From the Pastor

Dear Friends,

In a rapidly changing world, it is apparent that the old ways and yesterday's methods often do not work and may set us back. Yes, the Bible tells an old, old story, but that story is about a God who does new and mighty things. In Isaiah, God says, "See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way the desert and streams in the wasteland." This is the God who splits the sea, stills the storm, and feeds the 5,000. This is the God who surprises us by dying on a cross and rising from the dead. How many residents of Palestine missed the arrival of their own Messiah because they thought of yesterday's program and yesterday's solution? They looked for a conqueror rather than a carpenter. Yet today we know that the achievements of Alexander and Caesar pale before what God accomplished in Jesus. This God of whom we read about in the Scriptures is the very same God who leads us in this time.

One of the steps toward building a stronger congregation is to look ahead, to anticipate, to trust that God has big plans for us. . . . Part of our responsibilities is to help one another see God's fresh vision for Oakland. Before we dive into this year's ministries by repeating yesterday's, let's open our eyes in anticipation, looking forward to new and great things.

[Excerpted from The Oakland Acorn: February 2012 Issue]