The Messenger - March 24, 2011 - A Week of Blessing
"A Week of Blessing"
As you may have heard, I recently returned from a Presbyterian "Credo" Conference at Mo Ranch Camp in Hunt, Texas. "Credo" is a Latin word meaning "I believe," or, more poetically, "I give my heart," and this conference helped me focus on the heart of ordained ministry and my calling to it. Since it was sponsored by the Board of Pensions, which manages the health and retirement plan of PCUSA ministers, about half of the conference dealt with those topics, which are always practical and prudent. But the most meaningful part of the conference focused on identity and call.
I've known since early childhood that I was made to be a shepherd for other persons (even before I knew one could get paid for such a task), and I consider it a high privilege to walk beside other believers who want to hear the voice of God. At times, in my ministry, I have become distracted from this task by institutional concerns. Don't get me wrong--I am grateful for this institution that we call "the church,"and I am willing to juggle the tasks that paid service to the church requires. But the heart of my calling is not to the institution of the church--its to the people of the church where I am called to serve.
Looking back on 19 years of ordained ministry, I am grateful for the churches that I served, each of which has been strengthened both spiritually and financially. I am also grateful for significant periods of attendance growth. But what matters most to me are the people that I have served. I have loved to hear their stories of faith and growth and hope. I felt privileged to hear their stories of doubt and struggle, too, because that's part of what this life is all about. As Rick Warren once said, "God whispers in our pleasures but shouts in our pain." The important thing is to remember that God is speaking, God is shaping, and God is working in every experience that life brings.
As the Credo Conference continued, I wanted to find a way to affirm this for my colleagues, some of whom were struggling with deep conflict and real pain. After many meetings with God in prayer, I received a benediction for these pastors that I passed on to them. After more meetings with God in prayer, I received a benediction for you--and all those who have strived to serve our God by faith. I now pass this blessing on to you.
Through
the imagination of our God, you were created.
Your mind, your heart, your face bring our God joy.
Through
the blood of Jesus Christ, you've been released
from the grip
of sin and sloth and shame.
Leave all those things behind.
Through
power of the Holy Spirit, you've been revived
to live and love and laugh and sing again.
You are cherished.
So go
forth with God's blessing
to touch the lives of others with this holy love,
remembering that Christ lives in you.
God loves you--and I do, too!
Neal
Fri, Mar 25
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Sat, Mar 26
4:00 pm - Volleyball - FP2 vs New Life
6:00 pm - Volleyball - FP5 vs BVB
7:00 pm - Volleyball - FP4 vs FP3
5:30 pm - Outrigger Cruise
Sun, Mar 27
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship - Gospel Gang and King's Chorus
sing
11:00 am - Worship & Music Commission Meeting
Mon, Mar 28
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
Wed, Mar 30
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
1:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir
4:00 pm - Angel and Cherubs Storytime
4:00 pm - GG Devotional/Homework Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir
5:45 pm - Dinner for King's Chorus and SonLight
Singers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir
6:15 pm - High School Fellowship
7:00 pm - Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:15 pm - Junior High Fellowship
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir
Thu, Mar 31
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
4:00 pm - Volleyball - FP5 vs FP6
6:00 pm - Volleyball - FP2 vs LW2
9:00 pm - Volleyball - FP4 vs LW1
Sun, Apr 3
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
5:30 pm - Staff Appreciation Dinner
Erik Larson is the interim editor of
the Messenger.
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