Over the years, most of us have experienced a change in our sense of home. As a child, it was our house in Lexington, Kentucky, with the "bean tree" in the backyard, where we played with all the kids in the neighborhood. When our family moved to Florida, home became our house in Cocoa Beach, just a short walk to the beach.
As an adult, I have made my home in several different places. Some have been temporary, such as a hotel room when I played in a band, or a parsonage as part of a student pastor appointment that would end at graduation. No matter how long I have been in one location, there are always things that make it feel like home.
We always talk about finding a church home, not simply finding a place to attend church. Most of us are looking for a place where we feel more connected to God and to others. We look for a group where we can bond and build strong relationships with others as we learn and grow in our faith.
The pandemic is still not over. Many have not felt comfortable returning to church yet, but just like we sometimes experience being a long way from our loved ones, this is still our church home and we are connected as a church family.
Our Advent and Christmas sermon series will draw on this imagery of home and help each of us to grow in our love of God and each other.