October

Dear Sisters and Brothers: 

It truly was a joy to share Rally Day together. People returned from summer rest. There seemed to be a joy and excitement that pervaded the congregation. The singing was more joyful. The children once more experienced the joy of Children’s Ministry. The ice cream social and the celebrations after were filled with conversation and wonderful fellowship. Once more we encountered the reality that the journey of faith was never meant to be made on our own. The kingdom of God is about community, about sharing together the gifts of God. We are sorry some of you had to miss the weekend because it was a glimpse of what life in Christ is all about. But there are plenty of opportunities ahead. 

As we write this letter, Harmene will be this weekend and people will once more gather together to be inspired and renewed. We will gather to enjoy the gift of music and offer the gift of our resources to benefit the community in which we live. 

God’s Work Our Hands is coming up and, together, we will go out into the community with God’s love. We will touch people with food, with hard work, and with our caring presence. We will support each other as we go out with the love of God and share it so others might know and join us in this work. 

As the year continues we will gather for celebrations such as baptisms and weddings and we will gather in grief at funerals. We will study together and laugh together and reflect God’s grace and love to each other. 

God’s grace comes to us in people. God’s love embraces us with human hands. 

C.S. Lewis was right when he wrote: 

[God] works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, he works on us through each other. [People] are mirrors, or “carriers” of Christ to other [people]. Usually it is those who know him that bring him to others. That is why the church, the whole body of Christians showing him to one another, is so important. 

Community is a part of God’s wonderful gift of grace. Another way that God says to each of us – you are not alone. This is the church, come and find joy in our life together… and bring a friend. 

Yours in Christ, Pastors Cris and Dave