Last Friday evening, Kelly and I spent some time with our daughters in Carrollton.  After the grandkids were finished swimming and splashing us, they retired to the house for a movie.  The movie in the player was not what they wanted to watch, so I was summoned to the TV room to assist with the selection of a new movie.  The movies were on a shelf out of reach of little girls.  Desiring to make her own selection, four-years-old Parker said, “Lift me up, Moku, lift me up!”

There is an important message for all of us in her request.  The role of the body of Christ is to lift each other up.  Sometimes, we lift each other up by surrounding one another in prayer, holding each other accountable to our discipleship journey, or banding together to bring a moment of relief to a hurting world.

On Sunday, August 25, a group from First Decatur banded with other Methodists across the Northwest District to serve a hungry world.  Following our worship service with Rev. Todd Harris, newly appointed District Superintendent, we gathered to assemble thousands of pre-packaged meals that would make their way to the eastern coast of Honduras.   As we worked to assemble these bags of vitamins, vegetables, soy, and rice, we shared a common witness to the love of Christ among us and through us.

Beginning on September 4, the ReConnect mid-week program begins again.  This is an opportunity to gather around the common table to break bread (and whatever other delightful delicacies are set before us by a talented group of cooks) followed by a time of devotion for all ages.  Details of ReConnect are elsewhere in The Voice.  The vision of this congregation is that faithful people seek opportunities to learn and grow.  This is a perfect place to lift each other up as you learn and grow together.

Lifting each other up in prayer, discipleship, and mission is central to the Christian life.

Lift us up, church, lift us up!

See you on Sunday,

Pastor Cassie