Welcoming and Being Welcomed

The Fruitland Christian Reformed Church is a welcoming congregation. I've been on the receiving end of their welcome and I have watched them welcome visitors on Sunday mornings. The people of the congregation do welcoming well, introducing newcomers to others, explaining how we do things, making sure that they can navigate our facilities. Being welcoming is important to any congregation wanting to get to know its community and have an impact outside of its walls.

How are we at being welcomed though?

This Sunday we will focus on Jesus words in Matthew 10:40-42. A first, quick reading, may leave the impression that Jesus is talking about our calling to be welcoming, but after a closer look, we come to realize that he is really talking about accepting the welcome of others, particularly the welcome of those we are sharing the gospel with.

Somehow, accepting welcome, hospitality, a cup of cold water, from others is more difficult than getting into welcome mode toward others. There is a different posture involved, a different position on the power scale, and yet, Jesus seems to be saying that part of the job of being a disciple is to make ourselves open to being welcomed.

Join us this week as we worship. We'll welcome you warmly as we think about how to be better at being welcomed.

Do Not Be Afraid

Its so easy for us to fall into a sense of fear. The world around us, magnified by the media seems to be a very frightening place with danger at every turn. We fear for our safety, we fear for our children, we fear for our security, we fear the health issues that lurk around every corner, we fear people who are different from us.

As Christians in an ever more secular environment we tend to be fearful as well. We feel like we are losing something we once had. We see our political and social power waning. We feel like our voices are being drowned out, that we are being pushed to the sidelines. The changes in our world, and in our country, make us fearful.

This Sunday we will worship with our friends and neighbours from Ebenezer Reformed Church and we will consider our fears in the light of Jesus words in Matthew 10 "don't be afraid". Jesus urges us not to be afraid, points out that we are of value even to the point that the hairs on our heads are numbered.

As we look forward to Canada Day, celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, Jesus tells us not to be afraid, not to hide from the world, not to isolate ourselves, but to pick up our crosses and follow him.

As a special treat, after this combined service, we will enjoy strawberries and  ice cream together. What could be more Canadian?

All Means Everything, Right?

Shortly after Jesus' resurrection, following instructions he gives to Mary, the disciples make a trip to Galilee. Matthew records Jesus' words to his followers as the closing words of his gospel. His words are recorded in the last three verses and one word stands out over and over, the word all.

Jesus wants his disciples to know that his was not a partial victory, it was total, it was all. He has gained all authority, not just some of it. We are to share the news with  all of the world, not just the friendly parts; share all Jesus' teachings, not just the parts that support our agenda.

This Sunday we'll spend time in Matthew 28:16-20 wondering what all means for us, for the way we live and interact in the world, for the way that we live into the promise the Jesus will be with us always.