We are stones fit together.

The church is a warehouse of self-less acts. Acts of devotion done for no other reason than to be kind and generous abound in our congregation.

I know a trustee who got up very early on Sunday to go to Home Depot to secure a toilet seat for the women’s restroom, the day after he had spent all of his Saturday morning cleaning the church and coordinating efforts to spruce up our church and property.  A self-less, kind act that pretty much goes unnoticed and even if it were noticed, would go without comment since we take such practical things as toilet seats for granted.

I know a deacon who shows up every Sunday without fail by 8 in the morning and coordinates the day with the pastor; who on a Sunday like yesterday, finishes a long day that included a touching memorial service by taking non-perishable food items to Martha’s Table.  By herself without assistance from anyone, she makes one more stop to extend the ministry of our church outward into our community.

A trustee mops the narthex on a Saturday morning, a deacon provides flowers for a dear and departed colleague’s memorial service, a devoted member makes sure our web site is up and running and that sermons are recorded and posted and goes the extra mile to help train others who are willing to take up this ministry, a deacon provides meals for the shut-in at Thanksgiving, a member shops and cooks every month in order to provide food for our monthly luncheon, a trustee oversees the church bank accounts and makes sure money is accounted for and protected, a deacon visits a patient and sings to them, a member invites another member to lunch for encouragement and support, another member helps coordinate our efforts for the CROP Walk, visitors who have come to love our church show up on their own time to mulch the garden beds and help landscape, and so on  and on and on.  The church is a warehouse of self-less acts.

Not every one gets acknowledged and of course, 99.9% of those who give of their time and efforts are not seeking thanks or commendation. They give because Christ has graced their lives.  This month and into the summer, think of the opportunities you have to fill that warehouse with the treasure of your self-less acts of devotion. Because the mystery of the church that is a warehouse of self-less actions is this:  it is both full and empty at the same time.  May God bless your efforts. Do not tire of doing well.  But together and in concert with our Savior, let us work to repair the world and bring healing to the lives of those we touch.  As your pastor, let me thank you for I am truly, truly grateful for all you do to make our church the wonderful place of peace and love that it is.

Pstr

Share on Facebook