as much today as it did back then!

Other things that have stretched are our congregation size and the space needed to house us. I mentioned a few weeks ago that our first one-room church building was built in 1922. Did you know that it proved to be inadequate by 1930, so a building committee was formed to plan for an expansion? That year, with the help of volunteer labor, WVBC added an additional 15 feet to the building. I’m trying to picture how many chairs would go into that additional 15 feet of floor space, and how that would impact the young church’s life. It must have been a very exciting project, though it sounds modest to us today. We’re incredibly privileged to be able to gather and worship in such a beautiful and comfortable facility today. I’m reminded afresh that these blessings we enjoy rest on the sacrificial work and support of generations of brothers and sisters who came before us. May we leave a rich legacy to those who will worship after we are gone, should our Lord’s return not come first.

Well, more history in the weeks to come. For the present, I’m pleased to let you know that this week our Regional Minister, Larry Schram, will be joining us and preaching on Sunday morning. It’s always a delight to host Larry and to receive our Lord’s Word through him. For any who have not heard, this may be the last time Larry visits us in this capacity, as he will be retiring from his district role at the end of 2024. Many of you have come to know and appreciate Larry. I know you’ll welcome him warmly, and am confident that he will enjoy the chance to visit with you on Sunday. If you’re reading ahead in preparation, I’m told that he will be speaking from 1 Kings 17 and the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.

Sadly, I won’t be able to join this Sunday, as Diane and I will be heading off on a couple weeks of summer vacation camping. But we will be praying for you all as you gather to worship and as you walk the path of Jesus together in these next few weeks. Have a wonderful rest-of-July! We’ll think of you often, I’m sure, though perhaps not while we’re sleeping in, dozing in the hammock, or watching for whales from the beach. Blessings!