Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Pittsburgh, PA
Permit No. 2512
Making Life Better.
Ingomar United Methodist Church
1501 W. Ingomar Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-1644
Clever Phrase;
What’s it mean?
If you’ve been attending church lately, you have heard me
say repeatedly, “Believing that life is better when Jesus is
at the center, we (Ingomar Church) exist to lead people
into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.”
If you look at the back of the bulletin, the “Spirit,” or
any other publication from our church, somewhere it
says “Ingomar Church: Making Life Better.” That is an
abbreviated way to state what’s mentioned above.
Some of you might be saying, “That’s great, but what
does it mean?”
First let me say what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that
we think we are better than any other church in the world.
Nor does it mean that we are the only church that “makes
life better.” I believe all churches should see that as part of
their mission.
It does not mean we, ourselves make life better for others
because of what we do on our own without any help
from the Holy Spirit. Rather, we strive to be instruments in
the hands of God … vessels through whom God’s Spirit
may work.
Now what does it mean? It means that if you are a
follower of Jesus Christ … if you know that Jesus died
for you … if you believe Jesus to be your Savior, then
your life after you met Jesus is better than it was before
you met Jesus.
Just exactly how is it better? If Jesus is in your life, then
you know that God loves you. The story of the lost
sheep (Luke 15) tells of a shepherd leaving his 99 sheep
in the fold to search for one lost lamb. When he finally
finds it he calls to his friends and says “Rejoice with me
for I have found my lost sheep!” Jesus says God rejoices
when one person who is distant from him turns to him.
In fact, Jesus says “there is rejoicing in heaven!” That’s
how much God loves us.
To be aware of God’s love … to be in relationship
with God leads us on a path where we learn more
about God’s love for us and God’s desire to provide
forgiveness for our sins. Placing God at the center of our
lives enables us to discover that God is always with us
Letter from the Pastor
(continued on page 11)