October 21, 2025

Dear Family of Holy Faith,

 How often I hear the words, “I love you,” as I part from someone I’ve met at the store or somewhere else.  It’s a good thing!  Yet I do have a concern.  Sometimes I feel a little awkward as I hear this and do not even know the person very well.  I’m afraid that our quick use of that important phrase can cheapen its meaning.  Words can be cheap.  What gives them real impact is action.  True love is not simply words.  Not just a passing comment, true love moves to action for the one loved! 

While our earthly love is far from perfect, God loves us and He shows it!  As one pastor wonderfully put it, “God couldn’t stand the thought of heaven without you!”  For that reason He acted!  He sent His Son, Jesus, to bring us back to Him through death and resurrection, so that we will live with Him forever.  What comfort the gift of this truth is as we say “I’ll see you soon” to our dying loved ones, instead of final goodbyes.  What peace we can have struggling with our mortality in this world of sickness and challenge.  We have a God who demonstrates His love for us throughout our lives by guarding our faith, giving us what we need for life, and, at the last, sending His angels to bring us home safely to heaven, to be with Him!

In response to God’s perfect love, with strength from the Holy Spirit, we are able to not only say but live those words, “Lord, I love You.”  He pours blessings into our lives each-and-every day, gifts that become our thank you to Him as we use them to serve Him at our church, Holy Faith.  We bless each other as we work together to share Jesus’ love with our community.  The Apostle John wrote, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17).  Yes, our “I love you’s” are truly sincere because they flow from Christ and take loving action in Him.

That’s why I know you will want to take action and be part of our celebrations this Sunday, October 26th!  It’s not only Reformation Sunday (wear Holy Spirit red) but Consecration Sunday at Holy Faith. We gather to let our praise flow back to God because of His love and blessing in our lives.  Together we express the truth that we love God and each other by attending the two special events of this day: first, the Sunday morning worship service at 10:00 a.m. and, second, the Celebration Luncheon immediately following worship.  Sunday School will take place so bring the kids.  Our Consecration Sunday Speaker will be Pastor Clancy, one of our own whom we dearly love. 

Since we will be serving a luncheon, we need to take reservations for each person who will be present.  If you have not made plans to attend these two events, please do so.  Our goal is to have every member and friend of the church present.  If you did not make a reservation last Sunday, please let us know you will be present for the two events by calling the office (973-697-6060) and letting us know.

Please make whatever sacrifice is necessary in order to be present on Consecration Sunday, October 26th.  May we not only say to our Lord that we love Him but live that love in action as we commit to Him!

I love you in Christ,

Pastor Craig