INSIDE EVERGREEN—April 23, 2025
New Life
This morning, my Scripture reading over breakfast brought me to Ezekiel 43. I love this chapter, partly because I spent about a year in it during PhD studies—reading it is like meeting an old, faithful friend; and partly because, even on the surface, without diving into its depths, you can see its major point: when the Lord’s kingship touches the earth, renewal is inevitable.
This is what we celebrate on Easter. Paul says that Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God [the long-expected king of Psalm 2] in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom 1). Paul meant “Easter is ground zero for the Lord’s kingship on earth.”
With the brightness of Easter in the rearview, may you now go forward with more consciousness of Christ’s renewing might.
As you trust him, he feeds your hungry soul.
As you wait for him, he secures hope for your physical healing.
As you seek him, you will find him, and then will come all the wisdom and courage and compassion that you need.
Jesus lives, and so do we!
New Staff
Here’s a wise saying: “Where hospitality is, there are no thorns.” That’s John Chrysostom from about the year 400, but it could also be someone at Evergreen Church, as we continue learning Paul’s directive: “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you” (Rom 15).
As part of our ongoing pursuit of Christ’s welcome, Tara Cornejo is joining the Evergreen staff as part-time ministry assistant. Hospitality, on Sundays and throughout the week, will be a major (though not sole) focus of her work. If you’re interested in opening your home to host, you may hear from her at some point, as we pursue more intentionality in extending the welcome of Christ, especially to new folks.
Tara will begin next Thursday, May 1, and I encourage you to join me in thanking the Lord for her and in praying for the Lord’s blessing on her service.
New Threads
As you might know, over the last year, Pastor Ian and I have made regular ministry visits to Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville. It has been a privilege for us to support Dee Vaubel and the excellent work of FITS (Freedom in the Son), as they disciple women in custody.
As we continue this service, starting this week we will be wearing clerical collars. A nurse on duty wears scrubs. An attorney with clients dresses professionally. An athlete in competition sports team gear. Clothing communicates purpose. That’s why already we wear robes in worship.
A clerical collar is a pastoral uniform. It identifies a pastor as, well, just that: a pastor, a person ordained to the ministerial work of Jesus Christ. At Coffee Creek, this matters. From the moment that we enter the facility, Pastor Ian and I want to identify with our purpose. We are not visitors on a social call; through Word and Sacrament, we are ministers proclaiming new life in Jesus.
In fact, this is always our identity, so don’t be surprised if you see a couple clerical collars around Evergreen too. But if you have questions, let’s talk. Even if briefly, this will be one of our many topics at the Congregational Meeting next Wednesday, April 30th.
As always, with Christian love and with daily prayers for the Spirit to fill you with hope,
Pastor Christopher