“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness,” (Psalm 115:1)

The first verse above is the verse I challenged Session with in September for working with one another. The second verse came to my mind as I have been reading through the book of Psalms twice a week during Lent.

Both of these verses not only set the tone and culture for us as a congregation at FPCH, they also demonstrate when done by believers in the God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit how, blessed we are as a people of God. This was demonstrated at our in-person Congregational meeting held on 14 March 2021. We were required by the Presbytery to hold an in-person meeting so that, we could sell the Gregory property. Even though consultation with our attorney and our attorney meeting with the Presbytery we were required to ratify or verify the sale of the Gregory property in person. This is for the legal protection of all entities involved. Because of this requirement we also took the opportunity to revise our church By-Laws so that, the By-laws explicitly state we can conduct business via electronic means. The Presbytery is asking this of all congregations. Again this is for our protection as an organization.

The results of the meeting were the passage of the sale of the Gregory property and a revision of the By-Laws.

What is amazing and a demonstration of the Spirit of God moving in and around Hollywood Pres is that, we have well over 100 people turn out for the congregational meeting. In the time of a pandemic and isolation you as the people of God answered God’s call. You gathered together for the sake of First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood and moved us as a congregation into a new era of ministry. A new era of adapting to the times in which we live.

Thank you for your passionate response in answering the call of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Pastors Tim and Joel