Why it Matters

Erin and I cannot thank you all enough for honoring us with your presence at our Advent Open House! We anxiously look forward to this each and every year, for it it is a time for us to give thank to all of you who have made the past year such a great one, personally and professionally.

Especially after the events of this weekend, we loved to hear the joy of laughter, conversation, and children running around our not-so-kid-proofed home, for in the midst of the company of you, the saints of the church, we were reminded of the presence of God's grace and love through the body of Christ. After what had been a very long weekend, we treasured the opportunity to welcome you into your house and our home.

As I looked back at the picture you see above from last night, I came to realize yet another important fundamental reality about looking at our life within the community of faith known as the local church - by investing ourselves so deeply into one another by taking the time to fully participate in the Body of Christ as much as we can (rather than looking at it as something we get around to if there is 'nothing better going on') we, by our mere presence, are assured once again of God's grace and love. When we are faced with the unspeakable horrors of evil at work in this world, if we don't, by our thoughts, words, and deeds, be intentional about being the light of Christ in each other's lives (and the life of the world around us) then it will be that much easier to get wrapped up in responding to the world rather than anticipating the only thing that will set the world to rights, the coming of the Prince of Peace, Christ our Lord.

During this Advent season, it is a joy to be with you Sundays, Wednesdays, and other times during the week physically, as well as virtually through these messages, for you, dear friends, are, in fact, the real presence of God in our lives. I cannot imagine going through days like last Friday without a strong group of people I have invested in fully with the purpose of loving, encouraging, and strengthening one another by consistently being present in each other's lives through God's grace.

Grace and Peace,

Lamar