One of the most impactful teachings of the Gospel, to me anyways, is how often Jesus shows up without being noticed, without fanfare, in ways people miss. Jesus can come to us the way he came to the Emmaus travelers…walking beside them for miles before they realized it was him. He comes the way he came to the disciples on the shore in the Gospel of John…as a stranger in the morning mist. We’ll see it again in our passage this coming Sunday in Matthew 25. Jesus comes in ways we don’t expect! And that is why our Open Arms commitment is so important. We hope to be the kind of people who are open to Jesus when he comes to us in disguise. 

Our Welcoming Statement for Open Arms reads: “We believe love and faith are action words. As we nurture a place of joy, compassion, and servanthood, we hope to inspire people to reach out in love and service to one another, our community, and our world.”

These words remind us that when we live with joy, compassion, and servanthood, we make space for Jesus to be seen in all sorts of different ways. Sometimes in others, sometimes even in ourselves. It reminds us that reaching out in love is not a grand gesture; it is often a quiet one in the form of a listening ear or something that no one else might notice. I hope we can continue to look for Jesus in the ordinary places of life and that we might catch a glimpse of him in the people we encounter. Let’s keep our eyes, our hearts, and our arms open for when it happens! 

Supporting Our Staff in This Season of Transition

As we prepare to welcome our Bridge Pastor and later our Interim Pastor, I want to express my deep gratitude for our amazing staff and super volunteers. This season will ask more of them in terms of their time and energy and they deserve our wholehearted support! 

Please keep in prayer and encouragement:

• Sandi Kossick, our Secretary
• Marcia Page, our Treasurer
• Sarah Park, our Music Director
• Beth Voynovich, our Custodian
• Faith Brewer, our Children’s Ministry Intern
• Angela Mangieri, our Nursery Attendant
• Cheryl Delaney, Bell Choir Director (volunteer)
• And also two faithful leaders who keep our tech ministry running week after week: Carol Magyarics and Rick Painley–who also serves as Board Chair! (volunteers)

As the leadership of our church shifts, they may need extra hands, extra patience, and extra grace. If you can step in to help even in small ways please do! Let this be a time when the congregation lifts each other up with gratitude, kindness, and tangible support. 

Ash Wednesday – “Tell Me Something Good”

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent which this year is a journey reflecting on the theme “Tell Me Something Good.” All we do together leads us to the gift of Easter morning. We will begin this season on Wednesday, February 18th at 6:30pm with our Joint Ash Wednesday Service. Come to receive the imposition of ashes. It will be a simple, meaningful, grounding service with our sister churches. I hope you’ll join us. Afterward, our Life Study will gather for conversation. 

Invitation to Worship This Sunday

This Sunday will be my final Sunday preaching as the pastor of Mantua Center Christian Church followed by a time of celebration and reflection after worship. On February 22nd, we will share the last worship service of this season of ministry together. I would love to see as many of you as I can before I depart. Your presence has always been a gift and something I have never taken for granted. 

Looking forward to being with you in worship! 

Peace in Christ,
Chad