Between Sundays – Known By Our Love – Week of September 1, 2025
The end of the book of Hebrews (13:1-8, 15-16) works to summarize the most important aspects, not only of the book itself, but of a life of faith. The words we have read over the last four weeks provide a helpful overview of the traits of a faithful Christian, and they also serve as an opportunity for self reflection. Which is to say that the final instructions we’ve been pondering throughout the month of August were not just for a single community at a particular time, they are for all people who follow the way of Jesus in every time . . . and that means us in this time!
The writer of Hebrews provided these final instructions for the church. Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, . . . Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them, those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all (Hebrews 13:1-4).
Like the community for which these words were written, we know what it means face uncertainties, doubts, struggles and suffering in our journey with Jesus. We face threats and to want to close ranks. We know what it means to live in a society divided by class, by beliefs, by wealth, by status, by politics, by just about any category we can name. In the face of these challenges, the temptation to turn inward and abandon the way of Jesus is perhaps the greatest temptation of all.
It is always easier to turn away, to ignore, to turn off, to silence, than it is to listen, to experience, and to feel the pain of the world around us. It is all too much . . . and what can any one of us really do? But the final instructions left for us is not a challenge to solve the problems of this world, but to continue grounding our lives in mutual love. This is how we remember that we are Jesus’ disciples, by our loving each other, each stranger, each neighbor, each person.
Children of God, siblings of Christ, heirs of eternity, mutual love is how the world will know who and whose we are. This is true yesterday, today, and tomorrow. LOVE is how everyone will know that we are disciples of Jesus.
P.S. View Sunday worship through our YouTube channel and listen to the Gospel and Pastor Amy’s sermon (beginning at 16:46). Links to previous worship videos on Facebook and YouTube are always available on our website.
Faith Connection at Home
Our Fall Kick-Off is coming with opportunities for children and youth of all ages!
Worship for Kids (for ages 3 through 2nd grade), JOY (for grades 3-5), and LYO (grades 8-12) all resume starting on September 7th!
Confirmation Ministry for Grades 6-8 kicks off with a family potluck on September 14th. Speak with a Pastor if your child plans to begin the Confirmation program this year.
Come and see. You Matter!
Ponderings
Theologian N.T. Wright was asked to imagine offering final instructions to his children in preparation for his death. He saw he would tell them, “If you want to know who God is, if you want to know it means to be human … what love is, … what grief is, look at Jesus … and go on looking until you’re not just a spectator, but you’re actually part of the drama which has him as its central character.”