This Is Us!

This Is Us!
We are going to create a photo wall of pictures of the people of our church, and at the top of the photo collage will be this phrase: This Is Us. Already, it’s fun to walk the hallways at church and look at all the pictures. Every photo is a snapshot of time—capturing the place, the people, the outfits, and the décor.
Usually, there needs to be a reason for a photo to be taken. There is a whole collage documenting the church building process. Christmas Eve, Easter, and wedding ceremonies also merit a photo. But how many photos were taken of Sunday worship in mid-October? Or at any ordinary weekly coffee hour? If aliens came and looked at our current photos, they might conclude that every day is a huge celebration—but most days go by rather normally: mundane, routine, and undocumented as a result. Let’s change that with our own Summer 2025 This Is Us photo collage in the Fellowship Hall.
This Is Us.
We are the people gathered this summer who show up, sing, pray, listen, and pass the peace. We are the coffee drinkers and coffee makers. We are the ushers handing out the programs, and we are being greeted and receiving the programs. Each of us plays a part in creating the whole—simply by our presence helping to fill the room, by our voices adding volume, by our smiles creating a welcome, or by our silent aspirations to be God’s expression of heaven on earth. And when you are not here, we miss you. We are the church. Without us, Rhinelander United Church of Christ does not exist.
As we hang photos up this summer, we are aware of all the people who are not with us—both past and future. We hold in memory spouses, parents, and friends who have gone ahead to be in God’s house, and friends who have moved away from Rhinelander. And we also hold in anticipation those who will join us in the years ahead. After so many years at church, Norma Christianson is not in the photos this summer, but my family and I are in the photos for the first time. And next summer, new faces we don’t yet know will have joined us. This is Us. This year. Right now.
A few weeks ago, we read Paul’s encouragement not to grow weary in doing good. In Galatians 6:10 we read, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Especially do good among us. We start our week each Sunday together. We hope to encounter God, receive grace, give our praise, and then be sent out into the week ahead. We send each other out with encouragement, support, and hope for the good work God has prepared in advance for us this week.
May the Lord bless us and keep us,
May the Lord make His face shine upon us and give us peace
as we live together—This Is Us.
Thanks be to God! Tim & Susie Grade, your new co-pastors