Each year as we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays, I like to look back on the many blessings God has given us. St. John’s has the unique gift of being right in the heart of Old Town Saginaw. We are in the middle of the area where the “Saginaw Miracle” is taking place. Crime has been dropping significantly, new apartments and shops are cropping up all around us and there is a genuine sense of vitality that is taking hold in the city. The restoring of the storefronts in Old Town reminds us of the connection between Saginaw’s rich past and future. A big part of this Saginaw Miracle is the continued labor of love that so many people are performing to better their community. Neighbors helping neighbors, free concerts and film festivals that bring people together and of course people gathered in faith and prayer are all making a difference. I am grateful to the members of our church for the part played in making this miracle happen.
Another thing that I am feeling grateful for is our new baby who is due at the end of November. When we are not being overwhelmed by the thought of three kids, it is a reminder of the goodness of God, who desires that life continue, that our young be brought up in the knowledge and love of the Lord. The investment that St. John’s has made in our youth programs over the years is just one small way that we have acknowledged that blessing. My hope for us is that these holidays will be a time of reflecting on the blessings that God has given us and looking for ways to be a blessing to others in Christ’s name.