FindingJesus - St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Do you ever wonder who Jesus was? What was he like as a person, a teacher, a friend?

Do you ever wonder who Jesus is? Who is this One who is our Lord and Savior?

Whether you are a life-long Christian or just curious, it is good to ask these questions, because the only way to find Jesus is to look for him.

So, where do you start? There's just one answer to that -- with the Bible, with the recorded words of Jesus himself, with the history of his life, death, and resurrection, and with what the people who knew him best said about him.

You can spend the rest of your life reading what people have said about the Bible -- some of it will be helpful, some of it confusing, some of it just plain wrong, but nothing is better than reading it for yourself. Find a good, modern translation that you can understand. (We use the New Revised Standard Version at St. Paul's.) Start with one of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Then just keep on -- it's interesting reading.

What then? Still looking? Still have questions? Then try coming to church.

We would love to have you come to St. Paul's for worship or to participate in a study group. Questions are welcomed here.

If we aren't convenient, then ask someone you know what their church is like, maybe it will be the place for you. Or, be very brave and just try one out. Most churches want visitors and will make you feel at home. If the first one doesn't seem right, then try another church. God really does have the right home for you.

Some people think that they can know Jesus and follow him without going to church. Maybe they can, but most people at St. Paul's find that is a lot easier to do it with the help of other people. By deciding to go to church once or twice a week, people know that they will be reminded on a regular basis of who Jesus is and why they follow him. It helps to have time for God "built into" the weekly schedule so that it doesn't get squeezed out by other demands.

You don't have to already "be a believer" to come to church. If you want to come to find out what being a Christian is all about, then God welcomes you and we will too. Participate as you feel comfortable.

If your reading and study and prayer make "a believer" of you, then you'll want to be baptized (or renew your baptismal vows) and become a full member of the local church community. As a baptized Christian you can take part in what Episcopalians call "the Holy Eucharist" (or communion), the mysterious way that Christ chooses to come to us in bread and wine.

The Holy Eucharist is the focal point for worship in the Episcopal church because we believe that it is the special way given to us by Jesus for us to remember Him and be one with Him. When we go to the front of the church to take the bread and wine we are like lost children calling out for a parent to find us. When we eat the bread and drink the wine, Jesus meets us there and brings us home.

Over time you'll realize that the more often you meet Jesus in your reading of the Bible and the more often you meet him in the sharing of bread and wine, the more often you will find him other places as well.

Try to find some time everyday just to tell God what is going on in your life. Of course, it won't come as a surprise to Him, but it will make you feel better. Ask for His advice, His strengthening, His blessing. Say you're sorry for messing things up. Just sit quietly with Him like you would an old friend and that presence will start to stay with you more and more throughout the day.

You'll also find Jesus in more places than you ever thought possible -- in the flash of a bluebird's wings, the old man's limp, the annoying customer, the dead child on the evening news.

Be careful when you set out to look for Jesus, because He will find you. Your life will never be the same.