The building was buzzing with activity, and we jumped back into three services on Kick Off Sunday this past week. Our theme this year for faith formation and all our ministries together is from Micah 6:8 where the prophet Micah says that the Lord requires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. The children’s message challenged us to stretch ourselves in these loving acts of faithfulness in the coming year.
I thought it might take time to warm up, but I already saw stretching on day one! We had new families sign up to help in Sunday school. They are just learning about us, and yet they jumped right in. We had parents of high school kids who stayed after class to dream about investing in and creating a safe place for our oldest youth to come each Sunday morning. Others were asking about our mid-week discussions and studies that are ramping back up because they were feeling called to learn more. Our Fellowship MAC (Ministry Area Coordinator) was already making plans to shop for hotdogs for Songs and S’mores this Sunday after just doling out hundreds of donuts all morning. Being in community and building relationships fuels our ability to stretch ourselves into taking action.
We also know that life can pull us in countless directions. If you need to stretch yourself into a sanctuary chair or your couch while watching online to refuel your soul, we welcome that too. That is the beauty of God’s community. When one needs the peace of quiet reflection and walking with God, others step in to lift and serve the others. We are bound together by God’s unending love and grace that inspires us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Where do you see yourself stretching in the coming year in the words of Micah 6:8? Feel free to reach out to me with questions about ways to do life together at Lord of Life that do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. Our website and the monthly Lifeline publication are also great resources. I can’t wait to walk with you on the journey.
Living, sharing, and celebrating God’s love in Jesus Christ with you,
Angie Seiller, Director of Faith Formation