Dear Emmanuel Family,

As we reflect on this week's Scripture readings, we encounter profound wisdom from both James and Jesus. James warns us against the dangers of selfish ambition, urging us to seek peace and gentleness instead of conflict and competition. In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples quarrel over who is the greatest among them, only to be corrected by Jesus, who turns their idea of greatness on its head: "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."

Jesus doesn’t leave this teaching in the abstract. He makes it real and tangible by placing a child before the disciples. A child, in Jesus' time, held little social status or power—much like many people in our world today who are often overlooked or marginalized. Jesus says that welcoming a child, or anyone who might seem insignificant, is the true mark of greatness. When we welcome those whom the world overlooks, we are welcoming Jesus himself.

As a congregation, we are called to live this out in our daily interactions and in the life of our community. Who are the people God has placed in front of us? They may be the visitors in our pews, the neighbors we encounter at the grocery store, or the strangers who seek help at our doors. They are the people who may not have a voice, who may not be seen, but whom God calls us to honor.

We are invited to make room for them—both literally and spiritually. To give them a place in our congregation, a seat at our tables, and to make sure they feel truly welcome. This is the work of serving others as Christ has served us.

As we continue our outreach efforts, especially with our outreach focus on organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, may we remember that we are welcoming Jesus when we welcome others. Let us be known not by our positions or accomplishments, but by our love, our service, and our willingness to embrace those who are most easily forgotten.



May we, as a community, always be eager to welcome the people God places before us, just as Christ has welcomed us into his Kingdom.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Will