As followers of Jesus, we are called to love each other, our neighbors and even our enemies. What does that love look like? How can we fully embrace even our worst enemies? What are the barriers that keep us from loving people with the unconditional love of God? What will it take for us to be set free from all the mechanisms of self-protection that prevent us from loving each other as our Heavenly Father loves us? As we enter a new year and search for a pastor to lead our church family, what is the vision that has emerged? I am delighted to tell you that my heart is rejoicing about the results of the recent survey we took asking you the question: “What would you like to see in a pastor?” In looking over the survey, the real question the elders were asking was, “What is our congregation passionate about?” Come with me on a journey to discover the answers to these questions and the vision that is emerging as our church family moves forward into ministry in the new year.

Scripture: Matthew 5:8; 5:43-48; 9:35-38; 22:34-40; 25:31-40

“The Pure in Heart are Free to Love” preached by Arlene Salt on December 28th, 2019 at the Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Vernon, Washington