So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, is growing into a holy sanctuary in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19–22, LSB
As we enter into July, we are reminded of what unites us as citizens of the United States. Beyond baseball and apple pie, we have a common history based on the freedom of people's desire to stand against tyranny. As followers of Christ, we have a similar unity centered on the freedom we have received through our Lord’s sacrifice for us on the cross. The power of our faith is meant to be our guiding principle. We are no longer “strangers” or “sojourners,” but are brothers and sisters in Christ, and together in faith, we stand. The salvific promise that Christ has given stands fast ever before us, but also in the here and now. In this season, we can share our lives and, in so doing, we may share our faith. We must not be offensive, nor must we be confrontational, but we simply live out our faith. Our witness is in our lives in the words we use and how we treat others.
July is a busy time for us with our involvement with the annual 4th of July parade, VBS, and our Church Picnic. During all of these events, we are witnessing our place in the community and the service that we offer! We are a light to many as we share with our neighbors the faithful witness that we seek to be and invite them to participate with us. We are together with each of them in this time standing in unison with them in our celebrations. Let us think of how we can invite more to know the love of our Lord and be open to sharing the faith we hold and our journey of becoming the new creation our Lord desires for us to be. Enjoy and celebrate summer!