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Many years ago, when a famine was bringing misery in Russia, the writer Leo Tolstoy passed by a bridge in Moscow where many beggars gathered. They were on the verge of starvation and were asking for alms. Seeing a beggar, Tolstoy searched in his pocket for a coin, but discovered that he had nothing with him, not even a copper coin. Embarrassed, Tolstoy took the beggar's hands in his own and said, I am sorry, brother. Don't be angry with me. I have nothing with me today. The thin face of the beggar became illuminated, and he said in reply, “But you called me brother - that was a great gift, sir.” **

Friends and Family of Lakeway United Methodist Church-Pottsboro, grace and God’s peace to you and yours. Amen.

I am blessed that I was part of large family: two parents, six children, four boys, two girls. Only us guys are surviving. My father was a twin at birth, orphaned shortly thereafter. Mom, on the other hand, was the baby of the first set of children. Then her mom died after childbirth. Grandpa Berlanga remarried, and fathered seven more children. Needless-to-say, you could throw a stick anywhere and hit a cousin.

Growing up, our church was small, Spanish language Presbyterian, then United Methodist Church. What I remember fondly is that we called each other “Hermano.” (Brother) Likewise, “Hermana.” (Sister)

Today, this is still the culture of the church. Language is important in how we welcome whomever walks through our church doors. The church building had been made ready for Sunday guests.

What captured my attention about the story was the setting-Russia, famine, hard times with great hunger, foot traffic on a bridge, and the desire to help someone, if with only a penny by today’s standards. Tolstoy asked for forgiveness when he realize his pockets were empty. Yet, the response from the unnamed beggar was priceless. For him, being called “Brother” elicited emotions, memories and joy of something maybe lost-gone: family. Maybe, just maybe, he had brothers?

For a few churches, I have tried to get the church to adopt a tagline that goes like this: “Where friends become family.” Not everyone has family. We have some who are orphans, adults mine-you. That is why I believe that the church is so important in every area of life. Family. Familia. There is a place for everyone, in the house of God.

Blessings from Pottsboro, Pastor Frank (alegria@lakewayumc.org)

**Ronald E. Vallet, Stepping Stones of the Steward (Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1989), 129.