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Prayer Time Tues @ 11a
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Tues afternoon @ 1:00p
Wed nite @ 6:30p

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Thurs Nites @ 6p

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Thurs Nites @ 7p

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2nd Wed @ 9:30a

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Mon @ 6p

Dorcas Circle
2nd Thurs @ 9:30a

Ruth Circle
1st Tues @ 7p

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Wed Nites @ 6:30

Club starts up on Sept 30!!

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Sr Hi Youth Group Mon 4p
Jr Hi Youth Group Tues 6p

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Pastor’s Page

³⁴Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me . . . ⁴⁰Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.
Matthew 25: 34-36, 40

As Rally Day, Fall and the beginning of a new school year looms on the horizon -- and we stop to consider what we, as Christians, are called to do and to be, I am reminded of the Old Testament passage which says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2a time to be born, and a time to die . . .” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).  The question is: What will we do in between?  What will happen between the date of our birth and the date of our death?  How will we use the time that we have been given?  Will we spend it planting seeds of hope, or will we spend it uprooting hope because it is in our way?  Will we focus our attentions on killing (destroying) the goodness in life that can, and will, make a difference, or will we spend our time bringing the goodness we experience in life to those in need of healing and comfort?  Will we continue tearing one another down because of selfishness and misunderstanding, or will we build each other up as fellow human beings with whom we share this world?  Will we weep tears of sadness, or laugh with hearts of joy?  Will we mourn for those who have died needlessly, or will we dance, oblivious to the hurting that surrounds us?  Will we gather people together, or will we refrain because of so many hearts of stone?  Will we embrace those in need, and seek ways to help, or will we refrain from getting involved?  Will we search for meaning in life, or will we give up before we start because we are afraid of the answer?  Will we keep what we have been given, or will we toss it away as un-usable and unnecessary?  Will we tear things up in anger or mend them in love?  Will we pause long enough to listen?  Will we say what needs to be said?  Will we hate and make war with those different from ourselves, or will we seek the way of peace, guided by God’s Love?

We live in a world that is filled with death, uprooted lives, senseless killing, needless destruction, and seemingly unending tears of sorrow and mourning.  It is filled with people whose lives have been scattered by those with hearts of stone--the failure to embrace the needs of our world, the tendency to give up too easily, and the desire to throw things away prematurely, including people.  There is an unquenchable need to tear apart and tear down people, places and things.  Sometimes we convince ourselves that hatred and war are the only solutions, because we refuse to trust the way of peace and love--the way that Jesus taught.  Sometimes we say too much, and we do not listen enough, while at other times we listen and don’t say--or do--enough!  We cannot continue in this fashion!

It is time act!  We need to go out among all people of the world and tell them what the Good News of God has told and shown us!  If there is a time and purpose for everything under heaven, the time is now!  The people of God can no longer sit back and wait for someone else to share the Good News of God!  It is time to take a stand against the forces in our world that would uproot, kill, tear down, and scatter people into uncertainty, despair, sorrow and mourning.  We can be silent no more!  It is time to plant new hope!  It is time to mend and heal the wounds of misunderstanding that separate us!  It is time to gather people together and to embrace the needs of our world and not give up or cave in to those who refrain in fear for themselves.  It is time to proclaim what God has done!

Where do we start?  We start with the words of Matthew 25, remembering that Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36).  This, then, gives us a wonderful template with which to develop our mission, a guide with which to direct our outreach and a focus with which to define our evangelism efforts. 

At the same time it also is important to note that feeding the hungry also includes feeding the soul. 

Giving drink to the thirsty also means quenching the thirst for purpose and meaning in life.  Clothing the naked is a challenge to clothe one’s heart and soul with compassion and justice.  Welcoming the stranger means welcoming those who are different from ourselves—no matter what the difference may be.  Caring for the sick and the dying is an invitation to do what Jesus did with love and care.  Visiting the imprisoned means opening the doors to the things that confine and entrap us behind the walls of pain and suffering. 

Each of the things called for in Matthew 25 are pretty straight forward.  But, as we have seen, they also go much deeper than just food, clothing, welcome, medicine and visitation.  They call us all to do what Jesus did—to follow Him all the way to the Cross, knowing that no matter how difficult things may get, the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life is what lies beyond.  Jesus is simply calling us, “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

In other words, we start by living out what we believe, by being a living example in our community!  By way of example:  Food Banks need our donations!  The sick and the dying that are all around us are in need of care and assistance!  The imprisoned need to be visited by people of hope!  It is time to act, time to Love as we have been loved.  It is time to make a difference!  For God is calling!

          God Bless You All,
                   Yours in Christ,

           Pastor Marvin