One gift that can be overlooked is the gift of community. God put us together at Eastminster to invite, equip, reach out and serve our world for Jesus Christ. Living in community is not easy. Yet as we rejoice and respond to God together … amazing things happen. This year is an example in so many ways! If you did not receive a brochure in the mail outlining some of them, please pick one up at the Information Station on the way out from church.
Our Scripture today is from I Peter 4. It gives encouragement to a community that wants
to grow close to God. It calls us to pray
together, be disciplined, maintain constant love, be hospitable, all without complaining. It commands: “Like good stewards of the
manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has
received” (I Peter 4:10)
Each of us has received gifts for use in service, and God
will provide strength for service so that Christ will be glorified. Many, many members past and present have
generously offered gifts of service to God—gifts of time such as listening to
others, learning, worshiping, caring, maintaining our buildings and grounds,
nurturing our families—gifts of talents such as teaching, leading, encouraging,
exhorting, evangelizing, praising, undergirding—gifts of generosity such as
tithing, sharing special offerings, meeting spiritual and physical needs. I believe that God has made them greater
together than they would be separately.
I believe Christ is glorified through Eastminster Presbyterian Church!
We are on the right track when we “show it”—when we “serve
one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” As we approach Consecration Sunday next
week, be in prayer for Christ to be glorified as we worship together, offer our
“estimates of giving” together, and share a meal together in celebration of
God’s generosity.
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