“Relationships R Us” 

Have you ever noticed that we pay strangers to do many of the tasks that friends, family and neighbors used to do for us? We employ massage therapists, personal trainers, personal shoppers, counselors, and style advisers. Our family, friends, and neighbors were there for us when we had money, and when we didn’t have any money. They told us things that we wanted to hear, and they told us some things that we didn’t want to hear. Unfortunately, they have been replaced by nice, pleasant professionals whom we pay money to do what our grandparents or neighbors, or friends did out of love and loyalty.

As the pastor here at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church, I would like to think that we can be a throwback to the old days. The Christian faith is a call to relationships, and the church plays a critical role in this call. 

This doesn’t mean that we are always going to agree on things, or see things in the same way. Sometimes, we major in the minors, and forget what’s really important in the Church and what’s not! “We’re singing too many contemporary praise songs!” “We’re singing too many old-fashioned hymns!” “The sanctuary is too hot!” “The sanctuary is too cold.” “This person didn’t greet me after church!” “This person talks too much!” And on and on it goes. Little things that bug us. Differences of opinion about things that don’t really matter in the great grand scheme of things. So, how do we handle these things when they pop up and threaten to undermine the togetherness in the Church? The Bible says, “Be hospitable to one another without complaining” (I Peter 4:9). We do it by opening our doors and hearts to welcome people into our living space and lives. You see, Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church is not a building, -- but it is a prized network of relationships as the family of God.

This Sunday, March 7, which is also Girl Scout Sunday here, I will continue my sermon series, “Extreme Makeover,” as we talk about the “Family Room” of our homes. Please join us in person at either 8:00 am or 10:30 am, or via Zoom, Facebook Live, or on Youtube at 10:30 am.   

Pastor John