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Jesus once told a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep. Ninety-nine were safely together but one was missing.  Interestingly, the shepherd didn't say, “Well, 99% attendance is pretty good.” He went looking.

Jesus explained:
“Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which
was lost.” — Luke 15:6 (KJV)

September is a month when people reconnect. Vacations end, schedules settle down, and familiar faces return to church. It's also a good time to notice the faces that aren't there.
Is there someone you haven't seen lately? Someone who used to sit near you? A neighbor going through a difficult season? A friend who seems lonely? Someone who might simply need to hear, “I've been thinking about you.” You don't need a committee meeting or a church program.

Call them. Send a card. Invite them for coffee. Ask them to sit with you next Sunday. Sometimes we make ministry complicated. Jesus reminds us that occasionally ministry begins by simply noticing who's missing.