 |
|
9:30 a.m.
Sunday School
Noon
Fellowship time.
|
|
|
The month of October begins with a couple of lovely celebrations in the Christian Church. October 4th is designated as the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, that timelessly inspiring Christian. On the first Sunday in October we observe "World Communion Sunday." Both of these occasions offer us both uplift and challenge.
The story of Francis is unfailingly compelling. The fact that he was born to material wealth, but spurned it for the riches of following Christ, while, really, a trivial footnote to his life, is a powerful witness to us in a time of financial anxiety. Indeed, it may have been his awareness of the anxiety that accompanies trust in material wealth that enabled him to choose as he did. Certainly, no one can think of Francis of Assisi as being poor.
What is so remarkable is what was accomplished in this one, faithful, life. Francis really did effect change in the church and in his world. These changes, at the time, may have seemed like small ripples on water but they did cause a sea-change. From him, probably more than any one other person, derives what is best in medical care today. It was his embrace, literally and figuratively, of the sick and dying that, in time, gave rise to the medical care we can experience today; some eight centuries later. Francis' ministry of caring arose from his being challenged by Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan. That so small a person - he was, physically, a tiny man - could become such an immense and enduring presence is a powerful witness to the grace of God. Francis experienced and shared this grace every day of his life. It is appropriate that we honor his life in the Church.
On World Communion Sunday we celebrate the expansive embrace of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We may well wonder whether that small group, perhaps a dozen, that Jesus charged going into all the world and proclaiming the good news, making disciples and baptizing, could have envisioned what we celebrate on World Communion Sunday, in 2008. How that small group accomplished what they did is beyond mere human ability. It is a witness to the grace and power of God at work in the lives of the first Christians.
In our present world, it is very clear that we are living amid a revolution. The world is changing before our eyes. It now seems clear that historians will come to view the beginning of the twenty-first century as a time of significant historical change. One question that remains to be answered is: "What forces will shape the new world order that is a-borning?" This is our challenge. How can we as followers of Jesus shape this time of change for good.
When we feel powerless before the great changes that are occurring we must recall our great Christian heritage. People like the first disciples of our Lord and Francis of Assisi, though they did not set out to do so, changed the world. Our faithful living, enabled and amplified by the grace of God, can change the world. never doubt this.
Faithfully,
Brian Dixon
|
|
Community News/
Upcoming Activities
|
|
You are most most welcome
to any of the ministries of this church. There are no strangers
here; only friends you have yet to meet.
Please note we have added audio files with recent sermons to this site. These files may be accessed on the Prayer, Sermons, Music page: scroll down that page and click on the link for a particular sermon.
Special activities for October, 2oo8 include the following.
Saturday, October 4, 6:00 p.m.. Church Supper. A German Dinner
Sunday, October 5, will feature Holy Communion.
Mondays, October 6, 20, 27 at 10:0 a.m. Bible Study
Sunday, October 19, Missionary speakers Bucky and Carole Sydnor, Missionaries to Nepal.
Sunday, October 26, Laity Day Celebration.
For upcoming scripture readings and sermon themes, click on Christian Education page link and scroll down.
|
 |
|
|
|
Need
inspiration NOW?
|
 |
|
Our
church doors are open 24/7 at FirstBaptistMeford.com:
Sermons
• Prayers
• Music
|
|
|
