Dave O’Connell
Are any of you suffering? Pray. These words from Saint James’s epistle today are most appropriate for we New Bernians and Christ Church congregation. Today we are surrounded by suffering, loss, and pain, but we have been through disasters before. We are a Christian community whose faith is tested in many ways throughout our lives. We come each Sunday morning to hear the word of God proclaimed to us and to celebrate the Eucharist in this sacred space. It is appropriate that we talk about stewardship in the midst of the disaster of Florence. This sacred space has become a center of relief for helping people, and also to continue our church’s programs through the year. This requires leadership, and we are blessed to have to have this leadership in the presence of Paul, Cortney and Lisa who are guiding us and our community through this immediate disaster. Please take a moment to read our mission statement contained in our service leaflets. It is really lived out at times like this. In closing, I draw your attention to 1st Peter: 4:10. “As generous distributors of God’s manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received.”
Karen O’Connell
We at Christ church are a blessed people and a giving people. We give of our time, our talents and the fruits of our labors. To most of us who worship here, this has never been more evident than now when there is such need in our community. And as we know, our parish has risen to the task of helping. Our gifts to the annual stewardship campaign make it possible to give to others in need.
Please remember all the ways that God gives and allows us to give, and give to the stewardship campaign as you are able.
