Letter from Jon, February 2019 

 “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts..”
1 Corinthians 14:1
 
Dear Church Family
 
As you will be aware, last month we lost a dear member of our Church family, Jim Pollock, a man who loved God, loved this Church and served faithfully since the Church was formed 40 years ago.  There are many things we will miss about Jim (including a regular supply of trout from his fishing expeditions!), but one of the things I loved about Jim was his positive, faith-filled attitude.  He loved this Church and was always so grateful, loyal and supportive.  He was a man who looked to the future and was prepared to embrace change to see Liberty Church grow and flourish.
 
Whilst we mourn the loss of our dear friend, I am aware that there is a real sense of hope and expectation as we move forward this year, taking ground for the kingdom of God.  I have been excited by our Sunday preach series as we ask the question “What kind of people ought we to be?” and particularly as we have been focusing on the power and presence of God with us, and the spiritual gifts that God gives us.  I believe that if we are to take ground this year that a vital part of that is the growing expectation of God’s supernatural power at work in and through us. God is looking for a people who ‘eagerly desire’ his gifts, who will take them and use them to build His church and glorify His name.
 
In our 40^th year, as we celebrate together and as we physically take ground and move into our new home, I am sad that Jim will not be with us to celebrate these great things, but I also know that his desire would be that we continue to take ground and see the Church he loved grow and multiply, and the God he loves worshipped and exalted.
 
Let me encourage us to ask for more from God this year in the expectation that our God will bless us with his power and presence.
 
With much love and expectation
 
Jon