WORD – FEBRUARY 2026
From the Pastor’s Desk — February 2026
Beloved friends in Christ,
As we step into February—a month often associated with love—it feels especially important to reflect on what Christian love looks like in a world that is hurting. Our nation continues to reel from the recent shootings in Minneapolis. Families are grieving. Communities are shaken. And many of our immigrant neighbors—already vulnerable—are feeling even more exposed and uncertain.
Moments like these tests the soul of a nation, but they also test the soul of the church. How will we respond? What voice will we listen to? What lens will we use to understand what is happening around us?
The Voices We Allow to Shape Us
We live in a time when news outlets, social media platforms, and online personalities compete for our attention. Their goal is not always truth. Often, it is outrage, fear, or clicks. In the aftermath of tragedy, misinformation spreads quickly. Conspiracy theories take root. People begin to see enemies where there are none, and suspicion replaces compassion.
As followers of Jesus, we must be vigilant about the voices we allow to shape our hearts. Scripture warns us that not every spirit is trustworthy, and not every message is aligned with the way of Christ. When we let fear-driven narratives guide us, we risk losing sight of the gospel’s call to love, mercy, and justice.
Our task is not to interpret the world through the lens of cable news or social media feeds, but through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
What Scripture Calls Us To
The Bible speaks clearly about how God’s people are to treat those who live among us, especially the foreigner, the outsider, and the vulnerable. In Leviticus 19:33–34, God commands that the foreigner “be treated as your native-born” and loved as ourselves. Deuteronomy 10:18–19 reminds us that God “loves the foreigner residing among you,” and calls us to do the same. Jesus deepens this teaching in Matthew 25:35, saying, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
These passages are not suggestions. They are the shape of Christian discipleship.
A Story of Neighbor-Love
A few years ago, a small-town church—much like ours—learned that a newly arrived immigrant family had lost everything in a house fire. They spoke little English and had no extended family nearby. The congregation didn’t know them personally, but they knew enough: here were neighbors in need.
Within hours, people showed up with blankets, clothing, meals, and gift cards. One member offered temporary housing. Another helped navigate paperwork. A retired teacher volunteered to tutor the children. No one asked whether the family “belonged” or whether helping them would be convenient. They simply acted out of love.
Months later, the father stood before the congregation and said, “We came to this country hoping to find safety. We found something even better—people who treated us like family.”
This is what it means to love our neighbor. Not in theory, but in practice. Not only when it is easy, but especially when it is costly.
Our Call in This Moment
In the wake of the violence in Minneapolis, many of our immigrant brothers and sisters are living with renewed fear. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a counter-testimony to that fear. We are called to be people of refuge, compassion, and courageous love.
And we are called to guard our hearts against the noise of the world—against narratives that divide, distort, or dehumanize. When we let Christ shape our vision, we see people not as threats, but as neighbors. Not as strangers, but as children of God.
A Prayer for Peace
God of mercy and justice,
Hold close all who grieve in Minneapolis and across our nation.
Protect those who feel vulnerable or unseen.
Quiet the voices of fear and falsehood,
and tune our hearts to your truth.
Make us instruments of your peace,
that our lives may reflect the love you have shown to us.
Amen.
A Call to Action
This month, I invite each of us to take one concrete step toward loving our neighbors—especially those who may be immigrants, refugees, or newcomers in our community.
And I invite us to take one big step away from the noise: limit the voices that stir fear, resist the pull of conspiracy theories, and choose instead the steady, compassionate way of Christ.
May we be a church where strangers become neighbors, and neighbors become family.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Toby
January 2026
From the Pastor’s Desk: A New Year, A New Opportunity in Christ
Dear Church Family,
As we step into 2026, we are reminded that every new year is a fresh gift from God—a chance to grow deeper in His grace and experience His fullness in our lives. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV):
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
This year, I invite you to join me in exploring four areas of life where we can make changes that open the door to God’s blessing:
- Better Priorities
Life is full of demands, but Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” When God is first, everything else falls into its proper place. Let’s commit to prioritizing prayer, worship, and time in His Word above all else.
- Better Relationships
Healthy relationships reflect God’s love. Forgiveness, kindness, and encouragement should mark our interactions. Ask yourself: Who needs grace from me today? Let’s build bridges, not walls, and strengthen the bonds within our families and church community.
- Better Choices
Every decision shapes our spiritual journey. Whether it’s how we spend our time, handle our finances, or respond to challenges, let’s choose what honors God. Remember, small daily choices lead to big spiritual victories.
- Better Christian Witness
Our world needs hope, and we carry the greatest message of all—Jesus Christ. Let’s live in such a way that others see His light in us. Share your faith through words and actions, and let your life be a testimony of God’s goodness.
A Prayer for the New Year
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of a new year. Help us to set better priorities, nurture better relationships, make better choices, and be better witnesses for Christ. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may walk in Your fullness and blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As we journey through 2026, let’s press forward together, trusting that God has great things in store for His people.
In Christ’s love, Pastor Toby
Pastor Toby
- 219-850-3768 (cell)
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Westville IN United Methodist Church 
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