November 2026

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. ~ 1 John 3: 1-3 (NRSV)

Beloved in Christ ~

I begin every church service with the words, “We are the children of God, gathered together in the community of God, let us now worship God by bringing in the light.”  These are not just words, they are a fundamental truth of who we are.  We are children of God, and we have been since the moment we consciously recognized who God is and who we are in relation to God.  That relationship did not form independently from ourselves, that relationship was formed with the help of God and with the help of other children of God who taught us and guided our path along the way to where we are today.  

In our season of “Gratitude”, let us take a moment to remember all of those who have come before us and have dedicated their time and care to guiding and encouraging and loving us.  Who have spent hours and hours of their time, showing us what it means to be the “Beloved of God”.  With the blessing and grace of God, we are now the ones who get to teach and guide and encourage the next generation.  Let us always remember to do so with the hope and love of Christ.

We are the children of God, gathered together in the community of God, let us now worship God by leading with love.

Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Lesley