No Exceptions!

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. – Revelation 21: 23-27

There is something pretty crazy going on here that is far too easy for us to miss today. How is it that nothing unclean enters the city? Is it because the city gate is closed to uncleanness?

No! Not at all! The gates are open. And yet nothing unclean will enter. How is that possible?

The only way is that nothing unclean tries to enter the gates. This is a redefinition of what is clean and unclean. What is clean steps foot inside the gate. What is unclean doesn’t even try to enter. There is nothing to keep people out of this open door. So, the only way they do not enter is that they do not try to enter. They don’t knock. They don’t ask. They don’t seek.

Scripture says: ask, seek, knock…and the door will be opened. That is the way God works. I invite every church and every Christian around us to live into this truth. Start opening your doors to people, not with strings attached, not with rules about who can come in and who cannot, but instead open your doors to embody the love and grace of Jesus which invites us all in. Sinners and Saints, we are all welcome. No exceptions.

Miss Sunday’s sermon?  Read it here…The Door Will Be Opened: No Exceptions

Reflect: Read Acts 16 again and take a moment to reflect. What do you hear about Lydia as a leader of the church? What can you learn from her story?

Reflect: Research shows that children – especially girls – who have grown up with a female pastor in their lives are more stable, more confident, more well-adjusted adults. Recall a woman pastor from your life and the ways in which she encouraged, supported and nurtured your faith.

Practice: Take time this week to remember those who are no longer with us because of giving their lives in service to others. Say their names aloud. Close your eyes and picture a face or recall an experience or story with them. Give thanks.

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Graduates!!!!

We will be recognizing our graduates on Sunday, June 9th. Please call the church office or let Pastor Joanie know if there are any graduates in your family since last June.  Graduates include everyone:  Kindergarten, Middle School, High School, College, Post-grad, Special programs, etc.

This Week:

Wednesday, May 29, 1:30 pm – Prayer & Inspiration
Wednesday, May 29, no choir practice
Thursday, May 30, 3:00 pm – Ladles of Love, Meal preparation & delivery
Sunday, June 2, 11:00 am – Worship

Upcoming Events:
June 4, 9:00 -11:00 am Community Garden Workday
June 7, 7:30 pm First Movie Night of the Summer, Location TBA
June 9, 11:00 am Worship: Pentecost and Graduate Recognition
June 14-15, all day, 301 Yard Sale, Start collecting items to donate for our yard sale, we are also renting spaces if you know someone who would like to bring a table to sell their own things. The kids will also be hosting a Lemonade Stand to raise fund Children’s Cancer Research.
June 25, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, Volunteer Opportunity at the DUMA Food Pantry; Children (ages 5 and up) are invited to come at 9:30 and work until 11:30 am.   Parents are asked to accompany any child under the age of 8. The children will go to lunch together afterwards.