A Message from Pastor Andrea Chaumont

Dear Mt. Baker Park Church,

This week I met with the Session and we discussed the table discussion groups that you participated in in January of this year. The words that were often used to describe Mt. Baker Park Pres. were “authentic, open, inclusive;” a sense that you can come as you are with your questions and doubts and be accepted and welcomed. 

It was also clear that studying the Bible together whether in small groups or in worship together on Sunday mornings is important to this congregation. The value of our strong music ministry and the way that music speaks beyond words came through in your responses. As I’ve met with many of you, I have been curious about where you see God at work in your midst? What are the strengths we can build on, the places where God might be asking us to let go? In some ways transition times can feel like wilderness seasons, and without the familiarity of known patterns and routines, we can be left wondering where provision and sustenance will come from. But as we will see in our passage this week, the wilderness is also a rich source of grounding, a place we are invited to reaffirm who we are and whose we are. Jesus does just this in Matthew chapter 4:1-12, what is often called “the temptation of Jesus.” Jesus reaffirms that he belongs to God and that he is in fact the Son of God (not Caesar). This week we pray alongside of Jesus “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We also will eat a meal together in the social hall below the sanctuary. Volunteers will be ready to help with accessibility to the social hall. I hope you will stay and join together for a Thanksgiving meal!

Blessings,

Pastor Andrea