The Apostle Paul proclaimed the gospel on the Areopagus with these words:

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24-25).

The gifts God gives to us are not for his benefit (see 1 Corinthians 12). We serve him by exercising our gifts in the context of the church, but not because the Lord lacks anything.

God gives us gifts to share with others.Truthfully, we need one another. Our gifts and graces are a primary means by which the Lord provides what others in the church may lack. We are all in this together!

Together, we give and receive doctrinal instruction so we may advance in maturity (Eph. 4:11-14). Together we serve and are served by one another so the body is complete, possessing everything it needs for health and growth (1 Cor. 12). Ultimately, “when each part is working properly” the body of Christ grows so that it builds itself up in love (Eph. 4:15-16).

Love is the greatest Christian virtue (1 Cor. 13:13). Love is definitional of any community that calls itself Christian.

If a church does not have love, it is not a church. The church is, in fact, the arena where we learn to receive and give God's love.

Wonder of wonders, God has poured out His own love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). So, Christian love is other-directed because it is the love of God given to us. God's love for His creation moved Him to send His only Son to save us (John 3:16).

Our purpose as a church is to serve one another in God's love and after the model of Christ. God's love is giving. And as we receive and share God's generous gift of love, God is fulfilling God's purpose for our church in and through us!

This outpouring of love is truly evident in our church. Experience it yourself by attending our family service at 11 a.m. this Sabbath Saturday.

Bless God, your family and our church during this wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Your servant pastor,

Duff