As we begin a new ‘church year’ (September-ish!) I reflect on the things that I feel we are blessed with. People are happy, they are smiling as they come together here at St. Paul’s. There is an excitement, our laity is feeling that excitement and so many new things are happening. I am so humbled to see the Mom’s ministry continue, and to see a Women’s Book Study begin. At the same time, our Christian Education department is expanding to new and wonderful events this winter, as we embrace Messy Church, some Movie nights, and other themed events. We have begun a Youth group, as well as a Young Adult night. In the summer we voted to undertake Refugee sponsorship. As I write this, I just finished performing the second wedding of the season. We are privileged to be here, to have what we have, and the people that make up our church home. Thinking of this I was taken back to the sermon I preached on September 24th (Take a listen if you want to hear the whole thing). Here is part of it:
Over the summer I attended an event called the ‘Big Tent’ of the PCUSA in St. Louis. There, our amazing bible study leader, Eric Barreto, looked at this text of the wealthy landowner, as someone whose father was that day laborer his whole life, just trying their best so he, their son, could have a better life. To him, this scripture is about God’s justice meeting us where we are, where our needs are. You could stand all day and never get work, that’s a reality for the immigrant community, but you would stand at the same spot, with the same people, 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. These were your friends, they were family, you weren’t angry when someone got a day’s wage for doing an hour’s week, you thanked God.
Friends, grace has no measure. If I jump in the pool at the beginning of the day, I am no wetter than the one who jumped in just before it was time to get out. We are all blessed with that same grace at St. Paul’s. Feel it. Experience it. Let it drive you, as we push into this new year, happy and hopeful. We are also asked to thank God, always and everyday, thank God. For everything we have, for whom we have, and for Jesus our Christ. Happy Thanksgiving. Amen.
Over the summer I attended an event called the ‘Big Tent’ of the PCUSA in St. Louis. There, our amazing bible study leader, Eric Barreto, looked at this text of the wealthy landowner, as someone whose father was that day laborer his whole life, just trying their best so he, their son, could have a better life. To him, this scripture is about God’s justice meeting us where we are, where our needs are. You could stand all day and never get work, that’s a reality for the immigrant community, but you would stand at the same spot, with the same people, 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. These were your friends, they were family, you weren’t angry when someone got a day’s wage for doing an hour’s week, you thanked God.
Friends, grace has no measure. If I jump in the pool at the beginning of the day, I am no wetter than the one who jumped in just before it was time to get out. We are all blessed with that same grace at St. Paul’s. Feel it. Experience it. Let it drive you, as we push into this new year, happy and hopeful. We are also asked to thank God, always and everyday, thank God. For everything we have, for whom we have, and for Jesus our Christ. Happy Thanksgiving. Amen.
RSS Feed