Isaiah 11:6 “…a little child shall lead them.”
These words ring so true to me each Sunday. You see at our 8 am service, Hannah and Eli always bring a friend to church with them. As part of my regular greeting to them, I ask the question. “Who did you bring to church with you today?” They smile as usual, and we begin a conversation about their friend. It seems that many of us do not bring someone to church with us. We tend to come alone or just with our family. However, each week Hannah and Eli bring a friend. On one particular Sunday, I asked Hannah, why she chose to bring Brownie with her. She held her stuffed toy dog just a bit more closely to her heart and said, “because he is special.”
Brittany (Hannah, Eli, and Evelyn’s mom) explained that as part of their process of getting ready for church each child decides who they will bring that day. The friend is always special, however, the reason they are special might change from week to week. In some cases, it is a new friend. Other times, they just feel really close to one or another.
These conversations have caused me to wonder. We all have special friends. I wonder what would happen if we all took a moment each week to think about a special friend to invite to
church. It would be a wonderful thing to call them up and say, “You are special to me. I’d like to invite you to church with me.” Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in our church began the passing of the peace with, “I would like you to meet my friend _____?” Just think about the impact that could have upon our friends, our church and our community.
I have no doubt that one of these days, Hannah and Eli’s friends are going to be transformed from huggable, furry, flexible animals, to living and breathing little boys and girls. I think they will be great evangelists. They certainly make it look easy.
So why don’t we try it. Take a moment and think of a special friend of yours who doesn’t have a faith home. Give them a call and invite them to come to church with you. I have a sense it will be an important time in their life to hear that invitation, and it will bring a greater sense of joy to your worship experience.
…a little child shall lead them. Evangelism that is easy.
I look forward to greeting you in the next few weeks and meeting your special friends.
Happy Summer,
Pastor Kathleen
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Time with Sharon: Mission Events
July 2009
“On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “… What deeds of power are being done by his hands!” Mark 6:1
At the beginning of Mission events, I like to begin with prayer. We stand in a circle and I ask everybody to put their hands out in front of them. Then I ask God’s blessing on our hands, as we go about doing Jesus’ work of loving our neighbor in our community.
Our hands are miraculous feats of engineering. They turn and twist every which way, reach and clasp, hold and release, cup, curve, spread, and clench. They are even outfitted with devises on the ends, enabling digging, piercing, and prying. We can hang from them, shake with them, and stand on them. They can propel us forward, and catch our falls. They have the capacity to break a stack of bricks with one chop, and in contrast, stroke a child’s cheek with ultimate tenderness. Our hands are indeed amazing, and able to do wondrous things.
Jesus used his hands a lot. When he was growing up, he learned carpentry skills from his earthly dad, cutting, measuring, and smoothing wood. As an adult, he traveled from place to place, shaking hands and blessing those who came to see him. With his hands, he touched the sick, conveying healing and comfort. With his hands, he gathered the children about him, holding them close, and sharing God’s love for them. Jesus raised his hands to quiet the turbulent sea, curved his hands for a better grip under the Temple tables before rearing back to flip them, and broke bread and fish with his hands, feeding the multitude with 12 basket left over. Finally, he stretched out his hands to receive the nails that became the ultimate sign of his love for us.
Jesus used the gift of his hands to love people.
How do you use your hands? Do your hands hold a crochet hook, a hammer, steering wheel, or a drill? Do you write notes, hold the hands of children, or stir a bucket of paint? Do your hands reach out to shake other hands in greeting, grip a spoon to serve a hot meal , or press together in prayer?
There are many ways to use our hands to celebrate God’s love for us.
My prayer for each of us is that we will find something to do with your hands during the remaining summer days that shares God’s love with others. I am certain that both we, and our hands, will be blessed.
Peace,
Pastor Sharon
“On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “… What deeds of power are being done by his hands!” Mark 6:1
At the beginning of Mission events, I like to begin with prayer. We stand in a circle and I ask everybody to put their hands out in front of them. Then I ask God’s blessing on our hands, as we go about doing Jesus’ work of loving our neighbor in our community.
Our hands are miraculous feats of engineering. They turn and twist every which way, reach and clasp, hold and release, cup, curve, spread, and clench. They are even outfitted with devises on the ends, enabling digging, piercing, and prying. We can hang from them, shake with them, and stand on them. They can propel us forward, and catch our falls. They have the capacity to break a stack of bricks with one chop, and in contrast, stroke a child’s cheek with ultimate tenderness. Our hands are indeed amazing, and able to do wondrous things.
Jesus used his hands a lot. When he was growing up, he learned carpentry skills from his earthly dad, cutting, measuring, and smoothing wood. As an adult, he traveled from place to place, shaking hands and blessing those who came to see him. With his hands, he touched the sick, conveying healing and comfort. With his hands, he gathered the children about him, holding them close, and sharing God’s love for them. Jesus raised his hands to quiet the turbulent sea, curved his hands for a better grip under the Temple tables before rearing back to flip them, and broke bread and fish with his hands, feeding the multitude with 12 basket left over. Finally, he stretched out his hands to receive the nails that became the ultimate sign of his love for us.
Jesus used the gift of his hands to love people.
How do you use your hands? Do your hands hold a crochet hook, a hammer, steering wheel, or a drill? Do you write notes, hold the hands of children, or stir a bucket of paint? Do your hands reach out to shake other hands in greeting, grip a spoon to serve a hot meal , or press together in prayer?
There are many ways to use our hands to celebrate God’s love for us.
My prayer for each of us is that we will find something to do with your hands during the remaining summer days that shares God’s love with others. I am certain that both we, and our hands, will be blessed.
Peace,
Pastor Sharon
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