The Service of the Word and Sacrament - First Community Church

Youth ChoirsSchedulePage 8ChristianMeditationPage 3firstnews Sunday614 488.0681 FCchurch.com January 6, 2013A Charlie Brown Epiphany–– The Reverend Ms. Deborah C. Lindsay, Minister of Spiritual CareI’ve always said there is some good theologyin the Peanuts comic strip and on ChristmasDay, The Columbus Dispatch ran one of myall-time favorites. The conversation betweenLucy and Charlie Brown goes like this:Lucy: Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown, ‘tisthe season of peace on earth and good willtoward all people. Therefore, I suggest weforget our differences and love one another.Charlie Brown: That’s wonderful,Lucy. But tell me, do we have to love eachother only at this season of the year? Whycan’t we love each other all year long?Lucy: What are you some kind of fanatic?Peanuts © 2013, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.It is true; during the Christmas season we talk about peace and the joy of the Christlight coming into the world. Then, no sooner than the tree is down and the cookiesare eaten, we’re back to our routine and our routine way of thinking and being.Perhaps this year it will be different. You may not realize it, but you have Muslimneighbors who pray to the same God, long for peace and want the same things outof life that you do.The subject of my Doctor of Ministry research is bridge-building between Christiansand Muslims. Today’s sermon is part of the project. On January 27, we will host asession called Islam 101, an introduction to the Islamic faith led by a woman fromthe Noor Islamic Center in Hilliard. Later in the spring, there will be an opportunity tomeet people from the Noor community and get to know them better.I hope you will join us in the way of Charlie Brown and love each other all year long.SURVEYPlease help today by completing the questionnaire on Page 4and leaving it at the door after worship. You can also answer thequestions with your smartphone by using the QR code.