“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a NRSV

In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul speaks these words in the knowledge that those in the church of Thessalonica have been faithful to God since Paul first preached and taught them about the Good News of Jesus the Christ. In fact, Paul laments that he had to leave and had not been able to return for a visit and even sent Timothy to be with them for a while. The letter laments that Paul is not with them and yet is full of loving encouragement for the church to continue in the manner they follow the way of Jesus. A letter of encouragement and thanksgiving.

The very word Eucharist comes from the Greek eukharistia which means thanksgiving. While during the service of Eucharist we are not celebrating the meal shared by the early colonists and the indigenous people of the America’s we are offering thanksgiving to God. And while we are thankful for the many blessings of this life health, housing, food, employment, and the like, do you wonder how can we also be thankful in all circumstances including sickness, homelessness, hunger, and unemployment for example?

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18b-20 NRSVUE

This is the Great Commission in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus is telling the disciples what they are to do: make more disciples. How is that done? Well, baptism of course. It is the original and consistent manner anyone joins the Christian community of believers. It is the mark of the Holy Spirit which can never be erased or removed. You are God’s own forever.

Walk in Love is the name of our stewardship campaign this year. I am looking forward to Holy Spirit doing amazing things in the future. And that takes time, talent, and treasure. In the spirit of stewardship, the finance committee is providing an update for our current year pledging with a forecast to where we will be financially by the end of this year, 2024.

During this stewardship season as we pray about what treasure to share with the church’s mission to teach and spread the Good News of Jesus, I would also ask that you consider your time and talent as well. All three of these, time, talent, and treasure are needed to further the mission of Holy Spirit.

Time and talent are vital gifts. They help with treasure as we do not need to hire out for some of our programming. They allow us to be flexible as some ministries are seasonal and do not need to hire a full-time person. When you volunteer your time and talent you become more integrated into the life of the church and there is a deeper sense of belonging. You learn more about the faith of the church and your own faith. You become a part of why we are here: to plant and water the Kingdom of God in the hearts of the people we serve leaving fertile ground for God to grow faithful people into disciples.

Dear Holy Spirit Family, 

The recent storms and the destruction they have caused have most likely evoked memories of Harvey and Beryl. Let’s continue to pray for all those who are affected by the recent storms and offer support. One way is through the Episcopal Relief & Development organization. As is written on their website, “Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support long-term recovery efforts.” Thank you.

 God’s Peace,

Mitch+

“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’” - Genesis 1:28b

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” - Genesis 2:15

Two days last week I was a part of the Pet Blessings at both the School and the Church. They were wonderful days full of excited pet and “lovey” parents and children. It is a time when we get to appreciate our pets not only in fellowship but also in acknowledgment of God’s place in that relationship.

As you can see from the quotes above, we are given charge over the creation that God made and calls “good.” Including us. We are the “them” in the first quote. We are blessed and to pass that blessing on to creation itself. We are to have “dominion,” or authority over creation, we are to till the soil and to “keep” it. In other words, we are to have stewardship over creation.

It is a simple phrase, but I believe it to be an important one. Especially here in a church with paid staff and volunteers. In a church the size of Holy Spirit both are very important and necessary for the proper functioning of the church. Well, it’s necessary for any sized church really but Holy Spirit is a betweener. Spanning the gap between a Pastoral size church and a Program sized church. We are knocking on the door of a Program sized church. Which means resources are stretched, usually.

This is not a stewardship message. It does sound like one yet what I am trying to do here is say thank you. Thank you to the stressed staff and volunteers that are working hard to make things happen at Holy Spirit. Not for the sake of making things happen, but I believe for the sake of fulfilling the churches calling to invite, welcome, connect, teach, and send out people into the world in the name of Jesus. In other words, to make disciples.