Feed My Sheep
We have just completed the Building for The Ages Campaign and the renovation and construction that was planned. We have also consecrated and prayed for these facilities.
On Dec. 6, 1973, the Rev. Dr. Tom Bagby preached on the Sunday before the consecration of the then "New Church," and used the event of the Risen Lord having breakfast with Peter and the other disciples after they had been out fishing all night. (John 21:14-17) Jesus, the Good Shepherd, asked Peter if he loved Him. Peter's answer was yes. Then feed My lambs, Jesus said. Jesus asked him twice more if he loved him, and the answer each time was yes. Then tend My sheep and, again, feed My sheep, Jesus said. It appears that Peter was to prove his love of Christ by loving and serving others.
To quote Dr. Bagby, " Jesus, the Good Shepherd, said ‘Feed My sheep.’ Neither the size of our membership nor the magnificence of our buildings is the foremost factor concerning this flock of Christ’s. Our primary task is to feed the sheep. This is what we are commissioned to do. It is a task no other organization is discharging or can discharge. This Church is concerned with each sheep and its needs. This Church is in the business of making character. It preaches and practices a Gospel of moral and spiritual regeneration, reformation, reclamation, rehabilitation and redemption. Whatever it takes to do this for one sheep, we have the resources to do it."
The Rev. Bagby charged St. Martin's then, in 1973 and in the future, to be about ministering to our Lord’s sheep: the members of our Church, those who will join us in the future and folks in the community.
We have recently completed a capital improvement project providing additional space for worship, education, pastoral care, music, mission and outreach for now and years to come.
Our Rector, the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., reminds us that we are to help people know of the love that Jesus has for each of us, and to make and grow disciples for our Lord and the ministry He has for us to do.
Tom Bagby started a wonderful ministry with a small group of dedicated members in 1952, and we have the privilege and charge of keeping it going into the future, looking after one sheep at a time!
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, help us to nurture and feed spiritually all who would come to this Church home seeking to find love, acceptance, forgiveness, and to meet you our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
