The Messenger - October 1, 2010 - A Love for Missions

Pastor's Corner

"A Love for Missions"

Last Friday, September 24, I had the privilege of accepting a beautiful glass plaque from Harbor Interfaith Services recognizing our church's 35 years of commitment to that wonderful group. As many of you know, Harbor Interfaith (formerly known as "FISH") started in the kitchen pantry of a few concerned citizens who wished to address the problem of hunger in our community, but it moved very quickly to our church basement, and the largest free food pantry in San Pedro remained in our basement for years. Eventually, they moved on to a larger facility several blocks closer to "downtown" San Pedro, but they never forgot their "roots" here at First Pres, and we never forgot them--sending both money and volunteers down to their office for decades.

Harbor Interfaith was born the 1970s, a truly remarkable decade for our church. On the one hand, we had problems--many problems--and these problems caused great division both within and beyond the church. But, on the other hand, several of these controversies birthed a whole new set of missions that have blessed this community for years. Not only did we start Harbor Interfaith (with the help of many "outside" friends), we also started a prison ministry that lasted for several years and two "half-way" houses for returning inmates in Long Beach. During this same period, we also helped to organize San Pedro's Meals on Wheels a program, a program that has continued to feed sick and shut-in citizens from the kitchen of our church 5 days per week for 35 years. We've also played an important role in our city's efforts to save drug addicts, and we received an award for that mission just last year. Those who helped to organize these missions many years ago can tell you that every one of them was birthed in controversy, yet all of them were clearly worth the headaches that they caused.

This Sunday, October 3, I'll be preaching from a book that was born in controversy--Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Some of the issues it addresses are as contemporary as the morning newspaper, while others seem rather "dated" in our time. But each was a vital issue for the church that Paul addressed, and Paul used even "minor" issues to establish some major principles that undergird a strong church. These are principles like compassion, self-discipline, and commitment to the greater good. I believe it is those principles that got us through the 1970s, and I believe it is those principles that make a church endure.

After revisiting these powerful principles in our worship service, we will celebrate their fruits in a Global Missions Fair up in McDonald Hall. This year, as in years past, we will focus on several groups that extend God's holy love to those who need it most: hungry, homeless, addicts, elderly, children, and teenagers both at home and abroad. We'll enjoy some delicious baked goods and a hearty bowl of soup. We'll also shop for home-made cards and fabulous 3rd world crafts. Unlike prior years, we'll hear from Henry Murry, our newest short-term missionary, while the children of our church enjoy a fun yet informative "hunt" for information (and rewards) through the various mission tables in that large room.

In short, Sunday's going to be a truly fabulous day. Whether your love for missions is long-settled or just beginning to be formed, I hope you'll join us because these days remind us that commitment to God's mission is always worth the sacrifice it entails.

I'll see you in church!

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