Good morning:
Whether it’s the political world or your local neighborhood, there is no lack of anger and divisiveness. It seems as though it’s nearly impossible to find two people to agree on anything or for any kind of peace and harmony to last.
But this past week has been refreshingly different. Yesterday we finished our annual week of Vacation Bible School. Every morning 30 students plus teachers and helpers gathered to take a virtual balloon trip to various places in the creation which illustrate God’s blessings to a world of sinners. As you might imagine, there were a few tears of anxiety at times among the youngest attenders, but overall it was a time of joyful harmony among both children and adults.
What made that possible? Our children are blessed to have parents who love them and are faithful in teaching them to be polite and care for others. Many of the students attend our Christian day school where they learn respect for teachers and one another.
But the greatest credit by far goes to the Lord and his love. “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). “We love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19). “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). By faith in Jesus, we receive the unconditional love of God. Our debt has been paid in full. God pronounces us his children and heirs of heaven. Salvation is ours.
That’s the message we heard every morning during VBS. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. It’s a message which changes hearts. Having been loved by God in Christ, the believer, whether child or adult, wants nothing more than to love God and their neighbor. It was a joy to see that love put into practice in the form of patience, consideration, and eagerness for learning the Word and singing the Lord’s praises. It’s the love which overcomes the divisiveness of sin with the peace and harmony of God’s grace. May that love fill all our hearts and motivate our lives.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
Tomorrow is Friendship Sunday, along with the installation of Mr. Levi Schaller as lower grade teacher in our Christian day school. Our service is at 9 a.m. The VBS children will be singing, as well as a choir trio. Following the service, everyone is invited to enjoy food and fellowship at the church picnic which will be held at Calhoun Park (5500 S. Calhoun Rd., New Berlin).
