We know that faith expressed by each Christian strengthens other Christians. We share with others our experiences of God's intervention in our lives.

As people who believe in the power of prayer, we pray together and offer opportunities to learn more about prayer.

Music is a powerful conduit through which the Holy Spirit inspires us. We take comfort in traditional hymns but we also offer many varieties of music to celebrate the diversity of our congregation.

We promise to nurture children in the Christian life when they are baptized; therefore, we volunteer to teach Sunday School and understand ourselves to be role models for the children in our church family.

We have learned through adversity that God is always with us and that the community of faith sustains us. 

The Spirit of God is present in our worship service. We treasure both the traditions or our reformed faith and also our new liturgies.

We welcome each new person with joy. We share fun and meals. We grow spiritually by studying, working and praying together.

We acknowledge that God has richly blessed each one of us with many talents which we use to help others and to reflect God's glory.

When I first started as an Associate Pastor for Youth and Children, I found a wonderful little book of skits called “The Weird Angel”.  They were three to five minute skits for use as the children’s sermon.  The pastor would start a children’s sermon on the topic of the day and would get interrupted by a weird angel with a tilted halo who always came to bring good news…

Sometimes the angel had things kind of mixed up and the pastor had to straighten her out.  Sometimes the pastor was missing the point and the angel helped him see it.  But in the end together they always got the point across.

One of my favorite ones was the “Vacation Angel”.  Since we are getting into that time of year I thought I would share the general idea with you.

The pastor starts his children’s sermon and of course is interrupted by the angel.  She comes galumphing down the aisle in swim fins, snorkel mask, and Hawaiian shirt with a camera around her neck.  Pastor thinks that this is totally in appropriate for church.  Vacation time is always stressful for a pastor.  Attendance is down, people are running around.  They tend to forget about church and about God.

The Angel gently reminds the pastor that God worked rest into the very fabric of creation.  Taking time to enjoy the beauty of creation at the beach or in the mountains always makes God happy.  But what we need to remember is that wherever we go on vacation, God goes with us.  Don’t forget to take time for God! 

If you are able, find a church to worship in while you are away.  If your schedule doesn’t permit it, most hotels have Bibles right in the room.  Read a passage or two.  If you are there with family or friends, discuss what the passage means.  Sing a verse or two of a familiar hymn or praise song.  Remember to pray.  If you do visit some church along your way, why not bring a bulletin back.  We can make a display documenting our summer travels!  Have a blessed and safe summer!

Love in Christ,

Pastor Karen