Dear Caldwell,
Each Sunday, we confess our sin and shortcomings and hear the assurance of the Lord’s pardon, saying aloud:
“In the name of Christ, we receive God’s gift of grace, May the peace of Christ be also with you.”
God’s gift of grace …. There is no other word for how God takes the lead in our lives – it is a gift, pure and simple. God’s act of forgiveness in and through the cross is something we could never earn, merit or deserve.
What does it call for from us? In short, our gratitude.
This Sunday we begin our annual Stewardship Season, a time to reflect deeply on what we have from God and, then, to decide how we will respond to God’s abundance with our financial pledges to build God’s kingdom on earth, as best we know how, at Caldwell and beyond. The result will be our budget for 2019.
We are, indeed, deeply blessed. Caldwell embodies a spirit of love, passion and compassion, especially for the vulnerable and the oppressed, those whom Christ held most closely.
You have helped build a congregation that welcomes radically and serves selflessly, that fights injustice tirelessly and takes risk for the sake of the gospel. You have formed a meaningful, unique and authentic community in a world where that is a rare commodity.
Most recently, others have come alongside us to join our dream of a world that better reflects Christ’s teaching. The Gambrell Family Foundation is helping us transform our campus for the good of the community but they are NOT helping with our annual budget.
That is our job! That is where our gratitude comes in.
Thomas Aquinas, a medieval leader and thinker of God’s church, said gratitude is the most appropriate response to God’s gift of grace. Gratitude, he said, is made complete when it consists of three steps.
First, we take measure of all we have from God. In other words, we see it, which Gail will preach about in worship this Sunday.
Second, we outwardly acknowledge God’s gifts, love, care and provision. In other words, we say it, our focus Oct. 21, when General Presbyter Rev. Dr. Jan Edmiston is our guest preacher.
Third, we respond by giving what we have (all of which comes originally from God) to advance God’s causes. We share it, which we celebrate with out commitment cards on Oct. 28.
As you see, for the next three weeks, we will take time with scripture, prayer and through hearing each other’s stories of gratitude to move through each of these steps.
If you did not receive your Stewardship packet Sunday, you will receive it in the mail before Sunday. Please take time with it, begin praying about your gratitude and join us in worship in the next three weeks.
Personally, I am profoundly grateful for each of you, a true gift and manifestation of God’s grace.
In Christ,
John