Dear Caldwell,
“Kingdom language” gets bandied about a lot in churches and among church folk, most often us preachers. Some believe the Kingdom of Heaven is only to be seen there, some far-off reality. But I believe that only lets us off the hook in the here and now. This Sunday, we will conclude our series on the ‘Great Ends’ of the church with a look at the church’s mandate to “Exhibit the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.” That last part (emphasis mine) makes it quite clear that we can and must show the world what God’s idea of a kingdom looks like, a very present place of peace, love, justice and mercy.
Throughout worship this Sunday, including Pastor Evie’s sermon and during communion, we will consider our role in that blessed calling and how God equips us for it. It’s a fitting topic as we proceed in our Discipleship Season. This week, members and friends should have received a packet of information about the depth and breadth of our shared ministry on campus and beyond it. This is your invitation to renew your commitment to do your part in “exhibiting the Kingdom on earth,” as we all are called to do together as the church. As I preached last Sunday, this sets the church apart from any other institution or organization on earth. The church steps in when others don’t. Please take time with the information and prayerfully consider all that you can do. We will return our pledges in worship Oct. 13 in celebration (or you can mail yours in with the enclosed envelope).
After worship Sunday, the session will meet briefly to receive new members. If you have been walking with us and considering making Caldwell your church home, we would love to have you. Before worship, the Adult Christian Education class continues its study of how the 500-year old old Heidelberg Catechism still speaks to our contemporary faith. Sunday night at 6 pm is time for youth and, in the Shelby Room, Mike Watson hosts a learning session about the Koinonia Farm and Community in Georgia – and he is bribing all to come with Magic Mike’s BBQ.
We are praying for several members and situations. Jackie Abernethy will now be going to a rehabilitation hospital for a couple of weeks, location TBD. Scott Creigh lost his nephew in the crash on I-40 in Tennessee earlier this week and we pray for the church in Statesville that is dealing with such sudden and deep loss from the same accident. This weekend, Ivan and Donna Marcotte will be celebrating the life of their son, Mitchell, who died a year. We have all learned so much from the strength and integrity of their walk and their healing.
PLEASE NOTE: As of this coming Monday, the 200 block of Hawthorne Ave. will be closed for a month. This is the block of Hawthorne that runs from Elizabeth Ave (directly in front of Presbyterian Hospital) to 5th Street (where the church is, one block down). So, if you come down Queens from the Myers Park area or, coming northwestbound, turn right onto Hawthorne from Fourth or Fifth, your route will be affected. Remember this is AFTER this Sunday, beginning on Monday. There is a map and more information on this link. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/Transportation/News/Pages/Hawthorne-Lane-9-23-13.aspx
Finally, in the petty (and tragic) bickering and game-playing in Congress, we have seen plenty this week of what the Kingdom of Heaven does NOT look like. To that end, below my signature, I share a statement put out yesterday by a broad coalition of church and religious leaders.
In Christ,
John
Catholic, evangelical and mainline Christian leaders issued the following statement in response to the government shutdown:
As Christians and citizens, we are appalled that elected officials are pursuing an extreme ideological agenda at the expense of the working poor and vulnerable families.
We especially challenge those Members of Congress who call themselves pro-life to cease their political posturing on Capitol Hill. Shutting down the government in a futile effort to defund or delay the Affordable Care Act will hurt low-income pregnant women and infants who receive vital nutrition support. The Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will receive no additional funds during the shutdown. There is nothing “pro-life” or Christian about taking food away from pregnant women and babies. It is hypocritical and shameful for those who tout their commitment to family values to show such callous indifference.
The shutdown hurts all Americans, including seniors who will see “Meals on Wheels” cut, preschoolers who will be turned away from Head Start, and public servants who will be locked out of their workplaces without pay as bills pile up. This failure of political leadership and responsible governance exposes our nation’s misplaced values.
Struggling families, seniors and pregnant women don’t deserve to be victims of a manufactured crisis in Washington.