We begin February with a
rush, our first Sunday filled with activities. February 2nd is, of course, a Communion
Sunday, when we gather around our Lord’s Table and are nourished, renewed and
refreshed with the bread of life and the cup of salvation. What a perfect way
to begin a new month: coming to the Table, the guests of our Lord, all the
saints, reconciled one with another.
The first Sunday of the
month is also a Manna Sunday, when we bring our food offerings for the SERVE
Food Pantry, to feed the hungry in our community. Last year we collected more
than 6,000 pounds of food for hundreds of men, women, and children who rely on
SERVE to keep food on their table. Those whom we feed are our brothers and
sisters, our friends and neighbors.
It is on the first Sunday
of February each year that we hold our Annual Meeting of the Congregation.It is a time for us to look
back on the year just ended and celebrate all the many ministries God has
called us to. The meeting also provides
us with the opportunity to thank those who have completed terms of service on
our Session or Board of Deacons. Those ordained to the office of Elder or
Deacon are called for life, but faithful service for a term on a board does
deserve a respite, along with our profound gratitude.
And if all this isn’t
enough, it is also Super Bowl Sunday, with the two best teams in the National
Football League facing off to determine which team will be known as champion.
Our Middle Schoolers will feed us with their Super Bowl subs as they raise money
for their summer trip to Massanetta Springs. They’ll also collect food for
SERVE through their Souper Bowl of Caring Offering.
All this is just the first
Sunday of the month! It reflects the wonderful vibrancy and liveliness of our
church. We do keep things wonderfully “crunchy”!
What will you do this year
to build up this body of Christ God has called you to be part of? What will you
do to help keep things “crunchy”?
Don’t say you are too busy
– everyone is busy! In fact, I’ve always liked the quote attributed to Ben
Franklin: “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” God will
grace you with the gifts you need to get the job done, whatever is asked of
you.
“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall
mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall
walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Grace
and peace,
Pastor Skip
