April, 2026

Dear Shaeffer’s Chapel Saints,

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” These words from Ecclesiastes 3:1 are as true now as they were in the ancient times they were written (or even in 1965, when the Byrds made a hit song from that line). What would December be without the anticipation of Christmas? What would March be like without the NCAA basketball tournament (which I’m watching as I write this)? What would summer be without travel, fireworks, and sweltering Mississippi heat?

As we head into April, that usually means one thing in the church, Easter. In the same way the foliage returns to the limbs of trees, the sun begins kissing our faces, and critters start roaming around our property, we know this season in the church as a time of celebrating new life in Jesus’ resurrection. For this season, there is a time to enjoy the gift of hope in Jesus rising from the grave and all that means for us.

But not all of April will be Easter. A few days before, of course, we remember Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, much more somber days of recalling Jesus’ betrayal and death. Also, once the joy of Easter subsides, we will go back into our normal routine of worship for a while until Pentecost. The church calendar reminds us of the swings of seasons in our own lives. There are times of immense joy as much as there are times of deep sadness, and there are probably more just “business as usual” than anything else. The late biblical scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann reminds us that Christians constantly live our lives between Good Friday and Easter, swinging back and forth between these two extremes. Similarly, the apostle Paul informs us that we live in a time in which Jesus has risen from the dead, but sin and death still have a strong sway over us, only to be finally conquered when Christ returns. (1 Corinthians 15)

So whatever season you find yourself in, know that it is just that, a season. For good times, there will be bad to humble us. For bad times, the good times will return. And, best of all, the God who died on the cross, rose from the dead, and lived most of his life as a normal person (the Gospels only tell us about 3 of his 33 years!), is with you in whatever season you find yourself. Thanks be to God.

Grace and peace,
Drew

December 1st, 2025

Dear Shaeffer’s Chapel Saints,

The season of Advent is upon us, which means we are counting down the days until the arrival of Jesus. Advent is a season of patient waiting, watching for God to bring the Messiah who will save us. This is, of course, not how we usually spend our Decembers. Like a lot of preachers, I get a little irked when we celebrate Christmas too early— we sing hymns about Christ’s birth, we put baby Jesus in our manger scenes, we give presents early— all before Jesus is born. But the older I get, the more I realize one curmudgeonly preacher isn’t going to change the culture.

Still, I will do all I can during this season to help us wait. Each Sunday in Advent, we focus on one aspect of waiting for Jesus’ birth. We hope for what is to come. Trusting in God to bring the salvation we need, we live in peace. As the Messiah’s time gets near and signs of his coming become clear, we have joy in anticipation. And we get the assurance of God’s love that confirms our patience.

As our guide to the hope, peace, joy, and love of waiting for Jesus this season, we will turn to the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah lived seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, but he could see Christ’s arrival. This is because Isaiah had an intimate relationship with God the Father. Knowing the character of God, Isaiah was able to proclaim God’s hope, peace, joy, and love that would hold over his people until the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus— even if many centuries would pass until those prophesies could be fulfilled.

In the Holland house this year, we will try to hold off on giving gifts and over-decorating until the 25th. Join us if you wish. But, more importantly, join us in worship this month as we express our longings for the coming Messiah, the one who will be Emmanuel, God with us. God has been faithful for thousands of years by giving his hope, peace, joy, and love— even before the coming of Christ. And God will be faithful again in 2025. He will come on His time, not ours. Lord, help us to patiently wait for you and trust in your coming goodness. Amen.

Grace and peace,
Drew

October 31st, 2024

Dear Shaeffer’s Chapel Saints,

Hasn’t God been busy around our church lately? We began October with a busy Lunch and Learn, in which we not only enjoyed great fellowship, but got to dive into our Wesleyan roots and understand more about why we believe what we believe.

We started four new Sunday School classes this month, two for children, one for youth, and one for parents. I have been so energized by the response to these classes and how many of you have stepped up to both lead and be open to this new opportunity for your family’s growth in discipleship.

We ended the month with a rousing homecoming Sunday that was the ideal picture of who we are as a church. We had celebrated God with passionate worship, ate some scrumptious food, and deepened our relationships.

All of this builds on our already-solid foundation of praising God weekly in worship and diving into God’s Word through our small groups. Thanks be to God for his steadfast faithfulness over this last month.

We fully expect God to challenge us, love us, and surprise us in November. Our Fall Festival is scheduled for the 2nd. Our Charge Conference, the annual gathering with other GMC churches to elect local leaders and gather in worship, is set for the 10 th over in Amory. We will continue our usually rhythm of worship on Sunday mornings at 9, fellowship soon after, and study of the Word at Wednesday night Bible study and Sunday School.

Let’s keep our eyes open to God’s work among us this month. And let’s keep on fulfilling our mission: Growing in love because we care and because you count.

Grace and peace,
Drew