Must be a Sunday thing. Home by 1:30. Started laundry. Changed clothes. Sat down to watch & listen to today’s sermon. So, here I sit…pondering church, the sermon, Crew time, and….rain.

First, we voted on a name for “the merged church” if the two congregations vote affirmatively on the 27th. I was okay with all four. I liked two a lot. The one I voted for…had a good connection to my thoughts

and a great tag line. It was based on the STONES that were placed in honor of God’s guiding the Israelites. Likewise, God has guided my church while we were joyful on the mountain, searching in the valley, and faithful through the storms. The name and people may change, but the reason we gather remains. We gather to serve the Risen Savior. We gather to worship the One True God. He is faithful. He is the Living Stone of our faith. He is the River of Life. As God guides us on the journey, He will be our RiverStone.

Then came, Crew Time. Currently, there are just two of us teaching the elementary group. My sweet friend, Jennifer, teaches one Sunday, and I tackle the others. This month, I teach today and on Easter. The final Sunday is always “Family Worship Sunday”, so I get the privilege of sharing a children’s message during the corporate worship service.

Anyway, our current curriculum is all focused on Jesus. They took “Holy Week” and broke it into many lessons: Triumphal Entry, Widow’s Mite, Washing Feet, Last Supper, Crucifixion (next Sunday), & the Resurrection (on Easter). That means today’s lesson focused on the Passover celebration on the day before Jesus was crucified….now known as the Last Supper. As the kids sat around the two tables, I passed out their “meal” – grapes, 2 types of cheese, & a slice of Italian bread. Then, I poured cups of grape juice. As they enjoyed their healthy snack, I finished reading the passage in Luke 22.

At the end, two girls volunteered to clean off the tables for me as parents were arriving to pick up the kids, I was overwhelmed with the joy I get by teaching children lessons from scripture. I mean, I’m not called to be a staff minister (I tried that once and was miserable.), but I truly enjoy the Sundays I spend with the kids. Now, that doesn’t mean I want to teach them every week because I love worshiping with other believers, but I’ll gladly keep teaching a Sunday or two each month as long as I’m needed.

After the laundry was started (it’s finished now), I started listening to Pastor Brynen’s sermon (as I held an armful of cat). Today was the conclusion of a four part sermon series focused on the greatest commandments. The final message focused on loving others. Even the unlovables (they were created in the image of God and were purchased by the blood of Christ…so they’re all lovable). Even the people who don’t flush the commode. Even the people who walk out of a public restroom without washing their hands. Even people who vote differently than I do. Even those who find practices acceptable that scripture teaches are wrong. Even…your betrayer.

You see, as I taught my group of 13 elementary kids about the Last Supper, we discussed how Judas had his feet washed by Jesus (our lesson two weeks ago) and enjoyed the Passover meal at the same table with the One he would betray. Wow! Jesus loved the one who betrayed Him. Of course He did. He loved the guard who would pierce His side. The ones who would cast lots for His garments. The ones who demanded Barrabas, a notorious prisoner, be released because releasing a murderer was better than the man who “claimed” to be the Son of God.

Yes, we are called to love the “unlovables” because….we’re called to love like Jesus. He loved them all. He loves them all. He loves me with all my weaknesses and failings (aka sin). He loves me when I have not-so-hot thoughts and when I don’t love myself. He loves me. Therefore, I need to be like Him. I need to love those who may not fit the “image” in my mind of lovable because we were created by the One True God and in His image.

Well, that about sums up my thoughts. I may have been a little ADD in this post, but…there were lots of thoughts in my head & heart. I hope at least one of them reached yours.