Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church

112 West Pike Street

Canonsburg, PA  15317

Phone:  724-745-0800  Fax:  724-745-0815

August 6, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to our God…and I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns…So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God…[and] God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”                   (Philippians 1: 1-8, NLT, emphasis mine)

These words of Paul and Timothy, written to church in Philippi, have been the foundation of my prayer time over the last several weeks as I, my family, Pastor Tom, Session and the Personnel Committee have been listening to God’s voice for discernment through this time of transition.  I can’t begin to tell you how blessed, privileged, and humbled I am that God has called me to serve you and our community in the capacity of Director of Leadership Development.  I am so excited to see what God has in store for us as we continue to pursue His mission and vision for the Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church together. 

I am so thrilled by this opportunity to serve you and I would like to thank you for all of your love, prayers and support over the last several months.  Please keep my wife Kelly, son Carter, soon-to-arrive “baby girl” Barrett and me covered in prayer as we continue to walk with great faith in His steps!  

In closing, my continued prayer for all of us – again using the words of the great apostle Paul – is that “[our] love will overflow more and more, and that [we] will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want [us] to understand what really matters, so that [we] may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return…          

(Philippians 1: 9-10, NLT, emphasis mine)

As we continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to our members, our community, and the world over with Care, Compassion and Christian Love, remember to always Keep the Faith, and Keep it Real! 

I look forward to meeting you soon, until then...God Bless!

Doug