August 21, 2025

Dear Central Church,


I remember the first time I saw a cell phone with a camera. I had what I thought was a pretty cool cell phone. It was a Nokia that not only allowed me to call anyone I wanted at any time from any place, but it also had a game called “snake” that could keep me occupied for hours. It was all I would ever need. 

An 11th grade student came to youth group one evening with a new “flip phone” that had a camera attached to it. I’m embarrassed to say that I looked at this novel invention and concluded it was just a passing fad. Although one of my strengths is “futurist,” I totally missed it on this one. Consequently, no one has ever asked me what stocks to add to their portfolio. 

Cameras on our cellular devices did indeed “stick,” and for the most part, I’m glad they did. Since I don’t have to worry about all the mistakes of my adolescence being recorded and posted to the interweb for the world to view until Jesus returns, I’m able to appreciate being able to capture almost every moment of our lives. 

Lauren and I took our oldest son, Paul, to college this week. Somewhere in the flurry of that trip, I took a moment and scrolled through all the pictures on my phone. Some of them were goofy, but most of them were filled with people who have had a tremendous impact on his life and on the life of our family. 

Many of the pictures on my phone are moments we have experienced together at Central Church. One of the prayers we have always had for our kids is simple, “Lord, send them people who will bless them and point them to you.” I’m thankful for the gift of this life-giving community known as Central Church. We were not created to live life alone but in community with God and others. 

This Sunday, we’re looking at an interesting question that Jesus asks at a dinner party, “Do you see this woman?” (Luke 7:36-50). It was a person who was ostracized and excluded from the community, but Jesus invites those gathered to see her and to know her story. 

Who is not a part of our community? Think of people who may scroll through the pictures on their phone and not see pictures of a life-giving community? Perhaps there are pictures of pain or images of those who use and ignore them. Let’s be a community of people who are always willing to see and welcome the people Jesus wants us to see and welcome. 

By the way, we’re hosting a luncheon after church on Sunday for anyone who is new to Central Church. If you know someone who is new or “new-ish” to Central, invite them to church and join us for lunch after the 10:30 service. 

Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark