July 4th, 2025 | Rev. Dr. Mark Charles

Dear Grace-filled family,

Happy Fourth of July!

As we celebrate this Independence Day, I find myself reflecting, as an immigrant who moved here in 2013, on the immense freedoms and privileges we often take for granted in this nation. It's a day for parades, picnics, and fireworks, but it's also a powerful reminder of the ideals upon which this country was founded.

My mind turns to the words of Emma Lazarus's poem, "The New Colossus," which is, of course, etched at the base of the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

This iconic vision of welcome and hospitality, enshrined on one of America's most enduring symbols, resonates deeply with the heart of our Christian faith. Jesus himself calls us to a radical welcome, to see Christ in the face of the stranger, the hungry, the naked, and the imprisoned. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus speaks plainly about what it means to truly serve Him: "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

As followers of Christ, this a core tenet of our discipleship - it's the fruit we are called to bear in our lives as individuals and in our life together. It calls us to extend compassion, hospitality, and service to all, especially those most in need, both in our immediate community and beyond. Let's continue to live out this calling, serving with open hearts and hands, reflecting God's love to a world that desperately needs it.

See you Sunday!

Blessings,

Pastor Charlie