Trunk or Treat – Finding the Lost

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
-Luke 15:1-7

Some churches do not celebrate Halloween.  They see it as a pagan holiday and not something that Christians should participate in.  Our brothers and sisters in our Spanish and Ukrainian speaking churches do not celebrate the holiday.  They are not better or worse Christians than us.  They just see things differently.  We view our Trunk or Treat event as an opportunity to find the lost.  It is a community outreach where the neighborhood families can find good, safe, wholesome entertainment.

This year, however, we are not holding our Trunk or Treat on Halloween night.  It will be on the last Wednesday of October, the 29th.  Why would we change the date?  To accommodate our sister churches and to plan predictably.  Wednesday is our church night.  The other congregations do not meet for worship or study on Wednesday.  We also do not have Scouts or Bible Study Fellowship or Trailseekers on Wednesday night.  In order to not offend, and not displace our regular events, we decided to place our event on a night they are not usually here.

This means we need to advertise and get the word out about our Trunk or Treat.  It’s happening tomorrow, Oct 29!  If you haven’t signed up to provide a trunk, please call the office.  If you can bring some extra candy, stop by and share.  If you have kids, a neighbor, a grandchild, or friends, bring those young ones and make some fun memories at the church for Trunk or Treat!  Let’s share the love of God with some little lost lambs.  There will be rejoicing in heaven!

This fall, we will practice sharing our stories of faith.  Occasionally we will hear from the Elders and Deacons in worship.  We might even practice sharing a “God sighting” with our neighbors in church.  God has given you a wonderful story to tell!  Please join us in worship this fall as we share our own inspiring stories of faith.

Lord, you created us in your image, and you long for us to share our life together,
But I’m more interested in my own life.
You long for us to have compassion for one another…
But I’m more interested in my own needs.
You long for us to peacefully listen to one another…
But I’m more interested in my own opinions.
God…your love is unconditional… Forgive our conditions.
You draw us together, and call us to be your church… to be your light, shining in the shadows, to be your salt, seasoning a sapless society.
You envision the community we call “church” to be a reflection of life as you intend for all creation. But we’re more interested in deciding who’s in and who’s out… who’s right and who’s wrong… who’s a Christian and who’s not… who belongs at our table, and who doesn’t.
God…your love is unconditional… Forgive our conditions. Amen.