Likely, to your shock, this is your destiny, now: to be a saint. Ha!, we say. No thanks! As images of long-faced and dour saints come to mind. But, I want to say: it’s true. This Sunday, we welcome four young ones into the Body of Christ, claiming a gift that is already theirs: to be children of God. They have everything they’ll ever need to be saints, just like you. Sainthood is not some elite status of purity, but a way of following Christ that is unique to each person’s culture, experience, and personality. Thomas Merton, the great 20th century writer and monk made it plain: “For me to be a saint means to be myself.” God has made each one of us uniquely as we are and invites us into this divine Love just as we are. So, stop trying to be someone else and don’t look to someone else’s path to holiness. Trust the Spirit in you, inviting you forward more deeply into who you are—and, together, we’ll discover our destiny, now. This is, ultimately, what we have to offer to God. Yes, we offer to God our time, talent, and treasure—but what God desires above all is you.
This Sunday, we will celebrate the ingathering of our pledges at all three services (8:00 am, 10:00 am, 5:00 pm Word & Table). After Communion, we will offer a prayer of thanks and for guidance in our ministry and life together. And we remember that what God seeks, before all else, is us. This Sunday, we celebrate our life together with this ingathering, with four baptisms, and with our Ciderfest celebration (apple cider donuts, hot cider, etc.). Join us in Hadley Hall and the Cloister Garden after the 10:00 am service for Ciderfest to celebrate our commitment to moving forward in all the ways that we are giving from the heart.
Your pledge makes a significant different to our life together. As of Tuesday, we have received $640,745 in pledges bringing us a little over halfway to our goal of $1.2 million. If you have not yet submitted your pledge, please complete it online this week or bring your pledge card on Sunday to bring to the altar when you come forward to receive Communion. For those who have pledged already, there will be cards available at the back of the church so that you can participate in physically presenting your pledge at the offering. Your pledges have a direct impact on our life together through how we support our wonderful staff and the programs we plan for next year.
I look forward to seeing and celebrating with you this Sunday,
Nick+
