Rev. Karen Wheat

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From
the Pastor:
In this month of November we
often seem to focus on "Counting Our Blessings."
This may be true because we realize that the
'harvest' is in and we celebrate the abundance. But,
most probably this is true because November is the
month of the holiday known as Thanksgiving. And
sometimes we need a little nudge or reminder to
really think about the things for which we are
thankful. Lately I have found myself
doing a lot of reflecting. And as I have reflected,
I have reviewed the things in my life for which I am
most thankful. First on the list, is my family —my
immediate family, my extended family, and those who
have kinda just been absorbed into our family,
though not related by blood. Second on my list is
Lawrence Avenue United Methodist Church! I am so
thankful for this church and those who are part of
its loving community. This church has been here
for over 100 years and has been a faithful witness
to the love of Christ in the community of Charlotte.
The reason this church has been so faithful is
because, as a church, we have taken seriously the
command of Jesus to "Follow Him" (i.e. put into
practice his teachings and faith) and then to
encourage others to become followers. Lawrence
Avenue has taken seriously the understanding that
the church exists to serve God and the world. Sometimes we forget that
and think that the church is "all about us." We fall
into the trap of thinking that the church exists
only to meet our needs and serve us, but that isn't
quite what Jesus had in mind. He called his
disciples to "follow," not "sit and absorb". Jesus
sincerely wants us to actively "practice" what he
preached and do what he calls us to do as well.
Scott W. Alexander, in his
book Salted with Fire, points out the dangers
of being a "self-serving" congregation, when he
writes: "The congregation that primarily looks
inward for the discovery of meaning;
wholeness and service, and spirituality
(and does not move out beyond its walls to
visibly, live its faith in the wider community) will
not experience growth and depth....An inward-looking
church that does not encourage its ministers and
laity to take their faith to the streets in service
to others, is a church that cannot grow in numbers,
responsibility, or depth." In other words, if the
world doesn't see the difference our faith makes in
our lives, they will never be attracted to it. I am thankful that LAUMC
takes seriously its mission to really live the
faith, and not just give lip-service to it! I
rejoice whenever I see the love we share in the name
of Christ, to all of those in the community, not
just our church friends and family! I rejoice when I see this
church practice the Golden Rule of, "Do unto others
as we would have them do unto us!", i.e. treat
people the way you would like them to treat you! In this season of
thanksgiving, let us give thanks for the ways in
which we can live our faith and show Christ's love,
and in so doing, give thanks for the love of God,
which caused him to send his son to show us The Way.
Shalom, Rev. Karen |