The Pastor's Corner for January, 2018

January 2018 Newsletter

One of my favorite motivational DVD’s comes from the National Geographic photographer DeWitt Jones, who tells us to look for the next great moment by putting yourself in the greatest place for opportunity.  Jones goes on to tell us that even before you can create you got to have a passion and he equates passion with falling in love.  Jesus says, “where your heart is there is your treasure.”

So I ask you where is your treasure?  As we journey with Jesus we come to find out that Jesus does have a passion for you and me and everybody else on the planet.  His passion and who he is are given reality in the cross and that reality is based on his sacrifice, an act of selflessness not selfishness.
  
As for putting himself in the place of the greatest opportunity Jesus was a master at that!  His home base in Galilee was Capernaum a place where Gentiles were the majority of the population.  He didn’t shy away from crossing through Samaria, or sitting on mountain tops or giving bread and fish in the wilderness.  Wherever there were people Jesus fed, preached and healed and he was non-discriminating to anyone who came to be in his presence.

I never question a person’s passion as I don’t know enough of anybody to know what it is that makes you tick unless you tell me.  What I can do is talk to you about putting yourself in a place that puts you in the greatest opportunity and right now that place is worship on Sunday morning.  Jesus built a community and even though that community was in passionate love with Jesus we need to come to the understanding that Jesus didn’t do everything alone!  He had disciples and he had a community of people who not only followed but supported his ministry.

It is community where we build relationships and grow together in our faith and educate ourselves in what we know about our Triune God.  It is where we share our joys and our concerns, and it is in worship that we offer up our gifts for the future creativity of our witness to be disciples and transform the world  It is in worship where the conversation starts as to what God is calling us to do and what not to do.  Community is found in worship and it is in community where we as a people of God at this point and time can be in the place of the greatest opportunity.

So let me say this.  I pray I see you Sunday as we need your conversation and your passion for Jesus Christ to not only be a part of our worship but to be a part of your worship.  Remember Jesus has a passion for you and we have a passion for Jesus so let’s get together!
 
See you Sunday,
Rev. Dennis Hopes