FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY!!

For most believers, every Sunday is a fellowship Sunday of sorts. Once or twice a year, our church gets together for BBQ, games and other activities on the grounds. Officially we "dub" this our "fellowship" Sunday, somewhat akin to dinner on the grounds of times gone by.

But, todays went beyond that! As I looked out over the sanctuary there was a sea of green!! Green in every spectrum. Even one of the young dads dedicating his infant son today wore green tennis shoes. Even Nancy, sweet friend in the faith, who was visiting with us today wore green as well!

Why green? One of the youngsters in our church is battling cancer, and as in similar cases, our congregation has stepped up to the plate! Unbeknownst to his parents, many in our "body" wore "Green for Griffin" whose young body has been invaded by leukemia. It was our way of saying to Griffin's family, We Got Your Back!" We're on your team!

So many scriptures whirred in my mind as we all prayed for this young man and his family. We are family---his family.

• So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10)
• Continue steadfastly in prayer,  (Colossians 4:12)
• ....pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
• Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
• How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)
• May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (Romans 15:5)
• Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Unity Prevailed----baby dedications, responsive readings of scripture, spontaneous baptisms, prayers and WEARING GREEN---lots of it!

One in the Spirit----that's what we celebrated this "Fellowship Sunday!

REFLECTIONS

REFLECTIONS! A time for reflecting is pretty common this time of year.

News commentators have already started looking back---almost ad nauseam in the "celebrity" realm.

Certainly as one reflects, there is a fine line between discernment and self-absorption.

For me, discernment can only come with an open Bible in my lap. 

Of course, also for me, it doesn't hurt to have a cup of tea (and maybe even a donut) to help me "stay in the Word" for more than a few minutes. Meditation takes perseverance, especially when encouragement and hope are desperately needed.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Thanks be to God---who gives patience and encouragement (Romans 15:5) as we make our way in life....learning from one year, even the mistakes, and taking those life lessons from Him, into the next year.

"So long," 2015.......