For your reflection...

How we celebrate the 4th of July has somehow become a test of our citizenship, and simultaneously our Christian faith. Some want to have flags in the sanctuary, while others believe it to be inappropriate. Some want to sing patriotic songs in worship, while others want to lift up worship songs in worship and patriotic songs elsewhere. What does it mean to be American? What does it mean to be Christian? What does it mean to keep your faith and your patriotism separate? What does it mean to keep those two aspects of your life tightly woven to one another?

While there are valid arguments on both sides, for keeping separate your faith from your patriotism, and for keeping them intertwined, our scripture reading from Sunday, 2 Kings 5:1-14, reminds us of one important thing. God is bigger than any of those divisions we can make. We find unity in God who brings together all “sides.” In the Body of Christ, we find unity amid difference.

God uses many different people in this story, especially unknown characters, in order to bring about healing. God works out of the ordinary in order to bring together those who might otherwise remain enemies. This story of healing and unity reminds us that it matters not how we decided to combine, or keep apart our Christian faith and our patriotism, we know that we worship God, and follow Christ, who will work through us.

God is working through us no matter if we agree or disagree on whether or not the flag should be front and center on patriotic secular holidays. Because we know that God is bigger, more inclusive, more loving, more righteous, more justice oriented, more faithful, and just plain MORE than we can ever imagine. Let us live our lives reflective of this God.

Don't Forget to Mark your Calendar...

August 29 & 30 - Pictorial Directory Dates - Each family will receive one free 8 x 10 picture and a copy of the directory.  Mark your calendars now to sign up for this church-wide event.

Safe Church Training -- There will be two Safe Church training meetings – August 29 and September 4. Each will be at 9:30am in the Youth Building. If you are involved with any of our children/youth programs in a leadership position and haven’t gone thru the training, please make plans to attend one of these meetings. Contact Rev. Laura if you have any questions.