It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving
It was the Sunday before Thanksgiving, the last Sunday of the church year – so most Lutheran congregations were celebrating that event in a very traditional manner with Scripture readings and sermon centered on the importance of being prepared for the arrival of the Bridegroom. It is good to reflect on that aspect of Christian life and how it should have an impact on how we interact with those around us who may not know Jesus. What if your neighbor doesn’t have his lamp filled with oil when the Bridegroom comes?
On that same Sunday in another place a congregation was celebrating Thanksgiving. The Scripture emphasis was the story of the 10 Lepers who were healed, only one of which came back to return thanks. The church was full of young families and small children. The atmosphere was charged with excitement. The hymns were full of praise and thanksgiving and joy. The sermon was intense and full of energy and emotion. The prayers of thanksgiving were heartfelt and sincere. The service was in Spanish, but there was no doubt about what was being celebrated and Who was being thanked. As the only Anglo visitors, we could understand almost nothing of what was being said in the service, but we had no problem connecting with the spirit of it. St. Paul described Christian joy as overflowing joy – exuberant joy…and that’s how it was.
Later we sat at lunch with Xochitl and Reynaldo and their two small sons, and enjoyed having conversation with them as they practiced English and struggled to find the words to communicate their thoughts and feelings. The young husband said, “We had not found a place to worship until today!” This worship experience was not in Mexico or Panama or Guatemala. We were in a neighborhood very near downtown Houston, Texas. On this particular Sunday, Xochitl and Reynaldo were among the thirty visitors from ESL (English as a second language) classes who had been invited to worship at Centro de Fe y Esperanza Lutheran Church and participate in a Thanksgiving lunch following the church service.
As with many mission efforts throughout the world, success is not measured in dollars and cents or in numbers of new members. Success is measured when one person recognizes Jesus as his Savior and wants to follow Him.
With the support of LINC-Houston, Centro de Fe is having an impact and making a difference in the Denver Harbor Community through ESL classes for adults and soccer for neighborhood youth. In far west Houston, Family of Faith Lutheran Church has, from its ESL classes and soccer activities, formed a weekly Bible study of over 30 adults and a youth group of nearly 20 and are ready to begin an alternative worship service in Spanish in January 2003.
Social ministry is not an end but always the means to the goal of bringing the message of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet become followers of Jesus. Volunteers from Lutheran congregations north of 1960, west of 290, south of 288 and east of I-59 are partnering with LINC-Houston to provide leadership, manpower, and financial support to ensure that the Gospel is being shared in urban Houston.
What if your neighbor doesn’t have his lamp filled with oil when the Bridegroom comes?
On that same Sunday in another place a congregation was celebrating Thanksgiving. The Scripture emphasis was the story of the 10 Lepers who were healed, only one of which came back to return thanks. The church was full of young families and small children. The atmosphere was charged with excitement. The hymns were full of praise and thanksgiving and joy. The sermon was intense and full of energy and emotion. The prayers of thanksgiving were heartfelt and sincere. The service was in Spanish, but there was no doubt about what was being celebrated and Who was being thanked. As the only Anglo visitors, we could understand almost nothing of what was being said in the service, but we had no problem connecting with the spirit of it. St. Paul described Christian joy as overflowing joy – exuberant joy…and that’s how it was.
Later we sat at lunch with Xochitl and Reynaldo and their two small sons, and enjoyed having conversation with them as they practiced English and struggled to find the words to communicate their thoughts and feelings. The young husband said, “We had not found a place to worship until today!” This worship experience was not in Mexico or Panama or Guatemala. We were in a neighborhood very near downtown Houston, Texas. On this particular Sunday, Xochitl and Reynaldo were among the thirty visitors from ESL (English as a second language) classes who had been invited to worship at Centro de Fe y Esperanza Lutheran Church and participate in a Thanksgiving lunch following the church service.
As with many mission efforts throughout the world, success is not measured in dollars and cents or in numbers of new members. Success is measured when one person recognizes Jesus as his Savior and wants to follow Him.
With the support of LINC-Houston, Centro de Fe is having an impact and making a difference in the Denver Harbor Community through ESL classes for adults and soccer for neighborhood youth. In far west Houston, Family of Faith Lutheran Church has, from its ESL classes and soccer activities, formed a weekly Bible study of over 30 adults and a youth group of nearly 20 and are ready to begin an alternative worship service in Spanish in January 2003.
Social ministry is not an end but always the means to the goal of bringing the message of Jesus Christ to those who have not yet become followers of Jesus. Volunteers from Lutheran congregations north of 1960, west of 290, south of 288 and east of I-59 are partnering with LINC-Houston to provide leadership, manpower, and financial support to ensure that the Gospel is being shared in urban Houston.
What if your neighbor doesn’t have his lamp filled with oil when the Bridegroom comes?
Labels: articles