Our Summer of Manifesting Christ (Acts 2:42-47)

In the summer and fall months of our church year we celebrate the longest season of the church year. Some call it “Kingdomtide,” while others simply count the Sunday after “Pentecost,” but either way it is the time when we look for signs of the reign of Christ in our world, and we make those signs larger and more visible.  We manifest in our own lives what Christ is doing in His church and in the world around us.

That’s what is so special about the projects we undertake in the summer!  To start things off, we participated in the Relay for Life last Saturday.  Where was Christ in a fundraiser?, you might ask.  Well, you have to have eyes to see, but many of us saw Christ in the teamwork that helped build the team booths from which walkers ventured out to walk the track in honor of survivors of cancer and in memory of those who have gone to be with God.  And many saw the Holy Spirit in the lighting of hundreds of “luminaria” – paper bags filled with sand and a candle that by nightfall surrounded the drive and walking path. The space was transformed into a circle of common prayer where, as all the flames rose skyward, we all were drawn closer to the ones we love and closer to our God.  And many of us saw God in the hands that were held tight as cancer survivors and their caregivers bore silent witness to the love they share with each other as they walked the “Caregivers Lap.”  We weren’t in church, but for all of us ”Daring Disciples” and for so many others that night, Christ was alive in us.

This is what we brought to other events of our “Summer of Manifesting Christ.”  Volunteers prepared snacks, helped with crafts and games and taught Bible lessons to young children at our ecumenical Vacation Bible School on July 9 through 13, and other volunteers brought laughter, encouragement and greater faith to campers at our summer church camps at Crowder State Park!  We invited friends and neighbors to our Ice Cream Social on July 15 and to a special meal with a missionary, Dr. Anil Henry, on August 15.  And yesterday morning, August 19, we once again blessed the backpacks of our children and youth, and blessed the briefcases and shoulder bags of those who work with our younger generation.

You see: it’s all about reframing the conversation, to reveal that Jesus Christ is present through His Holy Spirit, in everything we do.  I look forward to meeting you in all the places where we share this ministry together,

Pastor Paul