03-16-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
March 16, 2025
As you might have heard, someone was able to get hold of a church directory, including emails and cell numbers. Sadly, a lot of our membership has been hit with a request to help with some gift cards. First, let me remind all of you that we sell gift cards at the church as a way of making some additional money for mission and outreach. We will always buy the cards through our program because the church receives back a percentage. I am so sorry this has happened, yet as I write this email, I have been contacted by 72 of our church members…just to clarify or to make me aware. If you ever have a question or concern, don’t hesitate to contact the church office or your Elder. I’m hoping no one was taken by this scammer, but if you were, please let us know. At the same time, I must laugh at some of our congregation’s creative responses to this individual. Many of you toyed with this person, others sent “images” that expressed your feelings, and others took this opportunity to share a sermon on Christian ethics. Today’s theme in worship is: Awaken curiosity. This is one of those real-life situations where curiosity, questions, and exploring are important. What I mean by that—what does it mean to Put Love First when someone seeks to scam you or take advantage of someone you love? I have a feeling this question would make for some lively conversation at church. But I believe our Love First approach might start with anyone who has been scammed. We would not judge or belittle, but seek to make whole—financially, emotionally, and spiritually. If we learned who had done the scamming, I think love does include justice and the taking of responsibility, but there is forgiveness in there. It would be messy. Let me just say that talking about the Love First Life and living the Love First Life are two very different things. But I am glad we do the exploring and the questioning together.

Give blessing and insight to us, O Merciful and Gracious God, as we seek to live our lives in such a way that we make clear the Love First Life. It won’t be easy or predictable, but we will try to do so together. Amen.