November 20

Dear Central Church,


Do you have a “brother from another mother”? Or maybe a “sister from another mister”? It may sound like I’m asking you to describe your “blended” family, but I’m really talking about those people who feel as close to you as a brother or sister.

Every follower of Jesus is part of a blended family—a reality that is profoundly counter-cultural in today’s world. Increasingly, our culture is being shaped by “sameness,” as homogenizing algorithms and divisive political rhetoric seek to sort people into groups that can be easily persuaded and even more easily pitted against one another.

But the people of God are called to live into a different vision. Writing to a church made up of both Jews and Gentiles, Paul describes the radical difference Christ makes in human relationships:

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his family.” (Ephesians 2:19)

Everyone—regardless of bloodline, status, or pedigree—is declared through Christ to be a member of God’s family. It means followers of Jesus have more “brothers from other mothers” than we can count! It also means there is always room for our “sisters from other misters” in this great big blended family known as the Church.

You’ll see this on full display this Sunday! In what has become a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, all three of our congregations will gather to celebrate what God is doing among us and to give thanks for His gracious provision throughout the year. We’ll worship in three different languages, and my brother, Rev. David Gonzalez, will preach a message reminding us that we are one big family.

As a reminder: we will not have Life Groups this Sunday, and there will be one service only at 10:30 a.m.

Be sure to stick around afterward for the Youth Ministry auction! This is a great opportunity for the family to eat together and to help raise funds for our students attending Nazarene Youth Conference. In addition to delicious desserts during the live auction, we have an online silent auction—featuring items like a Royals baseball experience with yours truly!
 
I look forward to seeing all my brothers and sisters this Sunday as we celebrate God's faithfulness together!


Until He's Finished,
Pastor Mark