A Message from Our Pastor, Reverend Tom Johnston

The motto that appears on all of our printed materials is “Where Lives Are Changed.” In other words, the Brick Church is a place where lives are changed. But someone might wonder, is positive, lasting change really possible? The Bible says it is, through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says in Romans 1:16, “The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” What is this power of the gospel? 

It is the power of God to change a person’s inmost being. When someone truly understands and believes the message of God's love and salvation in Jesus Christ, he gains a whole new outlook and attitude on life, which now sees things from the Lord's perspective. So dramatic is this change of heart that Jesus likens it to being born again.

Again, it is the power of God to change a person's outward conduct and behavior. The deep inner change of heart and mind which the gospel produces gives a person both the desire and the power to conform to Scripture's pattern of right living. It's the idea that if we make the root of the tree good, we thereby make the fruit of the tree good as well.

Once again, it is the power of God to make these inward and outward changes a permanent part of the be­liever's life. It is not that a Christian is some­one who never falters in his conduct or wavers in his faith; it is that if he does falter or waver, the gospel always has the power to put him back on the right track. It strikes a chord that always resonates in his heart.

This is the power of the gospel. It's the power of God to change people’s lives from the inside out in a positive and lasting way. We invite you to visit our congregation and to discover for yourself that the Brick Church really is a place “Where Lives Are Changed!”

We use The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, which, as Charles Swindoll states in the foreword, "maintains the continuity of history by including the hymns God’s people have sung for centuries. But there is also a variety in that more recent songs of praise have been included, giving a balanced blend of music.”

The choir, directed and accompanied by Marilyn Wagner, sings an anthem and other pieces which provide an alternation between the spoken and sung parts of the service.

Rev. Johnston preaches for 15 to 20 minutes in a way that is both faithful to the Bible and relevant to the modern world. His purpose in every message is to be helpful and encouraging to men and women, boys and girls, as they trust in Jesus Christ and endeavor to honor him with their lives.

Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation remains seated in the pews while the Deacons distribute the bread and grape juice. Our communion table is open to all confirmed children and baptized adults.

On the first Sunday of each month, during the time of the offering, a second plate is passed. This collection goes into our Deacon’s Fund. The money in the Deacon’s Fund is disbursed at the discretion of the Consistory and is used exclusively to help people in need.