904 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501
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We are in the midst of the season of Easter or Eastertide as it is called in some Church traditions. This is a season that focuses on the joy, mystery and gift of Resurrection! Throughout the 50-days of Easter, we here at Oly First are challenged to look for the Risen Jesus in and around us. And IF we look with some intention and open ourselves up to being surprised, we may discover the Risen Jesus in people and places we’d least expect to find him! Consider that a challenge, from me to you. Look for Jesus, the Risen Christ, from the time you read this until May 23rd, the day before Pentecost Sunday. Where you might see, experience, and/or find, the Risen Christ?
There is a lot going on within the life of Oly First! Some of it you are aware of, but there is also things percolating behind the scenes with different Ministry teams as well as the Church Leadership. In this Edition of the Windows, you will read about our continuing focus on community engagement and community development. We have 2 Block Parties we are planning for this summer, the first in June, the second in August. We are also looking to offering 2 Listening Forums for Neighbors, City officials, faith communities and interested others to hear and receive feedback on what dreams, needs, wishes, etc., they have for our surrounding neighborhood with its eclectic mix of renters, businesses, government offices, Non-profits, churches, etc. What exactly our role will or should be going forward, is not clear. But it does make me think about how we want to present ourselves to others as a community of ragamuffin Jesus followers.
In one of the discussions that was had with the Community Engagement Ministry Team, we were discussing the proposed Logo Design and wondering out loud how the process would play out? Somewhere in that back and forth dialogue, a story from John’s gospel came up. In John 1:35—42, Jesus encounters some men who would become some of his first disciples. But in the midst of this introductory encounter, Jesus is asked where his is staying, where is he hanging out?
And Jesus replies: Come and See!
It was an A-Ha moment for me. And I saw it on other faces around the table as well. That’s our invitation, I think? Come and See! Come and see what God is doing here at Oly First! Come and See how God is working and moving and being lived out in the people that make up this flawed but loving community we call Oly First. It’s that plain. It’s that simple. Just “Come and See!” Get a feel for who we are, what we are trying to become and be as followers of the Risen One, Jesus Christ. See the gifts of hospitality and service that we bring together. See the guests who come and are welcomed and received with love and compassion at Table Grace. Hear stories of welcome to those who are strangers in a new land, or finding their footing after being freed from their time of incarceration. Come and See! See if our words match our actions. Come and See if you can find a place amongst us to grow in your faith, to struggle with others as you grow in the ways of Jesus. Come and see who we are, who we are becoming, who we want to be for our neighbors and others that we meet and run into. Come and See if you too are open to being surprised by God and God’s Spirit, sometimes in really different and unusual ways. Come and See!
Sometimes I think we, the “Church,” make things too complicated. We unnecessarily or unconsciously create barriers that keep others at a safe distance. But maybe God is doing something within us that reverses that unfortunate trend. Think about it. We close our times of Worship by reminding ourselves that each and every day we are challenged and called to Walk Humbly, Love Completely, and Live Differently! It’s our riff from Micah 6:8. We also remind ourselves of the simple truth that each person we meet or may meet are Made in God’s Image, are enough in God’s eyes, and that they are deeply, deeply loved! Again, simple, direct, truth! Biblical truth, in case you were wondering. A
And now, a simple but Jesus fueled invitation: Come and See!
Let’s pray about that. If you wonder how to invite friends, neighbors, family to what God has cooking down here at Oly First, just say, Come and See! If they ask what kind of church we are, just smile and say: Come and See! Yeah, we may be Baptists, but we are a different kind of Baptist, so Come and See! Well, they may come back with some kind of test, litmus test type of question or concern and you can patiently, and kindly reply: Come and See! That’s all the type of invitation and reply you will need.
Let’s pray and discover together if we are a Come and See kind of Jesus loving and following community of faith.
Blessings and Joy!
Humble over Hype!
Pastor Mark (Rev)
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