My late father-in-law had a bold way with words. He was known to exclaim, “Jesus, Mary, and the other guy!” As you might guess, the “other guy” was Joseph—Mary’s betrothed. But Pop wouldn’t say Joseph’s name in a swear. Why? Out of reverence. His own name was Joseph, too.

Joseph is a classic name with deep roots. In Hebrew, it means “God increases,” and for over a century, it has consistently ranked among the top 20 names in the U.S. Around the world, variations like Giuseppe, José, and Youssef keep “Joe” just as popular.

With such widespread use, it’s no wonder that “Joe” has become shorthand for the common man. The phrase “Average Joe” refers to an everyday person—someone relatable, without fame or fortune. Other expressions like “Joe Public” and “the man on the street” carry the same meaning, reinforcing the idea of the ordinary, hardworking individual.

But not all Josephs have been “average.” The Bible gives us at least 16 different Josephs, and some played extraordinary roles. There’s Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy follower of Jesus who ensured His body was given a proper burial. And in the Old Testament, we meet Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel—the dreamer with the technicolor coat. Sold into slavery by jealous brothers, he rose to power in Egypt, ultimately reconciling with his family in a remarkable story of healing and forgiveness.

That same story from Genesis will be part of our special Healing Worship Service this Sunday, February 23rd, at 9:30 AM. Whether you’re an “Average Joe” or not, you are welcome. And if your name happens to be Tom, Dick, or Harry—you’re invited too! After all, what’s better than a lesson on Joseph? A free cup of Joe to go with it!

Blessings,

Pastor Marc