A note from Pastor Travis 6/9/22

Dear FUMC Family and Friends,

Sandra got a new Bible today. In the front of it there are pages to record important family information, such as weddings and names of family members. It reminds me of the large, old family Bible my mother has. Your family may have one too. As a kid, I used to love sitting on our living room floor reading about my family. Reading the names of those who came before me, and seeing my name included on the list, made me feel important. I was part of a family. I may not have ever met my father’s grandfather, “Pappy,” but we were still connected. Both of our names were written on the pages of our family Bible. Though at 10 years old I couldn’t articulate it, knowing something about my family’s history taught me something about who I am. I am not alone in this. Millions of people work hard to trace their heritage. Though our family stories may not always be dramatic, they are our stories, and, even in ways we may not be aware of, they shape us.

As Christians, we have another family tree, that of our forebears in faith. Our spiritual family heritage reaches back 4 thousand years to when God called Abram and Sarai (later renamed Abraham and Sarah) to go forth in faith to where God would lead. Our heritage includes Joshua, Ruth, Esther, David, Mary, Peter, Paul, and Lydia. It includes the saints and the faithful who have passed down our faith through the centuries. This heritage, these people, have shaped our lives in more ways than we can imagine. If we truly want to know who we are, we must read the Bible. It is not enough to look on the front pages of our family Bibles; we must turn the page and read the Bible itself. In the pages of the Bible we discover the stories and faith that make us who we are. Really, it is the stories in the Bible that makes it our “family Bible.” This summer, I invite you to do some genealogical research by reading the Bible. Through it you will discover your true heritage and better understand who you are and whose you are.

                                                                                                            Peace and Grace,

Pastor Travis