OPEN MINDS, OPEN HEARTS, OPEN DOORS

 

“Open hearts, open minds, open doors.  The people of the United Methodist Church.” You may have seen these denominational advertisements on TV.  It’s a bold and powerful statement which ideally applies to every local United Methodist Church and certainly does here at First United Methodist Church of Alpena.  First, our hearts are open.  In a sense we believe that Christ is the compassionate heart of God.  So as followers of Christ our hearts are open, as well.  When others in our church family and beyond the doors of this church suffer, we suffer, too, and attempt to reach out.  Our prayer ministries and mission outreach are focused in this open hearted way on those who are sick, in need or in crisis.  Yet we also rejoice with those who rejoice and celebrate the victories of our congregants.  This is summed up beautifully in the hymn Blest Be the Tie that Binds:  “We share each other’s woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.”

 

Our minds are open, too.  This means, in part, that we take Paul’s advice seriously, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about these things”(Philippians 4:8).  It also means that we are willing to listen to a variety of faith perspectives and to be in dialogue with people of different faiths.  We are all children of God.

 

Finally, our doors are open.  All are welcome here.  We are not concerned with how you are dressed, from what part of the country or world you have come, with what kind of work you do, or with how much money you make.  No matter your denomination, even if you have no faith or have lost your faith, if you come here seeking to “See God more clearly, to love God more dearly, and to follow God more nearly,” as the song from Godspell goes, you are welcome.

 

Blessings,

 

Gene Bacon, Pastor