Greetings from Interim Pastor Scott Dunfee

Dear People of God at BSLC:

I am excited to be back at Beautiful Savior! Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Interim Pastor. My wife, Suzie, and I look forward to renewing acquaintances and meeting new folks. Realize that it's been six years since we were last at Beautiful Savior and I've served three congregations as Interim in that time. So, please don't be offended if we don't remember names. And, please, wear your name tags on Sunday mornings. Thank you! And thank you for the warm welcome I've experienced with people I've already encountered during the week!

Returning to a church one has served before, it's tempting for both People and Pastor to think they know each other. In some ways we do . . . and in some ways we don't. A lot has happened in six years–at BSLC, in your personal lives, and in the lives of the Dunfee's. A lot has happened in Vancouver, our nation and the world. We've all changed . . . and we will need to hear the stories and get to know each other again. Let's try not to make any assumptions, but graciously check things out.

One thing some of you will notice that has changed (besides me losing more hair and gaining some weight!)  is my preaching style. I now use the pulpit and a manuscript. With COVID came on-line worship and that required the use of a manuscript and being stationary for the camera. The opportunity to worship on-line is a good thing the Spirit of God brought out of the terrible tragedy of the pandemic. Just as we pray that God will bring good things out of this transition at Beautiful Savior. For that is always God's promise and the power of the resurrection. God is always and everywhere at work and “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to God's purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ—and to do that back in the worship space at Beautiful Savior—at 10am on April 5^th, I encourage you to look around and consider WHO IS MISSING? WHO IS NOT HERE . . . and could be or should be? If it is at all possible, I encourage you to contact people who haven't been around for a while and invite them back to Beautiful Savior for Easter. Or to join us on-line. Easter is about new beginnings. This time of transition is about new beginnings. And God is at work “making all things new”! (Revelation 21:5).

Suzie and I look forward to handshakes and/or hugs as we greet you on Sundays!

In Christ the Crucified and Risen One,

Pastor Scott Dunfee