May 9, 2025

Dear Friends, 

After a couple Sundays away it is good to be back for the last several weeks of my time with my Glenbrook family. Gwenna and I were glad to travel to Kelowna to visit with our family. It was good for us to spend some time with Glenn (Gwenna’s dad) and Marg who appreciated seeing us.  Kelowna is located in British Columbia’s beautiful Okanogan region, well known for it’s wine and fruit production. The weather was spectacular with spring blossoms in full bloom in orchards and gardens.

This Sunday I am going to begin a sermon series on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

In Acts 16 we learn that Paul on his second missionary journey (50 AD) encountered a small group of “God-fearers” (gentiles who identified with the Jewish faith) in the city of Philippi. One of their leaders was Lydia, a business woman, who owned a fabric business and who was baptized, becoming a follower of Jesus through the teaching of Paul. History tells us that Lydia's house becomes the site for the new church in Philippi, with her as host and leader. A decade later Paul is in prison and he remembers with great pastoral affection the Philippian community. “Joy” is a word that Paul uses multiple times in his letter to characterize his relationship and his gratitude for their support of his ministry, even during his imprisonment. Paul, in his absence encourages the church to continue growing in love,  faithfulness and unity anticipating his release and a future reunion “on the day Christ”.  Though the context is much different, I can identify with the Apostle Paul’s joy and gratitude towards this beloved congregation. It is my hope to encourage our Glenbrook community to continue to grow in the love of Christ, in fellowship, faithfulness and unity through this study over the final weeks of my time with you. 

This Sunday is also Mother’s Day and so I want to extend to all the mothers, grandmothers and mother figures in our congregation the blessing of God for all that you are and do for those you love and care for. Happy Mother’s Day.

Blessings

Pastor Ian