saintly work

“God helps those who help themselves.”

82% of Americans think so, according to pollster George Barna,and more than half of the respondents were strongly convinced this is one of the major messages of Scripture…despite the fact that it’s not actually in there!

This phrase is so popular because it is our heart's desire: to be the center, to have it all, to keeping taking advantage of the world around us, to build up our prosperity, to focus on our well-being to the exclusion of all else. It's fine - even God-ordained - if my life is filled to overflowing with accolades and material wealth because God helps those who help themselves.

But, that isn't what the Bible says; Scripture tells us the exactly opposite: God calls us to help others - the poor, the immigrant, the widow, the orphan. That's exactly what our Sunday readings last week were all about: Love God, Love Neighbor...and only then Love Self.

This week for All Saints' Day we lift up those holy folks who have lived into God, love neighbor, love yourself and our Gospel reading for Sunday reminds us of the work of all the saints, all the people of God (which includes you!). The Beatitudes is actually a list of the ways that God offers care: with the hands, eyes, and heart of each person who does Beatitude work. We are the ones who feed the hungry, bring peace to conflict, who mourn the many ways our world is broken.

God doesn’t help those who help themselves, but God is with those who help others. Being a member of Saint John's means that we are a church equipping ourselves for this saintly work. We worship, praise, study the Bible; bring food and serve meals in Chester each week; visit the homebound and support those who need helping hands. We are people who can do great things especially if we recognize that we are also people of great need.

This Sunday, we kick off our Stewardship Campaign with the theme "Every Perfect Gift." As you think about your commitment to Saint John's I offer you these questions: How has your church community offered you help, or created opportunities for you to offer that kind of service for others? Is there a saint in your story who inspires you to greater service and generosity?

God asks us to do saintly work and participate in these miracles: sometimes by feeding the hungry, sometimes by comforting a friend, and sometimes even by filling out a pledge card.

Blessings,

Rev Jill

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In Case You Missed It:

here is Rev. Jill's sermon from October 18