April 30th, 2020

Dear Friends of Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church,

Greetings in Christ! 


A singer and songwriter by the name of Gordon Jensen wrote a song some years ago which mentions the fact that you and I as Christians are the only “Jesus” that many people will see. 

No, this does not mean we are Jesus Himself of course. We know He is Jesus all by Himself, yet it should be our goal and desire to be just a bit more like Him every day by sharing what Christ is like. We are to be “lights” in a dark world! 

If there is ever a time for people to see Christ in action through His people, it is today! Take a moment to read this story which illustrates what we are to be in this world when it comes to sharing Christ. 

Pastor Mark Thompson of Faribault, Minnesota, suffered terrible knife wounds from an assailant in his home, in October 1988. One of the many consequences of his difficult recovery was being forced to miss watching his son Chris run in the state cross-country championship meet. Pastor Thompson commissioned his brother Merv to go in his stead. According to the account in the St. Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch, Mark told his brother, “I can't be there to see Chris run. So I want you there at the beginning of the race. Holler a lot. … Then at the end, I want you to really cheer loudly. And I want you to make your voice sound like mine.” 

Merv heeded the advice, and Chris ran a strong race, finishing second. Merv, also a pastor, discerned the theological truth in the story. “what Jesus wants us to do.” he said. “Make your voice sound like mine.” Friends, we are called to live in this world to “make our voice sound like His”! How can we know what His voice is like? Well, I believe one of the greatest ways is to get into the Word of God and see how He ministered to, and blessed people while on this earth. While the religious crowd often shunned Him, we know He took time for those who were hurting, broken and wounded. 

Let's do that! There's an old song that has these words: ”Oh to be His hand extended, reaching out to the oppressed, Let me touch Him, let me touch Jesus, So that others may know and be blessed.” 

I encourage you today to do your best to walk where He would walk. To talk the way He would talk, and to lend your voice to the voiceless! 

Blessings in Christ, 
Deborah Schauer Pastor ​