So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22
This past month we have welcomed three new students into our school and nine new people to our church. Praise the Lord! This bible verse always comes to mind when I think about welcoming new families into our church and school. I’m not sure all of the families whom we welcome always understand what they are being welcomed into when they first “sign up”. Our church and school family is not perfect. No family ever is in a fallen world. We are all sinners here in need of a Savior. Some of us entered into the Atonement family because we were looking for a school for our kids. Some of us were looking for a church to attend. No matter how we came to be a part of this family, we are here because the Holy Spirit drew us into this place. Consider the verse above. By His grace, we are no longer strangers and aliens. We are now members of the household of God. With Christ Jesus being our cornerstone, we are being built up together to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. What an amazing thing! It is so easy in this life to go on living day by day and not even pause to consider how the Lord is working in our life. Atonement Families pay attention! The Lord is building us up TOGETHER to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful to be here and to be a part of the work of the Lord in the Atonement household and I want to say welcome to the family to all of our newest members!