Dear FPC Friends,
In my short time here at First Presbyterian Church I have had the opportunity to work side by side with many of you, but my favorite thing to do is to watch as you all work with one another. I have noticed already that working hand in hand is one great strength of our Church.
This fall I think it is important that we all begin to think about the life of our Church in 2010. On Sunday November 8th our Church will celebrate Stewardship Sunday. This will be a day of celebration here at FPC
that will symbolize all that you will do for FPC in 2010. On Stewardship Sunday you will have the opportunity to make not only your financial commitment to FPC but also a personal commitment of time and talent. I’ve been thinking long and hard and I suggest our theme this fall as we look toward our Stewardship in 2010 be “Joining Hands.” Have you heard that old saying about the impossibility of one hand clapping? We need each other. Think about what we can do if all of us pitch in to help.
Sure, I am talking about stewardship, but I am also writing about life in the church, in general.
Here is a favorite story that comes from Ruth Sentner:
A little boy wandered from his South Dakota home some years ago. The parents couldn't find him. State police, Boy Scouts, neighbors and others joined in the search.
For three days these hundreds of people moved through the prairie, hoping to find the boy before he succumbed to the elements.
On the morning of the fourth day, one of the searchers said, ‘Let’s get organized in one long line. We'll join hands and sweep up and down the prairie until we find the boy. He can't have gone very far.’
They formed a line a quarter of a mile long. They made an impressive sight
as they began to move through the prairie -- holding hands.
On the third sweep they found the boy. The cold prairie nights had taken their toll. He was lying dead, in a small ditch behind some brush. Gently the boy's body was carried to where the mother was waiting.
When they put the dead boy in his mother's arms, there was complete silence for a moment. Then she looked up and said: ‘Why didn't you join hands sooner? Why didn't you join hands sooner?’
Let’s not wait to join hands together in the mission and ministry of our wonderful church. Stewardship Sunday is November 8th followed by a potluck luncheon at noon.
Together for the Cause,
Kade
