From the Pastor, January 21, 2021

Greetings, Bay Shore

We are in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. I have been posting every day prayers and images on our Facebook page for you and the community to use. Our posts are more visible to those on Facebook when you “like” them, and especially more effective when you “share” them.

For me, this week is not only praying for Christian Unity—which I think we can all agree, the Body of Christ needs more unity—but it is also a great week for sharing about our faith. Some of those looking from the sidelines, those not engaged in church communities, only see our faults and divisions. They only see what they may have experienced previously in a different church setting. As we pray for unity, we display our desire to be more connected as one. As we share our faith even through a meme, it opens a door to those who may have questions about our faith.

I often hear from my former youth group members who are now 25+ years old share how they constantly defend their faith with those who feel Christians are more judgement than love. Their friends feel that they would not be welcome, or that they do not know enough to enter a building, or that the church they knew as a child was harsh and all churches must confess and believe as that particular church did.  These stories break my heart. Every day since Jan. 18, I have been praying for those who feel this way—they have their reasons, and I pray that if a meme allows them the invitation to ask me what I believe, then my prayers for unity have been heard.

We cannot just pray for unity, we have to actively work on it. Even if its just you, on Facebook or Instagram, sharing the post.

So, Bay Shore, continue to pray for the unity among all who proclaim themselves to be Christian, but also pray for those who are afraid to ask questions and learn more, or those who have anger in their hearts and need healing. Those who are hurting, they need our welcome and prayers. This is “loving thy neighbor” in action.

Blessings to you and your loved ones,

Pastor Sarah