All of us are familiar with the old adage, “When the cats away, the mice will

play.” My dear people I understand that Sunday’s worship attendance was only 42.

I believe that we can do better than that. For you see, you never know when this

old cat might come sneaking in and surprise you. I surely would want to be

greeted by more than 42 members and friends. I know that some of our people are

away, but what about all of you who are able to be in worship?

A few suggestions:

Note those not in attendance and give them a call. A word of

encouragement is always helpful.

Who have you invited to worship? You are in His hands and His feet.

This past Sunday I had the chance to go with my wife to my home church. In

her next to last sermon, the interim shared a variety of scripture passages that all

have great meaning. I liked the way she used the following from Jeremiah 18

which I share with you:

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come go down to the

potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the

potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel that he was

making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another

vessel, as it seemed good to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to me; Can I not do with you, O house of

Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s

hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18.1-6, NRSV)

I invite you to do the following: Take the very last verse and in the blank

space that I have left, put in your name, then read it again and put in “First

Christian Church.”

“Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand___________.”

 

This is a Test!!!

This is a test! No, it is not a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is

a test for all of you as members of First Christian Church. When your pastor is

incapacitated as I am, are you willing to fill in with pastoral roles? Are you willing

to make the effort to be in contact with our special needs members or even to offer

to visit them?

This test question becomes even more critical as the search for a settled

pastor has begun. How will you step up to lend him or her a helping hand?

I am grateful because I have already been made aware of the many ways

some of you have shared your talents and gifts of caring and compassion.

One of the things that I have been made quite aware of were the ways in

which your former pastor took on far more responsibility than she should have.

She allowed it to happen. You allowed it to happen.

In order for all of us to have a thriving, vital church that is committed to

serving our Lord and Savior, we need to be continually asking ourselves, what are

the ways that I can be the hands and feet and spirit of our Lord and Savior? The

answer to this question will certainly make a difference once you have discerned

and called your next settled pastor.

You have what it takes because you are his blessed children.

Again, thank you for all that are doing in Christ’s name and for his church.