Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing. – Malachi 3:10
Dear Caldwell,
The words above, from the prophet Malachi, were among the images we considered yesterday in worship. It was the second Sunday of our Discipleship Season and we are moving toward our time of commitment, this Sunday. The Discipleship materials that members and friends should have received by now explain how the church uses its contributions of time, talent and money. It is a story of intentional – and missional – ministry, both inward-facing, to feed us as disciples, and outward-facing, to serve others in God’s name and participate with God in ‘exhibiting the kingdom of heaven to the world.”
Please take time before Sunday to pray about what you can do to respond to a God who pledges to show us “windows of heaven.” If you would like to review the materials on line or use the on-line pledging tools, you can here http://www.caldwellpresby.org/discipleship2013/ Then, this Sunday, we will bring forward our pledges and celebrate all the God can do through us in 2014.
But first … we will celebrate with fish and fellowship! Mark your calendars for one of the most popular events of the year, this Saturday at Caldwell from 4-7 p.m. Make plans to come meet some of our newer members and catch up with others. All you need to bring is a side dish or dessert.
Also, Sunday night, we will begin a three-week conversation about a provocative book titled, “Toxic Charity,” which looks at ways that even the best-intended efforts to help others may backfire. Rev. Dr. Diane Mowrey, our parish associate minister, will lead us. You can find the book online or at any bookstore.
Please continue to pray for the members of our team that traveled yesterday to Guatemala to serve our brothers and sisters there. Look for a report from them soon!
In Christ,
John