Dear friends: October 28
Dear friends,
In Latin, the word “community” means “shared together”. In essence community is the intertwining of our lives with one another. This is a central element of our faith: we share together the Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, neither of which are done outside the bounds of community in our tradition. We see the way Jesus shared together his ministry and life with his disciples and also the crowds who would gather around him to listen and learn.
Each November we begin the month marking All Saints Day. In worship we recognize those in our church family who have entered the Church Triumphant over the past year. At the end of September, we celebrate our Legacy Members (those who have been members of First Pres for 50 years or more). Both of these occasions remind us of how much our dedication and commitment matter to community, not for the sake of the community, but for our own well-being.
The community we build and sustain in our lives is in large part the legacy we leave behind. From the relationships we build through long parking lot conversations and bible studies, to the trips we take together learning about history and faith, to the ways we invest in one another outside the church walls through service and care. Our community at First Pres is a place where lifelong friendships are built on our common belief that we each bear the image of God. It is a place where our lives are intertwined with one another, a place where our faith can be deepened and our hope be encouraged. It is through our sharing of life together that we draw nearer to God and learn how to more closely embody Christ in our lives.
There are so many ways to connect at First Pres! Please contact me, another pastor, or Chris Bartley if you are looking for new ways to engage your faith. We are here to help you discover opportunities. What a joy and gift to share in this life together. Thank you for being an essential part of this community.
In Christ,
Ashley Drake Mertz
Associate Pastor for Care & Connection