Perhaps you heard that the draft of Bob Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone” sold this week for $2,045,000. Four sheets of paper, one song, two million bucks. In other words, somebody paid more than $500,000 for a single piece of paper, and then, for good measure, bought three more at the same price.

But did you know that Like a Rolling Stone has something in common with the Gateway Arch in my hometown of St. Louis? And they both share something with Tom & Jerry (the cartoon cat and mouse) and A Charlie Brown Christmas (simply the best 25 minutes of holiday TV).

What could these four odd collections of pop culture have in common? Simply this: all of them first appeared in 1965. Like a Rolling Stone began spinning on American turntables on August 30. Tom started chasing Jerry on September 25. The Gateway Arch was completed on October 28. And Charlie Brown and his sweetly pathetic tree first appeared on TV on December 9. All in 1965.

And to these, add one more: Fern Creek Christian Church.

On June 27, 1965, Fern Creek Christian Church gathered for its initial worship service (under its first name, Second Christian Church). The church first met downtown, but soon relocated to the Fern Creek area, where we have been ever since.

Forty-nine years of being, and becoming, God’s people. Forty-nine years of living and loving like Jesus. Nearly five decades of seeking to live out God’s mission in us and through us.

I am grateful for what God has done through our church in the past 49 years. I am privileged to be a part of what God is doing at Fern Creek right now. And I look forward to what God has in store as we move toward 50 years — and beyond.

My favorite part of Charlie Brown’s Christmas special is when CB yells out, “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?”

“Sure Charlie Brown,” Linus says. “I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Linus then takes center stage and proceeds to tell his friends about the true meaning of Christmas — straight out of Luke 2. And it includes these words from the angels: “Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (NRSV).

For 49 years, Linus’s message has been proclaimed on TV airwaves every Christmas. And for 49 years, in season and out of season, that same story of Jesus has been shared in and through Fern Creek Christian Church.

Here’s to 49 more years of living and loving like Jesus. Puny Christmas tree optional.