• Today’s post is built around two photographs of Rebekah (both taken in her office, but 17 years apart), and one of The Church.

One of the important truths I want to draw attention to this first Sunday of the month is what this faith community is all about here at First Presbyterian Church of Brandon.

So I’ll begin with this photograph of the pastor, Rebekah Maul. It’s one of those iconic images that says a lot about the situation. Her office is pretty much empty. So empty, in fact, that around 50 good-sized boxes of books and supplies are now sitting in the pastor’s study at Wake Forest, waiting to be emptied in a couple of weeks.

Rebekah is preaching today, and next week too. And she’s been busy with visits and meetings and various pastoral duties. But, to a large extend, this church has already hit the forward gear and is moving on into the immediate future with purpose, with vision, with belief… and without us.

Because this picture isn’t a photograph of First Presbyterian Church, Brandon, it’s a photograph of Rebekah Maul in an almost empty office.

IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS: Now THIS (left) is a photograph of First Presbyterian Church. I picked the image because it features young people making a commitment; it has pastor Tim Black front and center; t has a sanctuary full with faithful followers of The Way; and it has Rebekah, too, immersed in the worship hour that was 100% focused on Jesus.

I make this point this morning for a couple of reasons. First, I believe in the ministry of this church with all my heart. Rebekah has poured herself into training leaders, encouraging disciples, and equipping saints. Consequently, Sunday worship is simply a beautiful experience where we gather together to celebrate what God is already doing here all week long. That’s not something that revolves around a particular preacher, it’s something that requires an active, living, community of faith.

The other reason I’m making this point this morning is my constant invitation for those of you in the Tampa Bay area to make First Presbyterian your church home. This is the kind of atmosphere where tentative faith can be strengthened, where lost faith can be regenerated, where emerging faith can be nurtured, where the curious can learn more, and where those who want to serve can find something meaningful and important to do. This church is going to be that kind of a church regardless; the people in this photograph are going to make sure of that.

WORSHIP: So please come to worship today, 8:30 or 11:00. Then come again next week, the times are the same. Then keep coming back, because this is a place where we can all move forward with regard to our greatest need as human beings, and that is our relationship with the Living God.

Just two more Sundays, and then Rebekah and I will be pursuing the same vision in North Carolina. Same God; same passion; same compelling human need….

In love, and because of love – DEREK