
Salem United Church of Christ
Westphalia, Indiana
13135 North Salem Road
Westphalia, IN 47596
(812) 694-7438
salemuccwestphalia@gmail.com
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From the November Newsletter
As we approach the upcoming election, I am reminded of how many divisions our culture creates. Left and Right, Rich and Poor, Black and White, Indiana University and Perdue. And I admit that it is easy to be drawn into these dichotomies. To be drawn into playing judge, jury, and executioner. Deciding who is worthy and who is not. Even deciding for myself who is and who is not a Christian.
But here is the reason that that type of thinking does not reflect the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God at its core is not about who we are, but rather whose we are. If God loves everyone (and I believe that is true), then no one is disqualified from entering into the Kingdom (even if I disagree with their choice of who they cheer for in college football).
When I find my heart bent toward trying to decide for myself good and evil, I often come back to this prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
O Divine Master, grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it's in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born to eternal Life
Amen
Pastor Jesse Letourneau
Salem UCC, Westphalia, IN
Micah 6:8
