Called for More: The Grace to Welcome

This fall, we are beginning a new worship theme: Called for More. And Genesis 12 gives us a beautiful place to begin.

Abram’s story is often remembered as a story about one man’s faith. God calls, Abram goes, and a great nation begins to take shape. God says to Abram:

“I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2

The purpose of the blessing is to create a person whose life becomes a source of blessing for others.

Genesis 12 is a story about migration. Abram and Sarai leave the familiar and travel toward a place they do not yet know. Their journey is not identical to the journeys of immigrants and refugees today. But the story invites us to notice something important. Through scripture, migration and the search for a place to call home are deeply woven into the story of God’s people.

Our faith begins with a family on the move. It continues through people who seek safety, freedom, and a future. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we are committed to being a church where people of all people can find welcome and belonging. That welcome is not separate from our faith. It is part of how we live out the love of Christ. And it calls us to keep widening our circle of care because every person is worthy of dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to flourish. 

This past week, many of us held in prayer the families we have been supporting as they seek asylum. They traveled downtown for a court hearing, a necessary step in a process that can be long, complicated, and deeply stressful.

We are grateful to share that the hearing went well, and they are moving forward in the process. Thank you for holding them in your hearts. Faith calls us to show up, offer support, and remain present. 

As we begin this fall together, we are invited to consider the places where God may be calling us to grow. What might God be calling us toward? Not only for our own sake, but for the sake of our neighbors and our wider community?

Maybe God is calling you to more curiosity, more generosity, more patience, or more willingness to listen to someone whose experience is different from your own.

We saw this calling come to life in a beautiful way this past week through God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday. It was a wonderful success, especially our meal-packing event with Rise Against Hunger. Together, we packaged 10,000 meals in less than an hour and a half! These meals will help feed children facing hunger for a full year. What a powerful reminder that when we come together to make a real difference in the lives of others. This is what it looks like to be blessed to be a blessing. 

Generosity is part of this calling, too. Through our money, our time, our attention, our encouragement, our hospitality, and our willingness to share what we have been given.

Abram’s blessing was never meant to stop with Abram. It was meant to move through him and into the world. The same is true for us. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are called for more.

Peace,

Pastor Katie