Sunday was the perfect day for our fourth annual Fall Family Festival. After threatening rain all week, it was a perfectly beautiful fall day--sunny but not too hot. We were prepared for a rain plan, but the last of the rain moved through overnight and we awoke to a perfect day.
It was a perfect day because we had a great turnout for worship, Sunday School, and, of course, the festival. On Labor Day weekend I had two children on the steps for the Children's Time. On Sunday there were over 30 children lining the steps completely across the sanctuary.
Sanctuary was the theme for the day in worship. After the terrible images of refugees desperately seeking sanctuary in Europe, we looked to see what Scripture had to say about the issue. Of all places, we found a teaching of generosity in Leviticus 19 where we are taught to respect and even LOVE the alien in our midst. As a former Resident Alien who was welcomed into this country, I believe hospitality to tired migrants is the only Christian response.
It was a perfect day because we were able to show hospitality to many visitors, some of whom were new to the community. We have been blessed with a steady stream of new families who find us to be a welcoming community with everything they are looking for in a church. One father even admitted that when his children saw a picture of last year's Fall Festival on our website, they wanted to go to that church. How many churches have a bouncy castle and a visit from the ice cream truck? Only the perfect church!
See you in Church,
Pastor Dale
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