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Hi everyone! I hope you’re having a wonderful week, and enjoying the sunshine that’s been brightening up our days. I’m certainly liking it! Diane and I are praying that it stays with us for this next week or so - especially because we’re going to be away camping for a few days and it’s always nicer to camp in the sunshine than in the mud.  Either way, we’re looking forward to a short break, though we’ll miss seeing you all on Sunday.

In my absence, you’ll be happy to hear that Gerry Teichrob will be at church to visit and to bring a message from God’s Word. Many of you know Gerry well from the days when he served as our transitional pastor, back around 2016-2017. Those who remember him will be excited to chat with him again, and to hear his special mix of thoughtful truth and friendly humor. Those of you who’ve joined WVBC since and who don’t know Gerry will enjoy the chance to get to know him just a bit. I’ve always appreciated Gerry over the years that we’ve been friends. I’m very glad he’ll be joining worship on Sunday.

This means I can’t offer any advice today for those who want to read ahead in preparation for Sunday’s message. So, you’ll have to come prepared for a surprise! What I can do is to give you a heads-up on the reading for the following week. On June 8, we’ll continue our study in some OT prophets, with a look into the ministry of Nathan.

Yes, we’re going to tackle another prophet who isn’t well-known, whose life is mostly a mystery to us now. The Bible tells us very little about where Nathan came from, what he did, how long he lived, etc.  Nevertheless, it assumes that Nathan was an important individual. He seems to have served as the go-to advisor for King David. He counseled David about the building of a temple for Yahweh, and it was Nathan who communicated God’s intention to use David’s family line to bring the Messiah. Nathan is the one who challenged David when he sinned with Bathsheba. And when David was old and his sons began to joust with one another to see who would take over the throne, Nathan was instrumental in making David aware and guiding him in arranging for Solomon to succeed as king. As Samuel anointed David, so Nathan was the prophet who would anoint Solomon. Beyond all those things, Nathan was also one of the individuals who kept records of what was going on in the kingdom, which ultimately led to the writing of 1,2 Samuel, 1,2 Kings, and the books of Chronicles. (See 1 Chronicles 29:29 and 2 Chronicles 9:29.)

So, Nathan is a prophet who certainly deserves a little of our attention as we tour through the museum of Israel’s prophetic leaders this spring. I’m looking forward to learning from him together with you. If you’re wanting to read ahead for June 8, the key passages are 2 Samuel 7 and 2 Samuel 12, though you may also be interested in the story in 1 Kings 1 for larger context.

Meanwhile, have a wonderful week and a terrific Sunday with Gerry. God bless you all richly and use you as channels of His blessing to everyone around. See you soon!

Pastor Ken