During a walk in the warm weather last week (before that surprising winter storm hit), I noticed the buds on the trees popping out and reaching towards the sun. I was reminded of a few years ago when we used the symbol of the tree to illustrate our mission statement at Norwalk First Presbyterian Church.
These simple phrases really say it all!
Rooted in Grace: Our faith and hope is anchored, rooted in the knowledge that we are part of God’s kingdom by the grace of God, not by anything we have done or the money we have paid or the memberships we have, or the people we know … “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God.” Eph 2:8 NIV. This truth is the foundation to our lives and our presence here at First Presbyterian and this truth is that on which everything else flows from/grows from.
Growing in Christ: We know that it is through the nurture of our fellowship here at church and through our small groups that we grow together in Christ. We seek to increase our knowledge of Him through studying the Word individually and together.
Reaching out in Love: Our expression of the truth of God’s grace and love is to reach out to others in that love through mission and outreach programs. More importantly it means we try to reach out in love in our everyday lives, in our everyday places, around our everyday people. Mother Teresa said that “Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand ,” about the people she cared for, “each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” Oh, that we would strive to treat all people like that!!!
So as you walk in the warm sunshine of spring which is surely around the corner, and look upon God’s wonderful creation, notice the trees and think about the mission of our church. wonderful creation, notice the trees and think about the mission of our church