It’s Sunday, May 19, 2024. As I searched through the history of this date, the only event of great note was the execution of Anne Boleyn back in 1536. The second wife of Henry VIII of England was beheaded by a French swordsman after being tried and convicted of crimes including adultery, incest and conspiracy. Even though she was found guilty, it is more likely that the reigning monarch was looking for a way out of this marriage so he could marry Jane
Seymour, (wife number three) who might produce a male heir.

Boleyn was the cause of the end of Henry’s first marriage. Because the church wouldn’t allow divorce, the King would resort to eliminating them from determining his future. He then replaced the hold of the Catholic church with his own denomination – the Church of England. This added fuel to the beginnings of the Reformation movement in England. Anne would marry Henry secretly in 1533. During that time, she produced their first child, Elizabeth I. After several miscarriages, Anne finally in 1536 gave birth to a male child who was stillborn. Little did Henry VIII know, but the daughter born during his marriage to Anne Boleyn would become the first woman to become the reigning monarch one day. With Anne out of the way, Henry was free to marry Seymour in hopes of producing a son, but he would have to eliminate that wife as well.

With that tidbit of history, let’s move on a much more important event. Today is Sunday – a day where Christians gather to worship, give praise and thanksgiving and encourage one another. I am currently attending a church in search of a new Pastor. We’ve had a vacancy pastor for almost a year. We are growing to love this shepherd with each passing Sunday. Our congregation is made up primarily of retirees. Most of us are 60 or above. We’re all experiencing the effects of aging. Many have been recently hospitalized, had parts replaced, are nearing the final years of life and long for a permanent leader. As we gather each Sunday, this small congregation has not given up yet. It has been through many times of transition. Many of the current members are ones who physically built the church and put lots of sweat, money and love into it. My prayer for today is that God will bless this little country church and make it flourish again.

Growth will take time. It will take a concerted effort on the part of the existing membership to rebuild. Everything that God ordains is for the good of His people. A small church can be a mighty force for the Lord, but we need His help to guide us. Please pray with me and for my church, that God will provide the right person to lead us on a full-time basis. We’re ready for the challenge, even if it might seem impossible. God is known for His acts of turning impossibilities into possibilities.