I hope this letter finds you well. I also hope that those of you who are back in the swing of the school routine have adjusted well and are enjoying the new year. I'm enjoying watching my grandchildren in their new school year learn and grow through both education and sports. I personally love watching them play basketball and look forward to that season, which will be here before I know it.

As we get ready to enter the Fall season, we will experience a refreshing of cooler temps and get to see how beautiful change can be as we watch the trees around us become colorful. It is always so re-energizing for me. I know I am also ready for cooler weather.

I want to encourage you to be a part of this refreshing and changing season by engaging in the growth and love of our church family. This new season at EWC will be about coming to understand more of what it means when we say, "Christ in me, the hope of glory."

The next five weeks we will be in a series called "Colossal Christ". This series was birthed out of reading Colossians with new eyes and a new understanding of how truly massive and astounding and beautiful Christ is. The extremely large and effective presence of God in our lives is constantly refreshing us and changing us so that we may know God better. The scriptures in Colossians really preach themselves. We will read these together and let the Spirit do what the Spirit always does: reveal God to us through them.

Your presence is so needed in re-establishing our understanding of what it really means to be part of the family of God. The church is not an organization. It is an organism. That means we are all connected together, making one body. Who you are and what you bring as we come together matters and makes a difference. I heard recently the body of Christ is likened to an orchestra, each member having a part and instrument to play. Sure, the single instrument sounds good being played at home alone. But when we all come together, we are able to truly make the most beautiful music. Together, we create a symphony of love and grace that is impossible to create alone. We need each other, and I'm so thankful to be connected to every single one of you.

Finally, we suffered a financial deficit over these summer months. This is not unusual as many families enjoy summer travel. And, we are confident that this deficit will be overcome. I ask that you please consider a one-time special offering to help us recover from this summer deficit. As always, we are so grateful for your faithful giving and your investment into the Kingdom

It is my joy to be your pastor and your friend. See you Sunday!

Sincerely,
Buren Goss