I am not sure how we can be at the start of a new school year already with August, the end of the “summer” season, and a return to ministries meeting weekly again. We will begin our new worship series this coming Sunday, August 4th with a focus of how we might be kind and neighborly in our church family, community, workplaces, schools, and homes.
Inspiration from scripture and Mr. Rogers will help us to answer the questions many might have, which include: “Won’t you be my neighbor?” “Where are you headed?” “How do I do this?” “What do you mean by love?” We will conclude with ONE worship at 9am on Labor Day Weekend with, “What does kindness look like?” A church-wide potluck is planned for Labor Day Sunday to practice our neighborly skills with a bit of fun and food.
Practical application will be hosted at the Sizzlin’ Summer Bash on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:30-7:30 at Dryden Park. All ages and stages of life will have the opportunity to don a new church wide tee shirt, a smile, and engage in hospitality to our neighbors at the park… living into our faith of reaching out and sharing good news through living alongside the community.
Have you thought lately about what kind of a neighbor you truly are? I imagine most of us do not ponder this on a daily or even a monthly basis, but it is something we will ponder this month as a church family. So many in our community need a kind and loving neighbor. Our community needs to see that I care… that you care… that we all care… that God cares. Sometimes, it is easy to get caught up in our own day to day lives and we forget what this kind of neighbor might look like.
This kind of neighbor gives more than a smile and a nod. This kind of neighbor might go a bit or a lot out of their way to offer help, to offer hope, to offer God’s love. As I think back to my own neighbors over the years, I am reminded of the ones who truly stood out.
As a child, there was a neighbor who took time to prepare and organize fun events for the children on our street. As a teen, there was a neighbor who took time to visit with me after school or with my mom in the evening. As an adult, there was a neighbor who took time to listen to our child practice the trumpet, took time to see the children’s costumes, and took time to visit standing outside while getting the mail.
What makes all these real neighbors special? They took time to invest in my life… my family life… my children’s lives. You see, time is what speaks into the neighborhood we invest in. Time is what God asks of us. Scripture reminds us again and again what God wants most is a relationship with us. Real relationships are built with time and loving, kind intention.
Perhaps this is the year you decide to ponder what kind of neighbor you are and what kind of neighbor you want to be this year. Our community needs a neighbor who offers help, hope, and God’s love. Won’t you be my neighbor?
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