Whatever happens,
conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil
1:27
Over the past few months our church has been working towards
defining the vision for the gathering as it relates to our community and
beyond. I read through the vision statements from so many different churches
and they all seemed quite fine for their Faith Gathering but nothing really
resonated with me in relation to our focus at Main Avenue Fellowship. We sat
around the table discussing who we are, how we are perceived by the community
and how we would like to be perceived. We were very blunt and realistic with
our review.
We recognized that we are not as pure as the driven snow but
we are really trying. So many in the world think you need to be perfect and
sinless to come through the doors of the church but, truth be told, we have all
sinned and fall short of the glory of God but His grace is fully sufficient. He
wants us all to realize that the church is the perfect place for all God’s
children to come and realize the cleansing grace of Christ. My responsibility,
our responsibility, is to allow His grace to cleanse us. When that happens, the
journey begins and we strive to live out the love of Christ in all we do.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I
needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I
was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry
and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see
you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When
did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt
25:35-40 NIV
Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, Hope! Where there
is Christ’s love, there is always hope.
Blessings on you all
Pastor Todd
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