For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:
we spend our years as a tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
So, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
(Psalm 90:9-12)

Greetings to each of you, my beloved in the Lord.  In Psalm 90:9-12, we learn in this prayer of Moses why we need to approach life with wisdom.  For example, a typical lifespan in Moses’ era was 70-80 years (which is similar today).  Consequently, all of us should do all we can to enjoy life in spite of this pandemic and everything else that concerns us.

As I shared on last Thursday, I have a spirit of thanksgiving.  Without specifying how, allow me to say that St. John has been so good to me in so many ways, and I just cannot thank God enough for such a great, caring and supportive congregation (supportive spiritually and financially).

Today, I appeal to everyone to support my divine vision for St. John.  We are “Reaching Others For Christ,” and the building project (Family Life Center and Parking Lot) at the North Campus will be an additional avenue for us to do this.  I cannot thank those of us enough who have supported St. John financially, especially in the last five months since we have not been able to assemble together.  Because of us, our church is still experiencing a net gain monthly; however, I would like for everyone to do what God has blessed us to do.  I am asking for equal sacrifice which is fair and reasonable rather than equal giving because everyone cannot give the same, but everyone can give to the sacrificial extent that God enables us to give.

Help relieve some of the pressure that I feel, as your pastor, by faithfully giving your Tithes and Offerings.  If you have not fulfilled your Building Fund pledge, please do so.  If you have not pledged or contributed to the Building Fund, please do so.  I am still determined to navigate our congregation through this multimillion-dollar project without having to borrow money from a bank or anyone.  In other words, I want us to be debt-free upon its completion.

This can only happen by God through each of us.  Hence, I appeal to everyone to give generously and regularly by mailing or dropping off your Tithes and Offerings to our St. John South Campus (662 South 52nd Street—Richmond, CA  94804) or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org).  My appeal to each of us is biblical, for instance, Malachi 3:8-10 reads:

⁸  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have   we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

 

⁹  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

 

¹⁰  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

In addition to giving, I encourage everyone to participate in our Online Ministries (sjmbc.org).  My son, Kevin Jr. has designed an outstanding website for our church which he frequently maintains and updates.  Our website provides a wealth of information and connections designed to assist us, especially during this pandemic.  For example, I strongly encourage everyone to participate in our Online Bible Study each Wednesday evening.  We were blessed weekly through the teaching of Min. Marvin Saucer, and now we are blessed to have Dr. Lyman Alexander to teach and walk us through the Book of Ephesians.

In conclusion, I still need your prayers because I am still in recovery.  My doctor told me to function at 50% of normal and gradually increase which has proven to be good advice because I am improving daily.

Your Servant In Christ,

Pastor Kevin B. Hall