Our Challenge

            “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
                   name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
                    teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
                                                     (Matthew 28:19-20a)

There was no question when Jesus said this to the disciples that this was a request. It was a mandate—go and do it. And, that mandate comes to us even yet today.

Do you know the family who lives next door to you? If they do not attend worship anywhere, have you invited them to come here?

Do you know someone who needs the touch of compassion in the midst of pain? Have you reached out to them?

Do you know if the people with whom you are in contact every day at work or school have fellowship with people of faith? Can you share that with them?

Those are the kinds of things we are mandated to do by our Christ! We are to reach out and invite and share. We are to be the church in the name of Jesus. We are to give the good word of love to those around us.

And if you think you don’t have the skills or the pluck or the fortitude to do any of those things, that mandate from Jesus ends with these words: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Do you need strength to do what Christ mandated us all to do? He will be with you and help you. That’s our challenge and his promise.

Whew! And then if we obey, what might happen at the First Congregational United Church of Christ?