Buzz Gilmore (left) and Pastor Roger Blesi (right) present a $2,513 check to Dean Kile, Grant County Food Bank president, Dec. 22. The money was raised from Redeemer Lutheran Church's "Feed My Sheep" fund-raiser. Donations from local businesses and community members were matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans "Care in Communities" program at 50 cents for each dollar raised.

I want to make it known my deep appreciation for all those who recently donated to the Feed My Sheep program to help support the food bank in Grant County. It is a great thing when our community pulls together to support those who are struggling financially and need a boost to get through tough times.   

How beautiful it is to see how well we can love and support one another!  Having what we need is an important thing. We may not always get what we want, but God is faithful to help us in our real needs. Apart from having enough to eat, it is imperative that we feed ourselves spiritually too.  

Have you ever gone without someone to talk to? Loneliness is a difficult thing to endure, unless a person prefers being alone. But most people long for companionship and friends. Without friends, we often feel empty inside.  

That is something that the fellowship of church brings. When we attend church, our lives get full. Gods word is preached and taught, friendship is gained by those who worship and learn together, and support is found through lifes troubles and struggles. I could not imagine being without that kind of support. 

God made it clear though His word in Hebrews that we should continue to meet together Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) 

No one can make it in this world alone.  Having the companionship that church offers helps us to be together through all our struggles. Some people leave church in the midst of trouble. Something goes wrong in their lives. A loved one dies, there is financial hardship; sometimes it is caused by making mistakes in ones life and being too embarrassed to come to terms with what was done.  

I know that many in this community have this type of struggle.  Are you one of them?  Perhaps it is time to make a change to include church attendance again. 

There is no way to hide our troubles from God.  He knows and he sees everything we do and think.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  If we are honest, we have to admit that we need him, we need the word preached in our lives, we need fellowship of likened believers, and we need support to make it through our daily struggles. 

Jesus suffered and died for everything you have done wrong.  He rejects no one who comes to him.  It is like the prodigal son the son who asks for his inheritance before his dad is even dead and goes and squanders it on luxurious living. Once he hits bottom, he returns to his father, wanting to be his servant. 

What happens? Father is so overjoyed at his return that he dresses him in fine clothes, puts his best ring on him, and kills the fattened calf and celebrates his return. That is the kind of love the Father in heaven has for all who have found themselves away from church. His will is to welcome them back with open arms.  God wants to welcome you too!   Even if you have no excuse for not attending, God will still welcome you and you will be blessed because we are always blessed when we are filled by the Lord.  May God lead you back into the fold of His church and bless you.

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Roger Blesi is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in John Day.