The great theologian and pastor, Henri Nouwen wrote these words, which I hope you will hear with an open heart:

Loving the Church often seems close to impossible. Still, we must keep reminding ourselves that all people in the Church – whether powerful or powerless, conservative or progressive, tolerant or fanatic – belong to that long line of witnesses moving through this valley of tears, singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, listening to the voice of their Lord, and eating together from the bread that keeps multiplying as it is shared. When we remember that, we may be able to say, “I love the Church, and I am glad to belong to it.”

Loving the Church is our sacred duty. Without a true love for the Church, we cannot live in it in joy and peace. And without a true love for the Church, we cannot call people to it.

May we seek to love the church, so that we are better able to call people to the church and to Jesus.

Cliff

CHURCH NEWS:

·        The Pumpkin Patch continues through Saturday. Join us in helping out!

·        The memorial service for Betty Wolfe will be on November 19 at 11:00am in the sanctuary, followed by a reception in Ratcliff Hall.