September/October 2009

Pastor’s Page

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

In just a few short weeks, we will be in the middle of a very active fall, which will lead to a very active winter, which will lead to a very active spring. I am always amazed about how busy it gets around here when the calendar turns to October. I suspect that I am not alone in this experience. Parents are getting children ready for school. Organizations of every sort are “gearing up” for the year ahead. So it is important to remember why we do the things we do.

The message of the Gospel is very clear about God, and God’s love for humanity. We are reminded that God loves us—really loves us! God loves us so much that God sent Jesus to share our human experience and to take upon himself the worst afflictions that our world could conceive. We are reminded that Jesus did this willingly, because of grace, God’s spontaneous love poured out for us all.

Now, why did God do this? Let me be very blunt, we don’t deserve it! It is not because of anything we do. We do not earn it; we do not get points for good behavior. It is simply a gift from God. This message is actually at the heart of the Protestant Reformation, and, I believe, is the core message of the Bible.

To get to the point, we do not do things to earn our way into God’s good graces; the good acts that we do is a response to the love God has already shared. When we realize that, in spite of our imperfections, God loves us with a love too deep for words, we are liberated to reach out and love others as God has loved us. We don’t do it to earn anything from God; we are transformed by what God has done for us in Jesus. It is, actually, a rather simple concept that is very difficult for humans to accept.

Every good thing that we do matters. Our acts of love become visible reminders of the love that God has shared with us in Jesus. So, be active in our community and do whatever good you can do. Not out of fear or out of a need to placate God, but out of the love that is already at work in your soul. There is much to be done in our troubled world. Yet, the work will be easy when you remember why we do it.

Grace and Peace,

Bob Sorozan

Looking Ahead

Communion Sunday – September 6, 2009

Office Closed – September 7, 2009

Nominations Committee (Copper Hill) – September 10, 2009

Church Council Meeting (West Granby) – September 13, 2009

Youth Group (at Copper Hill) – September 14, 2009*

Worship Service at Meadowbrook N.H. – September 14, 2009

Combined Worship Committee – September 22, 2009

Worship Service At Mclean N.H. – September 23, 2009

Joy Rally (at Copper Hill) – September 23, 2009

Christian Education Sunday and Reception – September 27, 2009

Youth Group (at West Granby) – September 28, 2009*

Church Supper and Silent Auction (Copper Hill) – October 3, 2009

World Communion Sunday – October 4, 2009

Worship Service at Meadowbrook N.H. – October 5, 2009

P.P.R.C. Committee (at West Granby) – October 8, 2009

Church Council Meeting (West Granby) – October 11, 2009

Youth Group (at Copper Hill) – October 12, 2009*

Joy Rally (at West Granby) – September 21, 2009

Combined Worship Committee – October 22, 2009

Youth Group (at West Granby) – October 26, 2009*

Church Council (at Copper Hill) – October 27, 2009

*Date may be subject to change; please watch the Sunday bulletin.