Gospel Illustration by Jocelyn O’Leary

Friends, This Sunday, we come to one of the Gospel’s most uncomfortable and surprising stories. In Matthew 15, a Cannanite woman seems to challenge Jesus’ assumptions about who belongs within the circle of God’s grace. At first Jesus seems to refuse her, but she persists until she is included. However we interpret the encounter, one thing is clear: the circle gets bigger.

Her story invites us to ask not only, Who are we? but also Who are we becoming? What might God be teaching us through voices and perspectives different from ours? And where is the Spirit inviting us to widen the table and make more room?

After a shorter worship service, we’ll carry those questions into our Community Conversation about our Mission and Vision as we prepare to merge our two congregations. We’ll share the latest drafts, listen to one another, and continue discerning together who God is calling us to be in this next chapter.

I’m grateful for the thoughtfulness, prayer, and work so many of you have already brought to this process. I’m excited about where we’re headed, and I hope you’ll join us! The Canaanite woman’s voice helped make the table wider. Your voice can help us do the same. I hope you’ll join us after worship as we listen to one another and discern together who God is calling us to become.

Alongside you,

Pastor Paul Ortiz