Dear Church Family,
               We are only days away from the mid-term elections which many believe are especially consequential this year.  Political ads flood the TV screen,  my in-box is overflowing with appeals for money and for votes, campaign signs flood our highways. 
               I do not view the success of any political party with the coming of the kingdom of God.  It is flawed human beings we elect to govern us.  God is bigger than and has purposes beyond the political world.  But still, what we do on Tuesday is important and who is elected  does matter for the well-being of our communities and country.   I value candidates for whom there are higher values than winning,  who conduct themselves with  honesty and integrity, and who move beyond attack mode to work with others to solve problems and serve the common good.    Although we don’t all agree on what “taking our Sunday faith into our Monday world” looks like in the electoral process,  God doesn’t want us to leave those Christian principles behind when we vote.  
               There will be a respite from politics on Sunday, as we gather to celebrate communion. The sermon is titled “Table Manners” and the texts are Genesis 18:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 11:17-28.
               The second of our studies on “The Purpose, Power, and Practice of Prayer” will meet on Wednesday at 2 p.m.  Feel free to come even if you missed the first class. 
               See you in church.
Peace and Joy,
Rich