Families are strange and wonderful things. Some are formed through births and marriages. Some are chosen. Some of us have no choice about the families in which we find ourselves, while some of us have carefully chosen whom we will call family. And yet, every family finds that it has its own unique cast of characters that make life together interesting, fun, meaningful... and difficult. In all of it, family is family regardless. Connected by love, a common heritage, covenants, commitments, and shared experiences a family travels through time together. Families are shaped by all those members who went before, and they will continue to evolve as future generations come and go. And so it is with the church. Connected in Christ, we are who we are because of who has come before, who is among us now, and the lasting legacy we hope to leave for those yet among us. On this All Saints Sunday we celebrate the household of God in its yesterday, its today, and its tomorrow. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsS_atMmR4k

If you had to spend the rest of your life on a deserted island—and you could only take three things with you—what would you take? It's likely that you would choose to take things that ensured your survival into the future, like a knife, matches, and a water filter. While we might want to take things of sentimental value, it is really only those things that contribute to a meaningful future that would earn a place in our backpack. When we think about our futures, what kinds of things do we suppose will have meaning there? Will our children value our old furniture - or the resiliency and work ethic we gifted them? Will the organizations we've been a part of need the things we accomplished through them in the past - or the quality culture we helped build? And when we think about the future of the Church, what will the future Church need to remain a faithful and effective witness for Jesus in the world? There really are only a few things of value that the future Church needs... and those things are all about God's promise, provision, and direction. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KTEVfCGQis

Scripture is filled with intriguing characters who left profound legacies. As we look closer, we find that they were not that different from us. They too, experienced challenges, heartaches, successes, and failures. Their lives knew fear, doubt, and worry, and yet their lives bear witness to the everlasting story of God’s hope and love for God’s people. The Holy Spirit is hoping to do the same thing in our day and age through people just like us. We are called to be a story of hope, joy, and purpose that encourages and inspires future followers. What will be your legacy? Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4PElC75-u0

The month of October and its big event, Halloween, remind us of just how many things we are afraid! We're afraid of imaginary ghosts and goblins that lurk in shadowy places. We’re afraid of the dark, of things that go 'bump' in the night, and powers we don't understand. We're afraid of heights, of snakes, and of spiders. We’re afraid of getting sick, failing in our job, and losing an important relationship. We’re afraid of tomorrow and of the unknown. And while all these fears are real, so is God. When you are afraid, cling to the God who promises, "do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NRSVUE) Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1isbNwRHjs4

Sometimes mere words aren’t enough. Sometimes what we’re facing escapes the bounds of language and human description. Sometimes what we face defies our ability to make any sense. It’s in moments like this that our hearts are broken, our faith is challenged, and we’re so crushed that to even pray seems impossible. Jesus, upon the death of His friend Lazarus, and seeing Mary weep, “He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” (John 11:33) For the man, Christ Jesus, mere words could not describe the grief He was experiencing in that moment of loss. Let the irony, transparency, and humanity of that moment sink in; the ONE whom John said was THE WORD (John 1:14), had no words. He wept. He groaned. He was troubled. Why is Jesus so qualified to come to your aid? He doesn’t sit idly by and witness your pain and suffering, He too groans in earnest empathetic pain, and He’s ready to do something about it. The life and ministry of Jesus calls us to a place of living a life of love and not fear. We are a people of prayer. We are a people of hope. We are a people who can allow the love of Christ to shine through us in our everyday mission of loving people through acts of kindness, even in the midst of grief and despair. Before God’s Spirit would eventually intercede with unutterable “groanings” that were too great, too intense, too overwhelming, and too painful for words, Jesus groaned and wept with humanity, committing to never leave us nor forsake us. Worship Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wunZtEDG6Y0

Have you ever encountered a dead end when you are driving? We all have. And just as surely, we have all experienced dead ends in our lives - those predicaments and situations from which we don't see a way out. But don't despair. We are not alone at those dead ends. Jesus is right there with us. And dead ends are never dead ends with Jesus. Jesus always provides a way forward. Worship Link: https://youtu.be/YwtgKYijHrM