We are going to start blogging to give you insights into the life of our church and the community we serve. Check back here for our first story soon! — COTR Team
All of these connections and more take place on site at COTR each week. This means each week people find healing, freedom, hope, and help. And each week I get to witness the work of the one who said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18-19)
One of my favorite memories of Tammie was when the church was using mandated medical masks as a COVID-19 precaution, and when I showed up to the church with a box of masks Tammie informed me that she would personally sit by the door to hand everyone a mask.
Angela* approached me during the worship service on Sunday morning. We had been taking steps that previous week to make her plan a reality. When I saw her walking towards me, I knew what she was going to ask. “Were you able to get me a bus pass?” “Yes,” I said. “The bus leaves this afternoon. You’re going home”, I told her. Tears welled up her eyes and she gave me a big hug as she said, “I’m going home!”
Joseph could have experienced his suffering as distance from God, but Joesph’s struggle and pain seem to make God’s presence in his life much more clear. Why would that be?
To “Reconcile” is to make-right, and “Reconciler” is a name for Jesus, who makes people right with each other and with God. So when we call ourselves “Church of the Reconciler,” we’re not saying that we are so good at reconciling, but that we are following Jesus, the Reconciler of all people and situations.
