For the last few Saturdays, Mell and I have travelled to nearly every Bazaar type function we could find in the newspaper. We had a great time meeting people in the church in a more relaxed way. We also bought a lot good cakes and pies that I will have to work off. But for me it was a chance to see your church in action in a different way.
I also learned a lot about how your church reaches out to strangers. I saw example after example of kindness displayed to strangers who wandered in to look at your yard sale items but in one of your church members found an example of Christ at work. I saw kindness and lots of patience on display.
One couple walked in confused and I watched someone leave their station and escort them around the various booths explaining the craft and food items. Then I saw her with pride on her face ask if they would like to see the rest of the church.
At another church I noticed a worker talking quietly to a customer. Then she gently led the customer to her pastor, Within a few minutes the pastor and the customer slipped out of the room. I found out later from the worker that the customer had just been diagnosed with cancer. The worker knew her and introduced her to the pastor.
Yes, I know the Bazaar is meant to be a fund raiser for the church and I enjoyed being a participant but I also saw the church in action in other ways. I know people will often go to a Bazaar on Saturday but won’t come to worship on Sunday. The Bazaar represents your chance to be the church for them.
One of my Facebook friends suggested this passage of Scripture to guide us as we work at being the church:
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Col. 3:12-15)
What a great formula for how to be the church in the midst of everyday life.
· We are chosen by God to be holy people.
· We must clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
· We should make allowance for each other’s faults.
· Remember the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.
· We should clothe ourselves with love which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
· Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.
· For as members of one body we are called to live in peace.
· Always be Thankful.
Visiting a lot of church bazaars I found many examples of the church in action.
So today, as you prepare to preach, I will be praying for you to guide your church to be the church wherever they happen to be: school, work, play or a church bazaar.
Every day they will be given opportunities to be a representative for God.
· We are chosen by God to be holy people.
· We must clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
· We should make allowance for each other’s faults.
· Remember the Lord forgave you so you must forgive others.
· We should clothe ourselves with love which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
· Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.
· For as members of one body we are called to live in peace.
· Always be Thankful.
It’s a great challenge. Maybe that’s why I’m learning to pray more.
May God fill you with courage and compassion today.
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