From the Pastor
First Presbyterian Church of Honeoye Falls
June 2008

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Several persons have asked if I would print in the June newsletter the reflection questions I asked during the sermon on May 4 ^th.

There were two sets of questions. The first questions go to the core of your personal connection with the good news of Jesus Christ.

When did the word "Jesus" become more than just a word for you?
Who or what helped that to happen?
What difference does it make—to you—that Jesus is more than just a word for you?
What difference does (or might) Jesus make for any person?

In Acts 1:8 Jesus says, "You will be my witnesses." That is the basic job description of the Church, and of the people who make up the Church. Those four questions are rooted in that fundamental job description.

The second questions are these (and I asked for a show of hands):

How many of us have encouraged someone to see a particular movie?
Taken someone to see that movie?
How many of us have talked up a particular car or truck?
Allowed someone to ride in—even drive—that vehicle we're excited about?
How many of us have shared with someone our discovery of a terrific restaurant?
Put someone on to a great new website?

Lots of hands went up. Then I asked for a show of hands: How many of us felt pushy when we did those things? No hands went up.

"Why," I asked, "Are we afraid of being pushy when we share the most important thing in our life . . . that Jesus is more than just a word to us, and the reason for that?" What is it that makes it easier to share a great golf course than to share the power of Christ in our lives? And the point of those questions is NOT to make us feel guilty or inadequate or that we don't measure up.

The point is that we know—implicitly and naturally—what it means to share good news, because we do it every day. I encouraged each of us to get in touch with the "really great car, super golf course, great vacation spot, awesome new CD, super movie" aspect of our faith . . . and to find someone (anyone) to share that with.

I encourage you to spend a few minutes each day with the questions above. As you do so, simply pray that God's Spirit will move through you, and that you will be open to where and how the Spirit leads you.

We know how to share good news. We do it every day.

Grace and peace to you,

Reverend Val