Pastor’s Pulpit

Such a Warm Welcome!
While the weather continues to be quite chilly—your welcome has been very warm and friendly. I am blessed to be at Risen Christ. Feel free to reach out to me via email ([email protected]) or via cell phone—616.437.1891.

I hope you will sign up for a “household interview” so you and I can really get to know one another. See details below.

Some are asking me—“What can I do to help my church family during this season of transition?” That is a great question. My answer—transition is a great time to re-energize your prayer life.

Will You Pray?

How about adding the following prayer topics to your regular prayer time?

  1. Those who are grieving the loss of a dear friend in Pastor Brad Viken.
  2. All of us to experience a renewed trust and hope in God’s provision for today and the future.
  3. The Church Leaders and I to become a healthy and joyful team as we start serving to-gether.
  4. Our Board of Directors to have wisdom and peace as they lead and process transition.
  5. Our Elders to have peace and compassion as they support members in transition and ex-perience their own transition.
  6. Our School Staff and School Families that God continues to bless this vital partnership in making lifelong disciples of Jesus.
  7. All of us, that God will transform us more and more into the image of Christ for the good of others.

A Bible Reading Challenge for Lent
The Bible Reading Challenge is reading the four short chapters of Colossians one time every week for the month of March. That’s 95 power-packed verses that the Holy Spirit can use to do His work in you and through you.
Are you up for the challenge?
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Members and School Friends—I want to Hear from YOU
I am having such wonderful “Household Interviews” with the members and friends of Risen Christ. Now is the time to sign up and join this great time for listening and encouraging one another in Christ. Email the church office to reserve your time to chat.
I wish you could sit in the room with me and hear these heartfelt conversations. The next best thing is that I will summarize all of these conversations and share the insights and attitudes of each in my Phase 1 Report after Easter.

New Preaching Series: “—In Christ”
Our new Preaching Series starts Sunday, March 1 and is based on the book of Colos-sians with an eye toward encouraging members and friends of Risen Christ to live our life to-gether– In Christ. It is not based on a “problem” at Risen Christ —it is based on the solution to all of life—the sufficiency of Christ.
March 1 theme is “Grace and Truth” based on Colossians 1:1-14. I encourage you to read these few verses or even take the Bible Reading Challenge.


Blessings on your Journey through Lent to the Empty Tomb!
Pastor Scott