Friday, February 23, 2024

Life Together Community (Feb 25, 2024)

  


Peace to you. 

How was your week? 

Joyce and I had a rich and meaningful week with our five children during this week's spring break. Our aim is to build trust with our children, so that when they grow up - when they don't have to come home, when they don't have to show up at church - they would feel that they get to and love to come home and church.    

The other day one of the church members shared with me an excellent article on family and church, "Why our family still makes time for church on Sundays," written by Amy Becker, mother of three children. 


I particularly love what the author has to say about why she gets to church every Sunday this way [emphasis mine]: 

I love a good sermon and appreciate a soaring choir, but the performative elements of church don’t matter much to me anymore. What matters is that a community of vulnerable, gifted, broken and beloved individuals show up — for themselves and each other — week after week. What matters is a place where I, and now my kids too, are known and loved. What matters is the words that are proclaimed from the pulpit and the liturgy being put into action in our relationships...

Just as I desire to build trust with my children, so I am longing to build a beloved community together with you - a place where we know each other and are known. 

I feel connected when my 4-year-old Hannah remembers our church member by name and prays for that person during our family devotion. I feel known when our church member remembers my children's birthday and celebrates with us. 

As we come to church this Sunday in person or in spirit once again, may we be reminded that as broken and wounded people, we need each other. We are all interconnected and interdependent. We are given to one another. You and I are invited to this place. We are invited to be a member of God's family. 
  • Hodgdon UMC (9 am): Facebook
  • Mars Hill UMC (9 am): Family Worship - Facebook
  • Houlton UMC (11 am): Family Worship & Love Feast Potluck Luncheon - YouTube I Facebook
As we continue to build God's beloved community, may Christ become present among us. May we be the hands and feet of Christ in this wounded world. 

Have a blessed weekend. See you Sunday! 


In Christ,
Pastor Victor

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