Dear Friend in Christ,
Sometimes it may seem that God is somewhere far away from us. We may want to go to Him and talk to Him, but we’re not sure how. Still, God wants us to feel close to Him. He doesn’t want to be a distant figure in our life. Instead, He wants us to truly think of ourselves as part of His “family.” Saint John the Evangelist wrote in his first universal letter, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so, we are.” (1John 3:1)
Throughout the year we get caught up in many other facets of daily life and routine. Let this year be the year we realize God in our family life. Let us welcome Him into our homes. Let us go to be with Him in His home, our Annunciation Cathedral. Let us always see ourselves as “children of God” and live accordingly.
Let this year be the year we renew our relationship to God and His Church. For although He may seem far away, He has been standing at the door of our hearts knocking, waiting to be welcomed in. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will dine with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
With these brief thoughts, I’d like to ask you to please set aside some time this week to examine your financial commitment to God through our Annunciation Cathedral, for the coming year. If you did not receive a Stewardship card in the mail, you can click here to submit your stewardship payment directly via credit card or PayPal.
Faithfully yours,
Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea