My February Blog Message, Pastor Bruce

Dear Friends,

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each

one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that

connects us as neighbors - in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

- The World According to Mister Rogers, p. 136

Long before I read these wise words by Fred Rogers, I had come to believe that the person who needs to be helped is, at the same time, offering something significant to the one who is providing the help. This may be especially true within the community of the church.

For when we allow a church member to help us, we are providing a Christian friend with the opportunity to experience the joy that comes from service; and in the process, our friendship is deepened. We are providing a sister or brother in Christ with the opportunity to live out the commandment to love a neighbor. Remembering that the scriptures teach us that faith without works is dead, we are providing another person of faith with the opportunity to fully

live out his or her faith.

Therefore, my friends, if you need a ride to worship or another event at the church, don’t hesitate to ask Sue Sofka to arrange for a member of the Transportation Team to pick you up.

If you have been ill and struggling with cooking meals for yourself, don’t hesitate to contact Mary Shaw to ask for some help from Caring Cooks. If you have been struggling with food insecurity, you should be aware that the Deacons are in the process of starting a new food ministry to assist people who find themselves in that situation; don’t hesitate to contact Christine Tobias (or me) to learn more.

If you have been struggling financially, please know that you are not alone. Don’t hesitate to contact me to inquire about the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund. If you are feeling overwhelmed by life and need someone to listen, please email or call me to arrange for a time to meet.

When you need help and are willing to accept it from the church, you are, in effect, helping the church. You are helping us live out our mission statement, which reads in part: “We are a welcoming community formed in Christ, committed to sharing his love with others ....”

Therefore, the next time you need help, please make your need known to your church family. In so doing, you will be helping another person of faith and the church as a whole. And who knows? The next time someone else needs help, you may be the one to provide it.

Yours in Christ,

Bruce