Shine Like Stars
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
Philippians 2:14-15
Jesus Christ is the light of the world, the light no darkness can overcome. Every day our Lord sends forth His people to serve in their various vocations and to reflect the light of Christ in our dark world. This week, thousands of members of Missouri District congregations and students at Lutheran early childhood, elementary, and high schools are shining the like stars in the sky as they serve their neighbors and reflect Christ’s love. Clad in red t-shirts, they hoist their rakes and wield their paint brushes as they serve others because Christ has served them.
However, the people of God need not wait for once a year to serve in our communities. We shine like stars each and every day as we serve others so that they might see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. The SHINE! servant event is intended to encourage Christ’s Church to live out their callings where the Lord leads and with the gifts He gives.
Our prayer is that those who attend our congregations and schools would be those shining lights throughout the year. We give thanks to God that approximately 11,000 saints across Missouri, and more saints in Nebraska and Northern Illinois districts are shining the light of Christ where they live and serve. We give thanks to God for all of the pastors and principals, teachers and lay leaders who have organized all the groups and provided service and witness to their communities throughout Shine 2024.
Prayer - O Almighty God our heavenly Father, we pray that by Your Holy Spirit, Your people would live unto righteousness in Christ and shine like stars in the heavens forever and ever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan