Hello My OCC Family,
What a gift it was to hear from the young people in our church this week.
The children opened our time on Sunday with songs full of happiness and pureness of heart. This pastor was so proud of them! Their singing was beautiful as they offered worship with their whole being. Listening to them, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:3, that says, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What we witnessed was not only adorable, I believe it also was a glimpse of how God delights when we as God’s children worship the Lord. Our children’s joy invited us to remember that wonder still has its place in the Church.
AND what about the devotions offered by Christina, Salima, and Victor?! It takes courage to stand before your church family and speak a word of faith to the people from your own well. Each of them shared from the bible, centered in the faith path they are living out with God. As we are currently in a world where so many young people are turning from the ways of the church, their choice to walk faithfully with the Lord invites us, as elders in the faith, to keep pouring into them with consistent support, prayer, and mentorship. Their commitment should encourage us all.
Christina began with Yes, Lord, offering us a reminder that obedience is where the journey of faith begins. Salima followed with Keep Going, Never Give Up, and her message came with such assurance of God being real when we pray and ask for help. After church, I happened to be ear hustling and I saw and heard Jeanne Foster pulled Salima aside with a big smile, saying, “Great job.” Her heart was seemingly glad as she recalled having Salima in her Sunday school class years ago, when English was still new for her. To watch her sharing God’s word with the church now, was a blessing to see. If you are a Sunday school teacher know that how you are serving matters, and your fruit will spring forth in due season.
Victor closed us with Don’t Stop Now, calling us to live out what we believe, to keep moving, keep serving, and keep trusting. He spoke of trusting God through his health challenges, a testimony that many of us have witnessed firsthand. Even the doctors have wondered how he can say, “I’m okay.” His devotion reminded us that sometimes the most powerful faith is the kind that dares not to give up and one that keeps trusting even when the road ahead is not clear.
I promise I am almost done; I know this is a longer than usual blurb, but I need to say this too. Jessica, Daniel, Jay, Rashaud, Isaac, Eva, Nzizsa, and Tatianna, we see you. Your names aren’t tucked in here as an afterthought. You show up week after week, serving faithfully behind the scenes, often without recognition, and always with faithfulness. Some of you are navigating unique challenges, and still, you keep showing up. Running tech. Managing slides. Capturing photos. Welcoming others. Supporting worship. You are part of what makes this church go round, and we don’t take that for granted. You may not be in the spotlight, but your faithfulness matters in this ministry. We are a better church because of each you, and we are super grateful.
Throughout Sunday its evident we caught a clear glimpse of the Holy Spirit at work. We saw it through the youngest who sang, the youth who served behind the scenes (yes, even for Munch and Mingle, we see you), and those who stood and shared from Holy Scripture. Joel 2:28 says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.” That promise is not a far-off hope. It is taking place amongst us now, in our children, youth, and young adults.
With every way our young people have shown up, singing, serving, speaking, we were all given a new invitation.
As we have seen in the young people’s faithfulness and as we also
heard in the devotions, it’s a good time to ask you:
Where is God inviting you to say yes?
Where do you need to keep going?
What step are you being asked to take?
God is speaking in every generation. And thanks be to God, we are a church that listens.
With love,
Rev. Tam
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