If you have been able to worship in person the last few weeks, you may remember me mentioning in the announcements that our Board of Elders is beginning a new initiative asking for volunteers to serve as greeters before each worship service. This involves sitting at the welcome table, thanking people for coming to worship, encouraging them to fill out a yellow communication card, and take a printed order of service if needed. If a person is visiting for the first time, thank them, and answer questions they may have as far as where things are, and offer them a copy of the weekly Call to Worship. We envision not only individuals serving in this role, but couples and families as well. It’s a great way to be a positive influence.

In this weekend’s Gospel reading, we’ll hear Jesus tell His disciples that they are salt and light. As salt, Jesus’ followers put His teaching into practice by being a positive influence and doing what they can to help bad things from spreading as we seek to love our neighbors as ourselves. As light, Jesus’ followers reflect Him and, in a world darkened by sin, show through our words and actions that there is a positive path to follow that is not the road of self-centeredness, but true love that works for the common good, just as humans were created to be.

Our nation has not been perfect at following the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people. The acceptance of slavery for so many decades, and, even after the Civil War, the enactment of racist laws and policies, the systematic removal of native tribes, the encampment of Asian Americans during World War II, and other events including the recent misuse of police force in Memphis come to mind. But the fact is, there have always been those who spoke out against what was wrong and worked for what was right, almost always motivated by their Christian beliefs.

So where in your circle of influence do you see the need for there to be a good influx of our Lord’s salt and light? Pray that the Holy Spirit would work in you a motivation of true love not only to listen to Jesus’ Words, but in thankfulness for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life He won for you through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, empower you to boldly reflect Jesus, showing that there is a different way – following the Way, the Truth, and the Life.