Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are varieties of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are varieties of activities but the same God who works all things in all persons.
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
– 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
As the lazy days of summer quickly draw to a close and the school activities begin to burgeon, the Holy Spirit of God continues to enliven and refresh God’s people for service and ministry. In fact, God is always showering believers with a variety of gifts that enable us to contribute significantly to the work of Jesus Christ through the church.
Even now, our Governing Board is discerning how to lead our congregation into the future, and our Pastor Nominating Committee is already diligently at work. Through the West Area Collaboration of Eastminster Presbytery, we have inaugurated our Faithful Innovation Team that is seeking ways in which our church can more effectively shine the light of Jesus Christ in our community. In addition, as we are still enjoying the rhythms of the steel drums at the Caribbean party hosted at the Williams’ home, our Fellowship Committee is looking to plan other activities that will heighten our comradery with one another, and at the same time our Mission Committee is continuing their great work in reaching out to our fellow human beings in the world. Similarly our wonderful gardeners offer a model to us by joyfully sharing the fruits of God’s blessings that not only nourish our sisters and brothers at Gennesaret, but also equip us for service in the world.
Indeed, whether we utilize our talents in the kitchen or on a committee, whether we are interested in music or in mission, whether our talents lie in technology or with tools, God has blessed each one of us with at least one gift that we can share for the work and witness of Christ’s church. In offering ourselves to the work of the church, something more than the lazy days of summer draw to a close; a new future begins to dawn, where God is revealed among us in new and unexpected ways, and where we are able to participate with God in the life-changing and life-renewing work that Christ will accomplish.
And, isn’t that something in which we would like to invest our gifts?
Blessings,
tom