Down by the Creek – November 2016

From the Pastor’s Desk
ACPC-drwing-HiResDear Friends,

On Monday, October 17th I went to the York County Election office and I voted. I cast my vote for President, Senate, House, Sheriff, County Council, School Board and others. I voted for both Democrats and Republicans. I voted for people I know and respect personally and these friends ran as both Republicans and Democrats. I voted for president based on my convictions as a citizen and a Christian. I cast a vote for my values. Every person I voted for I believe shares the values I seek to uphold as a Christian.

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandments he said there were two: Love God and Love Your Neighbor. As you vote I would encourage you to keep this in mind. Does this candidate show a love for God and a love for other people? Does this candidate seek to build up others so that all are able to live in a fair and free society? Is this candidate willing to make sacrifices so that others can worship freely and prosper?

I shared that I voted for both Democrats and Republicans because I believe that folks can be guided by Jesus’ words and vote for people of different parties. No party has a corner on the religious market. But I do encourage you to be consistent in what you say and do.

My vote for President will be different than almost half of the population. So will yours. I choose to not allow this fact to change the way I perceive people. I work at PATH on Mondays and food is delivered each day by someone who has political stickers on their vehicle which are very different from where I am politically. But we unload food together and work together to deliver this food to Your County residents. I hope that this is a model for all of us to find places of cooperation with one another.

So go vote your conscience. After the election is over, I encourage you to then find ways to work together with all people to love God and love your neighbor.

Peace, Sam


Devotion: Read Ephesians 4:1-6

Pastor Tony Campolo tells the following story:

There was a young woman who came to his church and presented her child for baptism, a child that had been born out of wedlock. In a small rural community, a woman like that can find herself shunned.

The day of the baptism the woman stood alone before the congregation, holding her child in her arms. The pastor hadn’t recognized the awkwardness of the situation. He came to the part in the baptismal service when the questions are asked, “Who stands with this child to assure the commitments and promises herewith made will be carried out? Who will be there for this child in times of need and assure that this child is brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?” It was then that he realized there was no godmother or godfather on hand to answer the question. But with hesitation, as though on cue, the entire congregation stood and with one voice said, “We will!”

  • How do we honor our baptismal vows to one another?
  • Who are the “shunned” in our culture that we are invited to stand with and include as part of God’s family?