A few Octobers ago, I spent an entire Friday and Saturday raking leaves in our yard. I don’t remember the exact number of bags that I raked over the course of those two days, but by the end, the yard was clear and there were easily 30-40 bags of leaves out at the curb on our street. My shoulders ached from raking, and there were still plenty of leaves that had not yet fallen from the trees, but I felt really good about all that I had accomplished.
The next day was a clear and cold Sunday, and when I arose to go to church, there was my clean yard and all the bags lined up at the street. Something happened while I was at church, though….Any remaining leaves that had been hanging on the tree branches fell—ALL of them. When I got back home after church, the entire yard was blanketed with leaves, again. Even more leaves than before! It was as if I had accomplished nothing at all. I had to laugh to keep from crying. . .
Maybe you can relate. . .
Sometimes, it seems like the work is never done. And yet, in the midst of the work, there is much to celebrate.
Last Sunday, a large group of us gathered together to talk about the ways that Bedford Presbyterian Church continues to rise to the challenge of the task that Jesus has set before us: How do we lovingly care for “the least of these,” as Jesus describes them in Matthew, Chapter 25? In our ministry to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, those without shelter, the sick, and the prisoner, there is so much to be done and the work never seems to be done. And yet, there is much to celebrate:
- BPC hosts the Bedford Community Food Pantry—serving upwards of 50 neighbors a week.
- Our Deacons are currently preparing to offer over 100 Thanksgiving Gift Cards to our neighbors.
- BPC serves a meal at Families in Transition every few months.
- Our Neighborhood Support Team continues to care for the Safi family from Afghanistan—seeing to daily and weekly needs of childcare, healthcare, employment, and housing.
- We welcome our neighbors into our church building—our monthly Ageless Wonders ministry to older adults, and weekly Weight Watchers gatherings that care for the health and well-being of our neighbors. . . just to name two of the many groups that use our building.
- We regularly welcome guests in worship (many of whom find a church home, here!)
- We regularly send groups to do both simple and complex home repairs—locally, regionally (through Mission at the Eastward in Maine), and beyond (in Puerto Rico).
- We regularly assist our neighbors in need with utility costs and groceries.
- We regularly check on people who are sick, praying for them, offering meals and other forms of care.
- We have assisted, in the past, with ministry at the Women’s Prison and are a strong supporter of Pastoral Counseling Services, helping people who are battling addiction.
These are all things that we do on a regular basis. Or, rather, these are all things that God does through us—all these things and so much more—through the generosity of time, talent, and treasure that you offer as a grateful response to God’s grace here at BPC.
There is so much to celebrate and yet, there is still so much to be done.
At our next Matthew 25 Forum (on Sunday, November 10), we will be zeroing in on an amazing opportunity to help our neighbors with affordable housing and providing resources for you to get involved.
In this season of Stewardship, this season of Grace and Gratitude—I am so grateful for the grace of God and the ways that God’s grace—through all of you—is being shared.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “Immediate Gratitude – Grace and Gratitude, Week 3”
- Read Psalm 126
- Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
- Read Mark 10:46-52
- Read or Sing Hymn # 275 – “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”