Today there is a gathering of people who would like to join JOY and make JOY their Church home.  It is amazing!  Often people will not join when a pastor is leaving.  That is not the case here.  This is a tribute to the gifts and hospitality of the people of JOY.  But that is not my topic this morning.  i just wanted to remind us all of the difference between “members” and “disciples.”  Members have privileges.  When they join an organization, there is some expectation of what you are going to receive.  Often the joining is about the member.  When you are a disciple, you follow the leader and there are responsibilities.  At Church, you do expect to receive the Word of God and some thought provoking messages and hospitality from others.  But the main notion for disciples is not “What do I get?”, but “What can I do?”  At Church, there will be opportunities to be ministers to others in many ways.  There will be opportunities to serve God and other people: from prayer to assisting ministers at worship, to choir, to Bible Studies, to community service of various kinds.  This is what one signs up for as a disciple at JOY.  This is who one is as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  See the people around you?  They are the reason for the Church.  We are here to proclaim the love of God in Jesus Christ and to use words if necessary.  Along with our new disciples this morning, renew your vow to be a follower, a disciple of Jesus and serve God as you are given the gifts to use.  Read Galatians 5:1-26 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Pastor Ed