The Church at its Best
When a call goes out that children in the community are in need of food…the church responds with cases of nutritious food.
When a teacher says a child is in need of shirts and pants so they can comply with the school uniform rule…the church responds with not only shirts and pants, but t-shirts, socks and underwear.
When 27 children declare their desire to go to camp, but for a few parents this is beyond their means…the church responds with 10 camp scholarships…more than we actually needed.
When youth want to take 2 mission trips in 1 summer…the church responds with over $14,000. in funds for their journey.
When a terminally ill member with no family faces her last days on earth…the church responds by becoming her surrogate family, visiting regularly, feeding abundantly and taking her to appointments or even on outings to brighten her last days.
When the community asks for extra food to make 25 Thanksgiving Dinner baskets to help families in need for the holidays…the church responds with an over abundance of ingredients for multiple meals…far exceeding the call for just 25.
When families mourn during the holidays and struggle with depression while everyone else shops, hosts parties and sings carols…the church responds with a worship service of hope and healing.
When a family faces the burdens of caring for a loved one in the hospital…the church responds with dinners to feed the masses, transportation to and from the hospital, prayers galore, cards, letters, visits and phone calls to help strengthen them during the difficult days.
When the church opens its arms freely, broadening the inner circle to include a few more new people into the body of Christ…the church is at its best.
As we begin the busy season, remember who we are when we are at our best. Always keep in mind, at any moment along the way, to just one person, if we are distracted in any way, we become the church at its worst…if only to that one person.
Each week when we gather for worship, we are given opportunities to welcome new families and returning old friends. When we look beyond ourselves and see an unfamiliar face, and invite them into our pew, into our homes, out to lunch with our lunch crowd…we have welcomed and invited Christ into our midst. This is when the church is truly at its BEST!
Blessings,
Tracy