Pastor's Pen - August 1, 2018

August 1, 2018

Pastor’s Pen

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. 

Greetings all! Pastor Dan here. 

It’s so great to be back after three weeks away. First I was on the mission trip with our high school youth, as well as some of our truly wonderful volunteers. Then I took a much-needed vacation, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

I don’t want to give away too much of what you’ll here on September 30^th, this year’s Mission Trip Sunday, so I’ll be brief. I just had to say how wonderful a feeling it is to live out Romans 12:9-13 for a whole week, and to watch our young people do the same. The week was full of love—love between our high schoolers, the love they had for the other youth they met and worked with, and the love they shared with the residents they served at their work sites. The care they showed for each other and for relative strangers was truly inspiring, and seeing their joy in worship and fellowship reminded me why I do what I do. They lifted each other up, they persevered through a number of different and difficult times, and they sought God, the guidance of Jesus, and the feeling of the Holy Spirit in ways that were so evident to me, even if they didn’t realize they were doing it! 

And they truly are experts at extending hospitality to strangers. We didn’t have to teach them that one bit. 

Prayer:Loving God, continue to guide our young people as you guide each one of us. Fill us with the power and energy of your spirit, that we may all lovingly and enthusiastically serve you wherever we go. Amen.