“…an opportunity to testify.”  Luke 21:13

This Sunday’s scripture is Luke 21:5-19.  Jesus tells his folllowers that the beautiful temple they’re admiring will one day be demolished.  He then speaks of “wars, rumors of wars…food shortages and epidemics…”

Individually and as Christ Church, we’re living through many challenges,  Jesus’ warnings about troubles back then sound as if he just read or heard a news report today.  Jesus didn’t just speak to them back then – he speaks to us today.

After naming the challenges, Jesus gets to the heart of our faith:  these present troubles “give us the opportunity to testify” – to bear witness, to tell, to show, to be examples of God’s love in the midst of chaos, anxiety, fear, hatred, and division.  We don’t follow Jesus simply to receive his blessings, getting what we can just for ourselves – we receive them so that we can give generously.

This Sunday, November 16 is Consecration Sunday. We will dedicate our financial pledges to Christ Church for 2026 as an act of worship.  Even in our challenging times, especially in these challenging times, we must respond generously to God’s invitation – making our generosity a vital part of our “testimony”, our witness, our example, of how much God’s love in Jesus means to us.

Thank you for being part of our extended Christ Church family.   You are a vital member of the “Body of Christ” that is our congregation.  Your generous prayers, presence, gifts, and service are our testimony to Glens Falls and our region in this challenging season.  Thank you for joining us this Sunday, either in person or online, and thank you for your financial giving in support of Christ Church!

With my blessings,

Rich