My Church Family

I’d like to give you a little insight into what I have been contemplating the last few months. As you know, I am honored to be your pastor and it is not a role that I take lightly. It is an honor and a privilege, but it is also a huge responsibility. I want to walk with you along your journey of faith and lead you into a deeper and more fulfilling relationship with Jesus Christ. I am continually trying to evaluate how I am doing with this task, as this is the task that Jesus will be judging me on as well. Though we are doing well, we don’t want to stand still either. We must continue to grow. Faith can never grow stagnant or it begins to die.

A few months ago during Lent, I said that it was a time to be selfish with our relationship with Jesus, to focus on how we can grow closer to HIM. Now, we need to focus on where we take that faith and use it to show the world that we have something special. We have something that they cannot get anywhere else, an incredible love that surpasses all understanding. We need to show that we have been called to be Christ disciples here in the 21st century. We need to show the world who Jesus is.

Bible Study gives us an opportunity to grow. I am really excited that our summer Bible Study class is in full swing. We meet on Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 7:30. We are learning together and having fun while we gain more insight about our faith. Though your schedules are already busy with activities, I encourage you to add one more for yourself. As our under- standing grows, so will our faith. Guidance will follow. And to think it all begins with one step! Bring your favorite bible and see what God wants to reveal to you. Each week will be a complete lesson, not built from the last, to allow for those busy summer schedules. So join us when you can – the more you know, the more you   grow!

This fall I have a program starting called The Story. The focus will be reading the bible as a continuum. This program will take us most of next year and allow time for additional events throughout.

We have really grown as a Family. That was very evident when you totally surprised me with the birthday party in May. I will be forever grateful. Thank you to everyone who was part of it. You all mean the world to me and I thank God that he has called me here to Union Church in Brimfield. You are an inspiration to me and inspire me on my faith journey. I look forward to all that we will do in the future together.

In Christ Love,
Rev. Stephen W. Barch