Being Here.
Being here
with you
my fellow worshippers
my fellow friends
on this glorious
late October morning
being here at Edwards Church
where I stood 13 thirteen years ago
to speak with you about pledge week
about change and current events
about the Berlin wall coming down
and our commitment
to a ministry to the world
being here again with you
my spirit cannot help but soar
when I am surrounded by loving
and caring people
my heart
bursting with joy
watching
the change in season this year
today
this morning
I am so clearly reminded
to see in faith
What remains behind
from season to season
day to day
hour to hour
is as William Wordsworth
and Jonathan Edwards
saw
intimations of immortality
glimmers of heaven
given to me and you
the red leaf
the bare tree
the smooth stone
the snow covered corn field
a new friend
a child's giggle
a warm embrace
our church
Edwards Church
you may ask what difference does my membership
and pledge really make
it is a valid question but the truth is
that your pledge makes an enormous difference
a strong membership means a strong foundation
a building being only as sound as its foundation
that is why your support
your being here
counts....membership is the foundation of our church
Edwards church
saint peter said
"come as living stones
and let yourselves be used
in building the spiritual temple
where you will serve
as holy priests
to offer spiritual and acceptable
sacrifices to god"
members, like living stones, ensure
that Christian education and Christian outreach
continue to enrich, educate and inspire
yes my friends
and new members
there is a cost to discipleship
and there is also a joy
as we read in corinthians
"there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same lord"
one by one
stone by stone
gift by gift
pledge by pledge
we ensure that our resources of talent
money and love
will have a creative impact on our church
our community, the world
when you have the opportunity in november
to pledge your resources
I know that you
one by one
will do so prayerfully
knowingly, fully believing
that all we give will grow
as your gift feeds the homeless and hungry
maintains the church we call home
teaches the children who play and grow here
touches the people of northampton
and the world
join me in being here
where we make many people rich
giving till it feels good
pledge by pledge
stone by stone
building the spiritual temple
this is the day
the lord has made
let us rejoice and be glad in it
being here