07/04/2026
Pastor Matt here. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this weekend, it’s important that we think about what kind of nation we are becoming. This week at La Feria First we are going to be exploring the example of one of our greatest countrymen, Mr. Fred Rogers. Personally, I wish our nation was a little more like Mr. Rogers’ (or Daniel Tiger’s) neighborhood.
Let me share something I’ve been thinking about—and trying to practice—lately.
Whenever I find myself interacting with another person, I’m trying to remember to pause for just a moment and wonder:
How can I love this person in a way that leaves them more free?
More free to be themselves.
More free to hope.
More free to heal.
More free to laugh.
More free to become the person God is calling them to be.
We don’t always have the power to solve someone’s problems. And even when we can help, the effects of pain or hardship don’t simply disappear. We may not always know the right words—or have any words at all. But we always have the opportunity to offer compassion, to be present with people in their experience, to help carry the load, and to leave them a little lighter than we found them.
I think it’s a question worth carrying around. Maybe it will be for you, too.
Join us Sunday as we celebrate Holy Communion and remember the legacy of Mr. Rogers. We hope you’ll bring a dish to share and stick around after worship for a potluck lunch and a screening of “It’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”