I often hear the phrase, "That's just the church being the church." In some settings that could have a negative meaning, but when I hear these words at Highland Hills, I know that it means that we are a people who gather around each other in times of need, we are like a family who lifts each other up and prays for each other, and we are a community that responds with "Sure!" when an extra set of hands are needed. I saw this beautiful concept in action last week when we held a funeral in our chapel for the husband of our longtime custodian, Brenda.
Now this was not an ordinary week for our church staff. Our wonderful pastors, Caitlin and Ethan, were out of town and Charlie, our very efficient, take-care-of-everything maintenance supervisor, was also out of town. But funerals happen when funerals happen, and the church continues to be the church even when half of the staff is out of town.
Those of us left behind rallied around Brenda to provide the support that she needed as she planned the funeral of her beloved Ambrose. Lakecia took on extra hours so that Brenda could grieve with her family, Cameron printed a lovely funeral program, many church members attended the funeral, and our Bereavement Committee, led by Anne Heath, stepped in to prepare a wonderful home cooked post-funeral meal for Brenda's family. That's just the church being the church.
A church becomes a true church when the people who worship together also stand side-by-side serving macaroni and cheese at Family Night Suppers, pray at the bedside of members before surgery, and wield rakes and clippers to spruce up the grounds on a cool fall morning. We are called to imitate Christ and walk in love. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, "Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us..."
When you step up to help our church and community, you are walking in love. When you say, "Yes, I can do that" even when it's not convenient for you, you are walking in love. When you put the needs of others first, you are walking in love.
This past week when our staff was shorthanded, our members stepped up in the way that they always do to "just be the church." I am grateful that Highland Hills is a church filled with people who imitate Christ, walk in God's love, and know how to be the church for others.