Sunnyside Council Member-Elect Takes Turn In Pulpit

Sunnyside Council Member-Elect Don Vlieger took a turn in the pulpit at First Baptist Church this past Sunday.  Mr. Vlieger is an Elder at the church, and was asked to be the guest preacher during the planned weekend absence of Dr. Michael Hughes, the church’s pastor.

Mr. Vlieger’s sermon took place on the first Sunday of Advent, when Christians around the world mark the season in preparation for the “coming” of Christ, which is observed during the time leading up to Christmas Day.

His sermon topic was “Grow Up” and focused on scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:11-13:

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)

Mr. Vlieger told the congregation that he was honored and humbled that anyone would want to hear words that he had to speak.  He thanked those in attendance for allowing him to preach.

He is not the only Sunnyside politician to preach in the community; Council Member Nick Paulakis is a church pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Sunnyside.  Mr. Paulakis is a guest speaker at the Union Gospel Mission as well.

Reference:

First Baptist Church, Sunnyside, Washington