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Dear Siblings in Christ,
This Sunday’s readings remind us what it means to live by faith. The prophet Habakkuk wrestles with injustice and cries out to God, “How long?” (Habakkuk 1:2). The psalmist calls us to “trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3). Paul urges Timothy to “rekindle the gift of God” and not be ashamed of the gospel (2 Timothy 1:6, 8). And in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus teaches that even faith the size of a mustard seed has great power.
Together, these texts remind us that faith is not a matter of size or strength but of trust — trust that God’s promises are sure, even when the world feels shaky. Faith gives us eyes to see not just what is, but what God is making new.
That theme of trust and God’s promises ties beautifully into our Forum this Sunday, where we’ll explore the colors and seasons of the church year. The rhythm of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost is one of the ways the church helps us remember God’s faithfulness.
Like the changing seasons of nature, the colors and patterns of the liturgical year are signs that God’s story is still unfolding in our lives. Blue for anticipation, green for growth, purple for preparation, white for celebration, red for the Spirit — each color reminds us of God’s steadfast presence in every season.
And as we move through this fall, these rhythms prepare us for a special celebration of God’s faithfulness here at Emmanuel: our 65th Anniversary on November 2.
For 65 years, this congregation has gathered around Word and Sacrament, through all seasons of life, to hear the promise of Christ and to be sent out in faith. Just as our readings call us to live by trust, and our worship colors remind us of God’s story, our anniversary will be a chance to give thanks for how God has guided Emmanuel through the years and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
This weekend, may we take courage from the mustard seed faith Christ gives us, delight in the seasons and colors of the church’s worship, and look forward with joy to celebrating 65 years of God’s faithfulness among us.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Will
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