I do a good job of taking care of my family. I know that sentence sounds a bit conceited,
but it is true. My family is first on my
list when it comes to giving care and concern.
They are fed, have clothing, are loved and cared for. Sure, some days are better than others, but
all and all they are my first concern.
I feel good about that and then I remember the story of The
Lost Sheep.
The Story of the Lost Sheep, Luke 15, MSG
15 By
this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around
Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not
pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals
with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story.Suppose
one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine
in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you
can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got
home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found
my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s
rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
Would I take the time to find one of
my children if they were lost and hurt?
YES! Would I take the same time
for a stranger? It is my hope that I
would but I cannot honestly answer with the same YES!
St. Andrew has been in the process
of looking at this church from a new perspective, the perspective of THE
ONE. The one person who is not
connected, who is lost and searching for God’s perfect love in their life. Do we as a church welcome THE ONE?
In this process we have learn a lot
about who we are as a church. We learned
that we have amazing worship, a growing and thriving Children and Youth
program, and loving servants of Christ who worship and serve here. We love this
church and we love the people inside the walls. We are also in a building that
has over 40 entrances, multiple parking lots, 5 service times. These facts can be overwhelming as a guest,
it can also be hard to invite people with this abundance.
You will start seeing better signage
around the parking lots and hallways to help guide guest’s around this
building. Starting April 12th we will have new service times across
the campus: 9:30 and 10:50 for both the contemporary (The Well) and traditional
services. The streamline of service
times will give the Children’s Ministry the opportunity to have children
seamlessly integrated in the same programming at the 9:30 and 10:50 hours.
I am personally very excited about
the amazing opportunities that we have as a church. The impact that we can still make in the
surrounding communities and the lives of families can be life giving. Thank you for being a church that can change
perspective and see our mission from the eyes of THE ONE.
