Every congregation has someone who seems to slip through the cracks.  I am often asked where a certain person is.  Sometimes I know and sometimes I do not.  The good news here is that someone did notice!  One of the biggest complaints about church I have heard over the years is that it is too big and no one knows anyone else.  I do not think this is quite true.  I think that though we may not know the people around us well, as in good friends, we do know them as part of the Body of Christ.  It is a call for us to call, visit, be active ourselves if we miss someone at worship or other places in the community.  WE need to do this together.  Yesterday, I visited a woman who has been to JOY only two times in the past 5 years because of health reasons.  We have sung for her at Christmas and although I have been a regular at her home, the times she feels most connected is when others come an talk or sing, be present with her.  YOU are important in the health of JOY.  Keep visiting and be Jesus with skin on here at JOY.  Read Galatians 6:1-10 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Pastor Ed