Dear Members and Friends of Evangelical United Church of Christ, 

Are you afraid of change, or do you look for it? Sometimes, we can be so set in our ways that we miss seeing how things could be enhanced by implementing a new idea. 

During Jesus’ time, even then, people longed for change. For years, they had been living under Ro-man rule. The desire to be free from this tyranny ran strong. They were living under spiritual lead-ers that either compromised their heritage to get along with Rome or under spiritual leaders that were so strict that the enjoyment of life was taken away. It was all so oppressive. 

But Jesus came to offer something better. 

When Jesus came on the scene, he offered a fresh perspective by saying, “Things can be different. Something good is here, something better, something available…now.” And in offering this optimistic view, Jesus cast a vision of a better Kingdom, now and in the future. 

Jesus spoke a message of repentance. Repentance means that we have a necessary change of heart. Our views change. Our values and goals change. To repent means that we turn away from sin and turn to God. But as with anything, to wrestle something out of its accustomed course is often a pain-ful process. 

Jesus’ message was also about hope. There is hope in God’s Kingdom. It is a Kingdom where the poor matter to God as much as the rich, where those who mourn will be comforted, where the meek win, where those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled, where mercy is the order of the day, where the pure in heart will see God, where peacemakers are the heroes. 

Jesus gave a vision for something different than what they were living. He offered change and the revolution began. Those listeners became followers. What about us? What are the small ways in which we can change to enhance our walk with Christ? 

EvUCC has been serving in Highland, IL since 1840. There have been many changes along the way, but one thing has remained the same – our reliance on Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of our minis-try. If we continue to build our mission and outreach around Him, we will continue to be a beacon of hope for generations to come. 

With the greatest of hope! 

Blessings, 

Pastor Bill