Yesterday, November 11th, we observed Veterans Day. Again, to all who have served in the United States Armed Forces, thank you. I’m grateful for the time you gave, the responsibilities you carried, and the sacrifices that service asked of you and your families. If there’s a veteran in your life, take a moment this week to reach out and thank them personally. For me, that includes my parents and father-in-law (all served in the Air Force). And you may remember, I was born at MacDill Air Force Base.
This Sunday, November 15th, we honor a different kind of new birth and type of service. We’ll gather for one combined worship service at 10:00am to celebrate Confirmation. More than 20 eighth graders will stand before our church family and profess their faith. Over the past two months, they’ve been exploring what we believe as United Methodists and why it matters. They’ve learned more about God and God’s grace, explored what it means to follow Jesus in our Wesleyan tradition, learned about other faith traditions, and had a special Q-and-A session with all three pastors.
Along with the Confirmands offering their lives to Christ, I love that Confirmation vows also asks something of the entire congregation. Our students will make promises, and so will we. We’ll promise to pray for them and help them grow in faith. Truly, I hope they hear that promise on Sunday, and then, see it in us and experience it from us (as we serve as one of the five mentors in their lives).
For Confirmation Sunday, we remain in our four-week Psychology Class. This week, we find ourselves in Philippians 3:7-14, finding and claiming, “Joy in Passion & Purpose.” I wonder how many of us have put off doing something we care about because we’re waiting for life to settle down. We tell ourselves we’ll get to it when the calendar opens up, when we feel more prepared, or when we finally figure out what God wants us to do.
Come Sunday, think about what you love to do that could make a difference for someone else. Our passions can be the starting point for living out the purpose we have as followers of Jesus. And, be ready to cheer on our Confirmands, make those promises with them, and consider how God might use what you love to do for the good of someone else.
Remember, it’s not Love University… without U.
With love,
Pastor Corey
The Rev. Corey Jones Lead Pastor
