All are welcome for food, fellowship and fun at the Annual All-Church Picnic, Saturday, June 22, 5:00 p.m. at Mill Creek Park, in Independence.

To learn more about our summer DAY CAMP July 29-Aug. 2, contact us at fpcindep@swbell.net or 816-252-6662.  Children grades K-6th, 9:00-5:00 daily.

Join us at 9:30 or 11:30 a.m. Sundays for worship!

Handbell and Chancel choirs add their "voices" to the worship service.

As much as we struggle with the commercialization of Christmas and even Easter, at least people recognize when these holidays come along – churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike.  And I like to think that everyone meets Jesus Christ on one level or another at those times.  But when it comes to Pentecost (May 19), how many of us actually know a non-churchgoer who recognizes this day as the birth of the church universal?  Many people have never heard about the founding of Christ’s church – how the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples enabling them to speak in such a way as to attract new people to the faith.

In the days leading up to Pentecost this month, what might you say to someone that would open a way for him or her to join you at church?  Church is one place, whether it’s before, during or after Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit promises to touch people in new, exciting and hopeful ways.  One of the things you could say to another person is, “Hey, would you ever consider visiting my church on Sunday?  I just get so much out of it, that I really want to share it with others.”

If you haven’t said those words to another person recently or maybe ever, then there are two people missing out on the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  God is ready to work a miracle in you by bringing someone closer to faith in Jesus Christ.  And in being such an instrument of God’s welcome, we have this assurance from Romans where it says, “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart. … But how are they to call on One in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in One of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim Him?  And how are they to proclaim Him unless they are sent?”[1]

If you are reading this column, you have been sent.  Christ has led you to this moment in your spiritual journey and is asking you to step out in faith to make a difference in the life of another human being.  “Hey, would you ever consider visiting my church …?”  Who knows, maybe they would.