They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love!

We used to sing this song around the campfire on youth retreats when I was growing up in Arizona. As I pondered this newsletter article, I was amazed at how we are showing our love to each other and the world around us.

In June youth and leaders from First Presbyterian Church, along with volunteers from another church, traveled to Schuyler, Nebraska to host a Vacation Bible School for youth in the community. This has been going on for years and years, and the people of the community have come to know and trust us with their kids while we teach them about the Bible and faith in Jesus Christ. A few weeks ago, we had members on a medical mission to Jamaica where they provided much needed dental care for the people there.

Right now as I write this, our youth and adult leaders are on a mission trip to Wyoming where they are painting and sealing homes against the weather. Our group traveled to Wind River, Wyoming, working with tribal housing authorities to let the folks in Wind River know that they are loved and cared for.

These things are great, as we send people across the land to other cities, states and countries, but sometimes we forget about what happens right around us.

This has been a week of much needed pastoral visits. I have made more visits to homes and care facilities than any other week I can recall. At each and every visit I made, I heard about how other people in our congregation had visited, or were on their way to visit the same person I was visiting. I was amazed…In every case, in addition to pastoral care visits, each person who was recovering from illness, suffering illness, or preparing to grieve the loss of a loved one, were also receiving visits from friends and fellow church members!

I am so thankful for the members of this church who care so well for each other. I love seeing this, and I love hearing how the next visitor after me will be someone from the church. It affirms the message that we are trying to send to the world, far away and right at home, that people are loved and cared for. Thank you for allowing me to serve you and help you send that message into the world!

In Him,

Pastor Jon