Message from our Pastor

Dear Family of Bethlehem

Arizona Pastor Jane Tews said: "I sometimes imagine what it would be like if the nightly TV news included a kind of Dow Jones report on the spiritual yield. The announcer might say, for instance, "Well, friends, kindness was up an 1/8 today, but greed rose by 2%. Lust was down a 1/2 point in slow trading, and justice showed no change. Patience reached a new high-closing at 72. Love had a narrow gain to 49%, but peace plummeted when investors panicked."

Tews then added that God's kingdom isn't measured that way. Instead God's kingdom rejoices when hu- man need is meet, when justice is strengthened, when evil is reversed and when people in bondage are freed. God smiles when there is reconciliation among individuals and communities, when grudges are let go, and when rumors cease. God rejoices when false pride is eliminated and when the people of God lift up the people of God.

It is when we let go of our own ways and let God be God that the kingdom of God appears in all grace and

peace. It is when Jesus touches us and we are open to his healing and freeing that we receive the power to be all that God created us to be.

Peace and Blessing to you,

Pastors Jim and Jean

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