Faith@First - November 8, 2024
Dear Noblesville First Family,
This past September, we dedicated ourselves to understanding what it truly means to be a congregation that welcomes all—no exceptions. By the end, some of us may have been tired of hearing it! But in times like these, I am reminded how deeply important it is that we keep saying it, keep believing it, and keep living it.
In the wake of this election, our differences can feel more evident than ever. Some of us voted for one party, some for another, and some chose not to vote at all. For some, there is joy and hope; for others, disappointment and loss. These feelings are diverse and complex—but here’s the good news: God can hold it all. God holds us all, just as we are, with no exceptions. God can take in our grief, our gratitude, our joy, and our pain, our differing perspectives, and our shared hopes.
Being part of a congregation means rising to the challenge of unity in a world that so often seeks to divide. We are called to follow Jesus’ example, to reach across differences, and to create a space where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and seen.
This Sunday, we’ll come together to worship. We’ll pray, we’ll reflect, and we’ll sing, united by a faith that invites us to love others unconditionally. A faith that leads us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. A faith that calls us to embrace one another with the love of Jesus.
So, bring your grief, bring your gratitude, bring all that you carry—and know that you are held by a God who embraces it all, who embraces us all, without exception.
