Page 20 - Lenten Devotional 2023

Saturday, March 4 (cont)

All Are Welcome - Hymn 641

wanted to come to church just to see her. At the Easter egg hunt that year we got a

picture with the two of them, her beloved Vicar Kelsey and Princess Kate (as Kelsey
called her). Kaitlyn has all her eggs and is so proud of herself. She just couldn't wait to

show them to her. In that moment, Vicar Kelsey was a best loving neighbor to my sweet
girl. I've had the opportunity to be a neighbor in First Lutheran in various ways - from
bringing casseroles to people who have had surgery, to providing food to people who
just got out of prison (like my brother had been at one point- hoping that someone in

Pennsylvania would do the same for him), singing in church, leading conversations
about women in the church, leading a call committee search for an Associate Pastor and

being a greeter and teaching FaithTrek. Being a neighbor means to me - doing what
needs to be done, in the community I'm in, when it needs it, and it matches my gifts.
~Dawn Brock (7 yrs with First Lutheran)

We are to help our neighbors. That means anyone who is in need, not just those who are
physically living around us, in their times of weakness or need. They might come to us

as a stranger, they might be on the other side of the world in a moment of need. We can
help in some way possible and we do this because this is how we show our love for
Christ. We love and care for our neighbors because Jesus loves and care for us freely - no

strings attached.
~Connie & Jim Kissling (16 yrs with First Lutheran)

Prayer
Lord, do we see you as a neighbor? Do we take time to greet you throughout our busy
day? When was the last time we invited you into our home? Would we take time to

prepare a meal for you, shovel your walkway or offer a helping hand when needed?
Lord, help us to see you in our neighbors and by loving our neighbor love you as well.

Amen.