New Page 1

22860000 22860000 (`@````````` 266 263 5 110185200 110185200

281 7772400 10058400 259 261 257 276 262 279 1 0`````````````````````` 5 1 0 285 282 1 False 0 0 0 0 -1 304800 243 True 128 77 255 3175 3175 70 True True True True True 278 134217728 1 1 -9999996.000000 -9999996.000000 8 Empty 16711680 52479 26367 13421772 16737792 13382502 16777215 Bluebird 22860000 22860000 (`@````````` 266 263 5 110185200 110185200

Hey Gang,

I just got done early voting! Whew, now I don�t have to wait in those long lines. Of course, when you read this, the whole process will already be over, and we will know who the next President will be. But for now, with a week still left, all I can do is sit back and pray for the nation as we all participate in one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans�the right to vote. The right to choose. The right to participate in shaping our country�s future. I think we take that freedom for granted sometimes.

One thing for sure, I am looking forward to getting rid of all the negative ads that seem to always come with politics these days. It will be nice to move beyond November 4th, and start setting our eyes towards making our country and her people stronger than ever. Yes, there may be differences of opinions in how to do that. But one thing we hold in common is a deep love for our way of life.

Of course, you and I hold a dual citizenship. We may be citizens of this country, but more importantly, through our baptism, we are citizens of God�s kingdom. Participating in the right to vote this week has made me ponder what it means to be an American AND a Christian. It has caused me to ask when do those two citizenships clash and when do they support each other? And at the end of the day, where is my allegiance?

Perhaps part of what we do in church is to exercise those tough questions. To help each other figure out what it means to live out our faith in Christ in a culture that may not always understand what that means. There are scarier places to be Christian in this world, and I am grateful to live where I do. But I am also grateful to be a part of God�s kingdom. As Paul reminds us, we are ambassadors of that kingdom. We live here, but ultimately, this is not our home.

I pray for our country today. For her future. And I thank God for the Church that helps shape it.

See you Sunday,