Sitting across the table from a new, very active participant in the life of the church, I could see his eyes getting wider and wider as a couple of us were discussing all the things we have coming up in the life of our church. We have children’s church kicking off, youth group, pumpkin patch, haunted house, cookie walk, a variety of musical concerts, toy drive, light up night, the Christmas play, advent, Christmas Eve, new years, Martin Luther King Jr. Day service, Lent, and a host of other activities I didn’t even mention. Are you tired just reading the list? I look at all of the things we will be doing, and it is tempting to get overwhelmed, but that only happens when I lose focus. As long as I keep my focus on the why—on the service to God—I see these activities as opportunities. They are opportunities to greet our neighbors, welcome a visitor, and show the fierce, inclusive love of Jesus. I am reminded of a wise young girl named Lucia. During our VBS storytelling time, I asked the kids, “Why are we to be happy about having hard times?” This is a hard concept for an adult to get, let alone someone with minimal life experience. Yet, Lucia boldly spoke up and said, “Because they are opportunities to show the love of Jesus.” She, obviously, was right on. I pray that we can show her and all the kids, and ourselves, just how challenging times truly are opportunities to show the love of Jesus. We will get tired; there will be a lot requested of us, but we will press on and prayerfully, we will, by the grace of God, introduce someone to Christ. Through this, we will see lives transformed and be a part of what the Holy Spirit is doing here on earth.

I am praying for each of you, for our team leaders, for our ministry teams, for all these activities upon us. Will you join me in that prayer? Pray that the Holy Spirit dwell within us, energize us, keep our eyes open to the opportunities presented to us to share the love of Jesus with all we meet on our journey through these next couple of seasons. Amen!

From one light to another,
Pastor Hannah Loughman