+ The Good Life

Forged in Crisis

I've had meaningful conversations around the topic of leadership in crisis, since Nancy Koehn spoke for the Westmont President's Breakfast at Westmont.  Here's a brief introduction of the themes in her book, Forged in Crisis.  Nancy Koehn, examines five masters of crisis: explorer Ernest Shackleton; Abraham Lincoln; abolitionist Frederick Douglass; Nazi-resisting clergyman Dietrich Bonhoeffer; and environmental crusader Rachel Carson.

Peace in the world and in our communities

This month we will be selecting a Peacemaker of the Year, for the Redlands Noon Rotary Club to honor.  As we think of peace and those who help advance the cause of peace in the world and our community, I am hoping we can sing this song at Rotary:

Thank You for Giving to the Lord

The Mission Committee has announced their annual Thanksgiving Offering.

As we enter the season of harvest and gratitude, we are reminded of the importance and power of giving thanks. But how do we even begin to say thank you to a God who has done so much for us? One of the ways is to show God’s love for our neighbors through our Thanksgiving offering. As you know, your gifts are directed through our Missions Committee to both local ministries doing social services work, and to ministries involved in foreign evangelism and relief. You have been very generous, and for that we are very thankful.

While your gifts are for both local and foreign organizations, the Missions Committee has decided to emphasize local ministries in our Thanksgiving offering, and foreign evangelistic ministries in our Christmas offering. This in no way lessens the importance of either, but it does make it easier for us to spotlight them, and for you to understand their functions. On the below image is a list of the local ministries we have elected to support this year, along with a short description of their activities. In our Christmas offering letter we will highlight foreign evangelism ministries.

There are many local Ministries doing wonderful things in Redlands to advance Christian compassion and justice in a meaningful way. One significant criterion for selecting local Ministries to support financially emphasizes those where our members can become actively involved in a “hands-on” way, and for them to see the impact of the Ministry in our community. We are also mindful of opportunities to invite others outside our congregation to be involved with our own members in active ministry.

Your Thanksgiving offering can be received in multiple ways: You may direct your offering to a specific ministry or ministries, or you may simply make a general offering knowing we will follow the goals we have provided for each ministry. You are invited to fill and mail back the Thanksgiving envelope you were mailed, place your offering in an offering basket during service, or drop off at the church office.

We are humbled by God’s grace and overwhelmed by the love God has shown us. May your Thanksgiving be blessed with God’s abundant love.

Thank You for Giving to the Lord

Our chancel choir began the fall season with the wonderful anthem by Raymond Boltz titled: Thank You for Giving to the Lord. I echo these words as my theme for our Season of Stewardship:

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad that you gave

The Boltz song describes a dream scene in heaven where a grown child meets his Sunday School Teacher. The student says:

“You may not know me now,”
But then [the child says,] “But wait,
You used to teach my Sunday school
When I was only eight
Every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start
One morning when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart”

Some say: “I can’t help out with Sunday School, I don’t have the gift;” or “Been there, done that—now no more!” we have an increasing number of people giving at least an hour once a month to young people. Your contribution has eternal consequences. We may one day face a grown child in heaven who says:

 “Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed” 

Our church is doing some wonderful things for children and youth.  Julio (from our church) and Dominique (from our sister church—Restoration) have offered significant leadership for a growing ministry with young people.  This past Sunday they had over 80 kids from churches around town, in our Kimberly Hall, worshipping and learning about Jesus.

We are also reaching young people, outside our churches; at-risk youth throughout our community and around the world. We have meaningful partnerships with Youth Hope, Empower a Child in Kenya, Urban Promise International, and more. I believe that many of us will one day hear a heavenly word from those children:

“You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I'm here today”

Thank you for giving to the Lord.  This is the word of the children to us who give. Our generosity is supporting the Lord’s work in their lives. 

I like the way the Boltz song concludes.  It seems to transition from the words of the children into the very voice of Jesus, Himself.  He says to us: 

Thank You!
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave
I am so glad you gave

I echo these words of the children and our Master.

 

Do you know Mully?

I am looking forward to a film that our friend Sue McClure is bringing to First Congregational Church on Wednesday February 24th at 6PM.  She shared this description of the movie:  What happens when a six year old boy is abandoned by his family and left to raise himself on the streets? This is no ordinary rags to riches tale- it's the true story of Charles Mully, whose unlikely rise to wealth and power leaves him questioning his own existence, searching for meaning in life. Against the better judgment of family and community, Mully sets out to enrich the fate of orphaned children all across the land. By trusting in God's leading Charles Mully risks everything and sets in motion a series of events that is nothing short of astonishing. There will be a meal before the movie served at 5:30.