– by Rev. Jeff Gannon
The classic Christmas song, I heard The Bells On Christmas Day is always a reminder of the task and calling we have as a congregation in the 21st Century today!
Particularly, the following line:
‘And in despair I bowed my head; ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on Earth, good-will to men.’
As I conclude the Advent sermon series titled, “Our Greatest Needs – God’s Greatest Gifts,” the word for this day and this week is “peace”.
God’s peace is shalom. God’s peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the Presence of God in the midst of the conflict. It is a peace the world cannot give and cannot take away. It is a peace which comes from God through Jesus the Christ and we are called by God to share it, to spread it, to make this message known in every place, in every way, for every person.
As we prepare for 2015, may I express my gratitude to each of you for your willingness to support with your prayers and your finances our ministry to teach, preach, and share God’s peace with a world desperately in need.
If we don’t do it, who will?
Only the Church of Jesus Christ has such a call. Only the Church of Jesus Christ has such a gift.
I am all in, how about you?
May the peace of Christ be with you!