Pastor David's Monthly Message

Dear Disciples of Jesus, It is almost summertime and people will be off on their vacation, as well as enjoying other activities that only summer can provide. For many it is a time to visit family and friends, renewing relationships and enjoying one another’s company. As a church family, the summertime is also a time when visitors join us and for a particular Sunday we have the pleasure of being their church home. In that regard, I am reminded of a verse from Hebrews 13: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it.” We may think of extending hospitality to guests, but to strangers? That may be altogether different. I know that I have often heard many of you describe our congregation as “friendly” and yet at the same time it may be very easy to overlook the person who is new to us, who we haven’t met or seen before, who is a “stranger” to us. Let’s face it. For most of us it is a bit intimidating to welcome someone we do not know, who is not perceived as “one of us.” But what if, what if, God is sending us “strangers,” to help us in our ministry of hospitality, to teach us how to be a welcoming, indeed a “friendly” congregation. A fellowship of people who actually are excited to see the stranger in our midst and are genuinely joyful that they have come. What if, as this verse from Hebrews 13 states, that in the “stranger” we have the privilege of “entertaining angels”? What message from God might the stranger be telling us? In fact, how, in this “stranger” in our midst, might Jesus be seeking to be present with us? God had a strong mercy for the outcasts, the rejected, the stranger. Those whom were often despised and rejected, Jesus welcomed and showed the deepest hospitality to. What about us? How will we respond to the “stranger” among us? What may God be seeking to tell us, to show us; as we welcome others into our midst? So let us not make of hospitality too easy a thing, as if we are only making people appreciate how friendly we are. For you never know when we might be entertaining angels. Never doubt the new thing that God may be seeking to show us through those in our midst. God is Good!