Dear Friends,
In my last letter, I shared my hope that after Pentecost we would journey together to
deepen our understanding of the Holy Spirit. When I began planning this series, I had a vision
and several ideas, but I also wanted to leave room for the Holy Spirit to lead us in ways I
could not fully anticipate. As we have walked through the Book of Acts together, I have
found myself learning alongside you.
Over the past several weeks, we have seen the Holy Spirit at work in remarkable
ways. The Spirit empowers all believers (Acts 2), welcomes unexpected people like the
Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8), transforms enemies into disciples like Paul (Acts 9), breaks down
barriers through Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10), redirects our plans and opens hearts in the
story of Lydia (Acts 16), and sustains God’s people through difficult seasons.
When I first envisioned this series, I thought we might cover the Holy Spirit’s work in
just a few weeks. Instead, I have discovered that we could spend years in the Book of Acts
and still only begin to appreciate the richness of the Spirit’s work. Every passage reminds us
that the Holy Spirit is not simply a doctrine to study but God’s living presence, actively
guiding, transforming, comforting, and sending the church into the world.
Because of that, we will continue our journey throughout July. Together we will
continue exploring Acts and several of Paul’s letters as we discover how the Holy Spirit
strengthens, guides, and sustains us in our daily lives and in the life of the church. My prayer
is that we will continue this journey with open hearts, allowing the Holy Spirit to surprise us,
challenge us, and lead us wherever Christ calls us.
Before I close, I am delighted to share some wonderful news. This month we
officially welcome our new Director of Music and Organist/Pianist, Nicholas DuVal.
Nicholas is originally from Florida and recently moved to Northeast Tennessee to pursue his
master’s degree at East Tennessee State University. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano
Performance and Pedagogy from the University of North Florida and is a gifted musician
who plays the organ, piano, violin, and other instruments. He also brings a deep appreciation
for church music and worship. I have already enjoyed getting to know Nicholas, and I look
forward to seeing how God will use his gifts to enrich our worship together. Please take a
moment to introduce yourself, welcome him warmly, and, if you have musical gifts of your
own, share them with him. I believe God has wonderful things in store for our worshiping
community.
Thank you for allowing me to walk this journey of faith with you. I look forward to
discovering together where the Holy Spirit will lead us next.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Ramy Marcos
Pastor