Dear Caldwell,
I am reminded today of that well-known passage in Ecclesiastes that says “there is a time to reap and a time to sew, a time to mourn and a time to dance” and so on.
In our life together at Caldwell, we are in the midst of a time to LEAP. We practice a Faith of Leap not of baby steps or cautious moves.
We follow in the footsteps of so many we know from scripture but also from history. The Apostle Paul might have remained a rich and powerful pharisee. Instead he leaped and helped define the Jesus movement into Christianity. Sojourner Truth might have hid in secrecy after escaping from slavery. Instead she leaped and helped lead the abolition movement. Malala Yousafzai might have given up her life of advocacy for women’s rights after a Taliban gunman shot her in the head. Instead, her voice grew louder, and she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Each of us has a leap inside of us – something we are called to do or be. Our Lord has a purpose for each of us. I am uplifted every day to see how you, as members of Caldwell and residents of our city, pursue that calling and purpose. You inspire me.
On Sunday, we spent time with Jesus’ parable of the talents. Jesus’ challenge for us to step out of our comfort zones, to extend ourselves, to take risk for the sake of the gospel, still rings out.
This Sunday, we take up another of Jesus’ parables – the parable of the persistent widow. As with all parables, it is multifaceted. It speaks to how we pray, how we persevere, how we hear the cry of the poor and the oppressed and how we activate our faith … the faith that calls us to leap.
I pray that you will take time this week to review the packet you have received to review how you can pledge your Time, Talent and Treasure in Caldwell’s many ministries. Scripture reminds us that “faith without works is dead.” God calls you to engage as, together, we seek to be the body of Christ at work in the world. God also asks for our “first fruits,” our unhesitating love offering of our money, our tithes and offerings, for God’s purposes, a concrete expression of our faith and commitment.
On Sunday, we will bring and dedicate our pledges. And each of us is invited to help create an art installation. Bring something that represents, for you, how you are pledging to use your time and talent in the Lord’s service in 2017.
For example, a can of food to help feed the hungry, some walking shoes to march for justice and invitation, razors for our homeless neighbors, a pan or a spatula if you like to cook or work in the kitchen, Goldfish crackers if you want to help teach the kids, a calculator if you sit on the Finance Committee, a pillow if you do Room in the Inn, a rubber snake if you were with the Buddy/Mentor gang last Sunday (ask them about that) and so on. Whatever you bring, you will get back.
So, please go to God in prayer, review the ways you can serve and define your LEAP in time, talent and treasure as a way to thank and serve God for God’s grace in Christ. And come Sunday with your pledge cards, your object of service and your readiness to dedicate and celebrate all that God is doing through us – and will do through us in 2017 and beyond.
In the meantime, our friend and member Sasha Strock is packing for her move from Charlotte today. If you can help, her address is 40 Famous Dr. in Concord. Lots of food to sustain you. She needs all the help she can get.
We continue to pray for her as she begins a new life in Minneapolis as well as all those in need of God’s healing and inspiration.
In Christ,
John