|
|
|
Generosity |
 |
|
Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 4/8/2009 3:03 PM | Greetings on this beautiful spring day,
One of the things I have done each Holy Week for the last several years is read parts of the Gospel accounts of the events of the first Holy Week some 2000 years ago. I do it to put myself back in touch with the story, to remind myself that even faithful people are capable of horrible things and to guard myself against being one of those people. I do it to try and experience the reality of the situation: that Jesus, fully human, faced humiliation and death, for me, for us, for humanity. And when those things are accomplished, something else becomes apparent: we serve a generous God.
The events of Holy Week are horrible, but Jesus, God incarnate on earth, generously gave of himself that we might have a relationship and know the joy of salvation. Because of that generosity, we are a forgiven people, secure in the fact that nothing can ever really harm us, for God is with us. Because of that generosity, we have been given everything and so it is natural that we too, would seek to be generous with our time, with our gifts, with everything that God has given us. But I am here to tell you, not everyone lives out that lesson of generosity as well as the people of BCC.
This past week, three different things happened to remind me again just what a truly generous group of people this congregation is. First, Tara Kinney was admitted to the hospital last week when tests raised some concern. The decision was made to deliver her baby immediately. In the midst of this, the BCC community was asked to pray for Tara and the doctors and her son. Charles told me on Wednesday that at one point he was pacing nervously when he was overcome with the undeniable feeling that people were praying for him, strengthening him, surrounding him and his family with the generous gift of their love. Aiden Ray Kinney arrived safely via c-section on Wednesday afternoon, and at 4 lb. 2 oz, he is one tough little guy! Yesterday, he went home, doing well.
Second: during the service Sunday, Carol and I were surprised by gift cards to help celebrate the purchase of our first house. The generosity of this congregation astounds me. The gift cards will allow us to get some things we need, and some fun things, too, that we might not have gotten without your thoughtful gift. We are blessed to be part of such a wonderful community of faith, and soon, we will have an open house to welcome you to our new home. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Third, the results of our recent Debt Reduction Campaign showed once again, that even in the midst of uncertain economic times, this congregation will step and do what needs to be done to honor God, to be good stewards of what God has given us, and to move us forward to do God’s work on the corner of Peachtree and Lanier. The number of people giving to Debt Reduction increased significantly. The amount pledged to pay this years mortgage payment exceeded our goal by $10,000, some 20% more than our goal. And finally, $53,000+ was raised in one time gifts to underwrite part of the costs to begin planned renovations in our sanctuary. This was some $3000+ above our goal. With this generous offering, we will move forward in faith and love, doing our best to live out God’s word and God’s will in the life of this congregation.
At the heart of everything we do and everything we are is the generosity of a loving God. We have been given the greatest gift possible. And with that as our model, it is easy to be generous with our prayers, our support, our resources, our time and ourselves. And you know what? It makes a difference. Thanks be to God!
For an updated prayer list and list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Please keep Mildred Ripley, who is undergoing surgery for breast cancer this afternoon. Mildred is a longtime teacher in the Brookhaven Christian Child Development Center.
Please be with all our Jewish brothers and sisters and they gather in homes tonight and for the next several days as they celebrate Passover, the festival that memorializes the Hebrew peoples escape from Egypt under Moses leadership.
Upcoming Events
Tomorrow night, Thursday April 9 at 7:00 p.m. please join us in the sanctuary for a Maundy Thursday service. With scripture, “witness” accounts, music and the sharing of Holy Communion, we will place ourselves back in Jerusalem during that eventful week over 2000 years ago.
A Good Friday Prayer Vigil, on Friday April 10, will be held in the sanctuary between noon and 3:00 p.m. Come and pray, sit in silence and meditate on the events of Good Friday during the traditional hours of Christ’s passion. Come and go as you can; communion will be available.
Easter begins early on Sunday April 12 at 7:00 a.m. with a Community Sunrise Service on the lawn of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church on Lanier Dr. just down the street from BCC.
Then, come over to the fellowship hall for a Congregational Pot Luck Easter Breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. We want to spread out the food over that time, so if you could bring a dish or two to pass at either 8:30 or 9:00 it would be greatly appreciated.
As usual, Sunday School will be held for all ages at 9:45 a.m. followed by Easter Worship in the sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.
Immediately following worship we will have an Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones on the church lawn. If weather does not permit, the hunt will be in the fellowship hall.
Mark your calendar for next Saturday April 18 at 7:00 p.m. for a wonderful movie event. “Fireproof” a moving story of faith, perseverance and hope will be shown in the Haynie Media Room in the basement.
If you have not yet signed up for your picture to be taken for our new photo directory on Friday May 1 or Saturday May 2, you can do so this Sunday or by contacting Mary Ann Brooks or Harold Kinney.
I hope you can be part of some or all of our Holy Week and Easter activities. This Easter Sunday we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus with worship at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The sermon is titled: “An Idle Tale” and the scripture is Luke 24: 1-12. Have a meaningful Holy Week!
Be peaceful,
Brad
| | | Permalink | Trackback |
|
|
 | |