Alice used to run the blood drives at a church I served with before. She ran them…religiously, oddly enough. They were always in the fellowship hall, which, one could argue, is where just as much ministry happens inside church building walls as any other room. She orchestrated them as if she was under the impression that life could be impacted for the better, as if lives could be saved; as if that should be part of standard church ministry operation, whether be physically, spiritually, mentally, or a combination of all the above.
And even though she might have been one of those…lovely church people with her fair share of stubbornness and my-way-or-the-highway-ness about her, whenever the donor finished their respective giving-of-life, she always welcomed you to the table she was sitting behind for you to sign your name and get your snacks for physical replenishment, and give you a dose of spiritual replenishment as well with her dry sense of humor and a near holy inquisitiveness about what made you special in the eyes of God.
Alice was a unique soul, to be sure, but one of countless many disciples of Christ who individual congregations and the entire wider church operation depend on to keep the life-shaping ministry going for the better. And so, as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord this upcoming January 10/11 weekend, we not only celebrate The baptism of long ago, but of countless others since, including for Alice, and all those who keep making church buildings come to life not just on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, but throughout the week; and not just inside those church buildings, but in homes and stores and shelters and wherever we go, as if the Holy Spirit is willing to go along for our earthly ride wherever we go.
So, to best celebrate such individuals we often take for granted, refreshments will be provided in between the Sunday morning worships to extend our appreciation to all of them (to all of you!). And during our time together this weekend, we will collect those often-taken-for-granted time and talent sheets (whether paper or digital), so that we may continue to best maximize our Holy Spirit-driven gifts to enhance not only our Divinity family, but all those we will do our best to impact physically, spiritually, mentally, or a combination of all the above.
Yes, to put it mildly, we give thanks for all of you, all of you who help make Divinity thrive with hope and new life, but ultimately all possible because of the entire church’s one and true foundation in Jesus Christ, her Lord. Thanks be to God, indeed!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
To fill out your time and talent sheet, please visit:
www.divinitylutheran.com/timeandtalent