By Jenifer Eriksen Morales, Pastor of Mission and Formation
When the disciple Andrew, and a friend asked Jesus, “Where are you staying?” Jesus answered, “Come and see.” Likewise, when asked about Souderton Mennonite Church, we answer, come and see who we are so we can show you why we exist… “To strengthen meaningful connections with Christ, Church and Community.”
This recently-adopted vision (SMC/CCC for short) shapes our efforts to move beyond our traditional Mennonite roots to embrace a calling to impact our community in tangible ways. Come and see the many ways the community at SMC loves Jesus and cares for each other.
Come as you are to receive a warm welcome into our blended worship service. Intergenerational worship teams bring music of many genres from a-capella hymns to upbeat praise music that connect hearts to Jesus, and our pastors seek to bring Scripture to life with engaging, relevant messages. Our active prayer team is ready to pray with you after the service.
The learning and care continue during Sunday school hour in classes for all ages. Children enjoy a vibrant setting where they sing, laugh, learn, play, create, and sometimes dance with dedicated leaders. Jr. and Sr. High youth meet on Sunday mornings, but their activities continue all week as they study, pray, play games, do sports, form bands and volunteer together and with energetic leaders. Attend one of our adult Sunday school classes with members ranging in age from post high to senior citizens.
During the week, our building comes to life daily with congregational and community activity; 43 distinct activities were held here one recent week! Keystone Opportunity Center, the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and Bridge of Hope Buxmont are the three main groups using our facilities, but we also provide space for other life-giving such as Grief Share, Divorce Care and N.A., educational groups and social activities.
Our Wednesday evening Community Meals are followed by kids’ club and youth group, as well as Bible studies, choir practice, support groups, or simply more fellowship time.
If you enjoy food, fellowship, and faith (who doesn’t?) you might try our growing home-based Table Churches. Get to know a smaller group of individuals in a casual setting as you seek to go deeper in your spiritual walk. Other small groups meet in restaurants and homes and care facilities for Bible study, prayer and care.
Come and join us in mission and ministry. Get to know the missionaries we sponsor and the work God is doing where they are. Be a part of a short-term mission team or pick up a hammer and join our Helping Hands Ministry team repairing homes locally for those who are not able to do the repairs themselves. Come be a part of our community outreach events such as the Concert Series, annual Easter Celebration, Vacation Bible School, and summer dance and drama camps for children. In June, come worship with us and others at the interdenominational Sunday Service in the Souderton Park. You may want to check out our Vocation As Mission (VAM) summer internship program where young adults connect, work and learn together.
We ask you to pray for the Spirit’s leading as we grow deeper in relationship with Christ, Church and Community. We pray for the ability to be truly present with Christ, each other, and those around us as we work to build God’s kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven. But most of all, we ask you to pray with us that God’s spirit will shine through us and people will come and see and know Jesus.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.