Our Christian family

As we move into the fall schedule, we put on heavier coats and have to deal with the changing weather. I get so excited. The church year will come to a close on November 26th and we will begin the new church year on December the 2nd. It is
an exciting time for all of us because it is a new beginning. New beginnings are a good time to reassess what we are doing and what we need to improve on. Faith is both personal and communal.

God has called each one of us into the Christian family ~ the body of Christ here on earth. It is truly a blessing that we do not deserve but one that we should be honored by. One that we should set time aside in our busy schedule to nourish by daily prayer, scripture reading, and worshipping on a regular basis.

On the Communal side of faith, it is how we come together and collectively work towards showing the community, and the world around us what it is that we believe and what it means to live out our faith, in our daily lives. How it is that through the body of Christ the world is going to be changed. How through the love of God we can do all things in Christ.

Personal faith is the way that we grow in our relationship to Jesus Christ, to become more like Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We bring our gifts and talents and we work to build up the body of Christ here on earth by all coming together
and serving one another. This type of faith leads us outside of ourselves and into relationship with one another.

As we begin a new church year may all of us grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another. You are uniquely made and gifted to do what only you can do for Jesus Christ and his kingdom here on earth. May God be blessed and honored by us everyday.

In Christ love,
Rev. Stephen W. Barch