A Pastoral Word. . . All the More
Pastor Kevin Freeman
August 24, 2023
Did you make any special requests for your most recent birthday? Maybe you wanted to go out to eat with family or friends, or perhaps there was a gift you were eyeing. Robert Moore of San Jose had a milestone birthday approaching: his 100th! When this soon-to-be centenarian was asked by his daughter Alison how he wanted to celebrate, he responded simply that he wanted to pet some dogs.
Alison decided to reach out to the San Jose community and invite dog owners to bring their dogs by for a quick hello on Robert’s big day. She reached out via social media – NextDoor and Facebook – asking pet owners to stop in, expecting 30 or so pooches to stop by. On June 17, when Robert’s day had arrived, he sat out front by a large set of numbers reading, “100.” He was greeted not by 30 dogs but by over 200!
The line stretched around the block as the community turned out in a big way to show some love. Labs, terriers, corgis, and many other furry breeds padded up the walk for a quick pet from Robert. One dog owner arrived with his two dogs in the back of an fully-restored – and decorated – blue pickup that may be older than Robert! His birthday wish was granted in superb fashion, and the community was strengthened, too.
Alison decided to reach out to the San Jose community and invite dog owners to bring their dogs by for a quick hello on Robert’s big day. She reached out via social media – NextDoor and Facebook – asking pet owners to stop in, expecting 30 or so pooches to stop by. On June 17, when Robert’s day had arrived, he sat out front by a large set of numbers reading, “100.” He was greeted not by 30 dogs but by over 200!
The line stretched around the block as the community turned out in a big way to show some love. Labs, terriers, corgis, and many other furry breeds padded up the walk for a quick pet from Robert. One dog owner arrived with his two dogs in the back of an fully-restored – and decorated – blue pickup that may be older than Robert! His birthday wish was granted in superb fashion, and the community was strengthened, too.
God has wired us to appreciate the significance of events when more of us are present for them. Robert was not the only one blessed by the great crowd of pooches on his birthday; the people who came by were surely touched by the specialness of the event, a specialness they added to simply by showing up. I imagine even the dogs were excited to see each other and had no problem waiting in line for a scratch behind the ears.
You could say that as people made in the image of our Creator, we have been divinely enabled to create specialness by our presence. Our tails wag a little faster, so to speak, as we make a declaration of importance simply by showing up. Now that summer vacation season is ending, our church is poised to launch into a busy fall schedule filled with many special activities. I hope you will add to the specialness by joining us. You are likely to find increased interest among your friends, neighbors, and coworkers, too, so invite them to join you! This issue of our newsletter is packed with many opportunities to get involved. I encourage you to consider two questions:
Where am I growing? Get involved in one of our Bible studies if you aren’t already.
Where am I serving? Find one of the many areas where we need people to join in God’s work.
The author Hebrews puts it this way: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
See you soon!
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
You could say that as people made in the image of our Creator, we have been divinely enabled to create specialness by our presence. Our tails wag a little faster, so to speak, as we make a declaration of importance simply by showing up. Now that summer vacation season is ending, our church is poised to launch into a busy fall schedule filled with many special activities. I hope you will add to the specialness by joining us. You are likely to find increased interest among your friends, neighbors, and coworkers, too, so invite them to join you! This issue of our newsletter is packed with many opportunities to get involved. I encourage you to consider two questions:
Where am I growing? Get involved in one of our Bible studies if you aren’t already.
Where am I serving? Find one of the many areas where we need people to join in God’s work.
The author Hebrews puts it this way: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
See you soon!
Your partner in ministry,
Kevin Freeman
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