Healthy churches should encourage both of these practices for their people. In the weekly cycle of worship and life we are invited to “come and see” as we gather for worship, sacraments, and fellowship, but are also invited to “go and share” by not checking our identity as Christ-follower at the door on the way out of church. We live every day as God’s people, gathering with the church regularly for worship, and scattering to our individual lives of vocation, family responsibilities and living as a neighbor.

So how do we “come and see” and “go and share” faithfully as God’s people?

As members of a local church we have a responsibility to one another to be invested in our church community. We have seen the fruit of the investment of many, many Calvary members recently with the successful organization and launch of the ALL IN Campaign. It took many of us, and many hours of work to organize this campaign which will result in our ability to care for our facility and pave the way for future ministry goals to be achieved. On the converse, a church community where members are not invested, but rather simply show up from time to time to receive rather than to give, will never be effective at forming vibrant healthy community, or in moving forward ministry initiatives or goals.

As we come and see, we are fed by our church, but we also give of ourselves for the sake of feeding others. We grow alongside one another in community. Sometimes we are in a position to serve others, share words of comfort or care, or helping to meet earthly needs. At other times, we find ourselves needing to be cared for, and the community in turn feeds and nourishes us. But none of this can happen when people are not willing to invest in their church, giving of themselves in these ways.

As people of God we are also called to go and share. We are nourished by our church community and then sent into the world to live as God calls us, loving our neighbor, and using our talents to better the world. We have been filled with hope as God’s people, and shown the great love of God expressed in his Son, Jesus. As we have been loved, we are called to go and love, even to the point of sacrifice for our families, neighbors, and community.

As we go and share what we have seen of God’s love, we also complete the circle by inviting others to come and see along with us. As we go through our lives we look for the opportunities created by the Holy Spirit to share our faith and hope with other people, and when there is an opportunity, to invite them to come and see and worship as part of the church community.

Now here are some questions to ponder: Are there people in your life who might be blessed by being part of a church community? Are there families whose children might love being around other kids here at Calvary where they can grow in faith and enjoy the fellowship of a loving church home? Are there those who may be people of faith who been part of a church community who might be blessed by receiving an invitation? Sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation, a little push.

Come and See! Go and Share! The joyful ebb and flow of disciples.

~Pastor Mike Middaugh

---

UPCOMING EVENTS

---

THIS SUNDAY

The readings for this Sunday are: Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18.