The Season Full of Reasons to Care

Whenever crowds came to Him, He had compassion for them because they were so deeply distraught, malaised, and heart-broken. They seemed to Him like lost sheep without a shepherd. Jesus understood what an awesome task was before Him, so He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His harvest field.”

Matthew 9:36-38 Voice

Jesus’s compassion helped him notice the challenges and pain in people’s lives, and he saw these difficulties as opportunities to care. He also led his disciples to be compassionate, urging them to pray for a world where more people take the time to care for others’ needs.

This holiday season, it is good to remember that this time of year provides more opportunities not only to have fun and make memories, but also to care for others. The holiday season can bring up feelings of loneliness, stress, sadness, and anxiety for many people, which is why it gives us opportunities to shine a bright light in our world by serving and loving our friends and families. I am grateful for the culture of our church that makes taking care of the community a priority and focus.

Serving our friends and neighbors with a spooktacular Halloweekend

We launched into the holiday season with an action-packed Halloween weekend full of opportunities for fun and friendship. We hosted six Halloween parties between Friday and Saturday so that middle schoolers, teenagers, and college students all over the Bay Area could enjoy a fun, inclusive, and safe holiday.

Then we had a blast at Trunk or Treat events at each of our Sunday services. We love providing a bright, happy memory for the families in our neighborhoods to enjoy this time of year, and many of our Trunk or Treat guests expressed how grateful they were. Neighbors at Common Ground have begun to come year after year, and we are so glad to create a warm, positive experience that these families can always look forward to.

Serving the next generation through our Y-Moms Fellowship

But we were very gentle with you. We were like a mother caring for her little children.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 ERV

When the Apostle Paul wanted to help his readers understand the way he cared for them, he used a mother’s care for her children as his prime example.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

2 Timothy 1:5 NIV

A mother’s care in the lives of her children has a profound impact. In the words of historical activist Sara Josepha Hale, “There is no influence so powerful as that of the mother.” This is why we are excited about our Y-moms Fellowship this Sunday called “Passing on the Faith to the Next Generation.”

Moms will have an opportunity to get faith as they hear a lesson geared toward parenting middle schoolers, teenagers, and college students. There will also be opportunities for encouraging fellowship with other moms who are going through similar experiences with parenting their kids.

The event will be this Sunday starting at 4pm at the Common Ground Building in Sunnyvale.

Until next time!