Dear Friends,

Greetings to you on this day. We finally received a break in the weather and have been experiencing the spring that everyone in Atlanta loves. Thank you for supporting Mexico Celebration Sunday on such a rainy day last Sunday. The light of God was shining bright inside the sanctuary through our youth leading us in worship.

Coming back across the border from Mexico a few weeks ago, I was by myself in a car. The hour or so wait gave me time for reflection, Much of this hour was spent parallel with the border fence that divides Mexico and the United States. There was a gentleman along the road that I can’t get out of my mind. He was in a wheelchair, having lost his legs at some point in his life. He spent time rolling up to the windows of cars, asking for change. As you sit in the border line, there are various people selling items and begging for money. You can’t blame them, they have a captive audience. As the man rolled towards my car, I almost subconsciously turned my gaze away so as not to make eye contact. I was tired, worried about being on time for a flight to Kansas City, basically just mired in my own stuff. He rolled past me to the next vehicle.We are beginning a new sermon series this Sunday entitled Living in the Light, based on the book of 1 John. The author poses this question, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” (! John 3:17) As you can imagine, this has been working on me the last few weeks. I wonder how often we get caught  up in ourselves to the point where we become blind to the needs of others. The first sermon in our series is entitled “Deep Living,” This promises to be an excellent Sunday to invite people to worship.

I want to say a quick word about giving and stewardship. This is a point in the year when church leadership begins to look at giving patterns so that we make sure we are on a faithful stewardship track. I want to invite you to take a look at your giving so far in 2015. Pray about how you can continue or you can be a more faithful giver. We give out of thanksgiving for what God is doing in our lives and the world. I give thanks for your faithful generosity.

I look forward to celebrating God’s grace this Sunday as we continue to seek, serve, and grow together.

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” Albert Schweitzer 

Grace and peace,

Danny