“Stewarding Faith: Reflections on the Communion of Saints, Civic Duty, Thanksgiving and Advent”
By Rev. Dr. Carla A. Romarate-Knipel
“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”
– Psalm 107:1, NRSV
“… Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
– Matthew 25:21, NIV
What do All Saints Day (Nov. 2), Election Day (Nov. 4), Thanksgiving (Nov. 27), and the First Sunday of Advent (Nov. 30) have in common? May I suggest that the one thing all these important dates have in common is that each involves a GIFT (Grace) and what one does with the gift (Stewardship).
For those who celebrate All Saints Day, there is the gift of remembering and honoring Christ and the saints (living on earth and those in heaven) and following their examples of faithful discipleship and stewardship. This year, we at CBC, are “stewarding our faith” by doing intentional work first by the future ministry task force, then a presentation of their report and discussion with the church council, to be followed with engaging the whole congregation in listening to God and each other in the coming months for the purpose of discerning God’s direction for the future ministry of our church. As Larry Grant mentioned in his Oct. 12 sermon on Men’s Sunday, “We’ve seen what Jesus can do, we know things are happening on God’s time: Jeanette’s Closet, the Toy Drive, a Spanish-speaking ministry is slowly coming together, we have a college ministry evolving.” God is working and our faith is being tested. Our faith muscles stretched.
On Election Day, there is the gift of freedom to exercise one’s right to vote according to one’s conscience and the guidance of God’s Spirit. As Baptist Christians we believe in the separation of church and state. However, this does not mean isolation of the church from the state or society. Because of the gift of freedom, our conscience and the Holy Spirit, we can steward our faith by voting for those who offer servant-leadership, integrity and courage to defend the rights of everyone, as well as protect the most vulnerable among us. These are values that the Bible and especially Jesus, our Lord and Savior, commanded us to live by.
Thanksgiving Day is an American holiday commemorating the coming of the English pilgrims to America and the gifts of new beginnings, religious freedom, and the hospitality of the Native Americans. Although this holiday has its challenges from a historical standpoint, depending on which group you belong to – the current celebration includes not only family Thanksgiving dinners but expressing one’s gratitude to God by sharing material blessings with strangers and those in need in our community.
The Season of Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 30. It marks the beginning of a new church year as well as the gift memory that calls for a celebration of the fulfillment of God’s promise of a Messiah. It is also a season of preparation, of stepping back and taking time to pray, reflect and give thanks to the Lord to commemorate the firs advent of the greatest gift of all: Jesus; as well as the final advent, when Jesus returns to complete the work that he started when he first came as a human over 2000 years ago.
As a church family we thank God that through these holidays and civic duty event in our community and nation, we are given by God the opportunity not only this November but every day of our lives to steward our faith with joy and commitment. God has blessed us with the gift of life; of salvation thru faith in Jesus Christ; the gifts of talents, material resources and time. With gratitude we respond to God’s generosity by giving to the ministry of the church and the work of God’s kingdom.
Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, author of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, has these thoughts for us to consider: “Stewardship poses hard questions about the unique intentions of our hearts. The questions are always aimed at us personally, and we cannot read the heart of another. So let us refrain from judging others’ choices and attend to God’s question, ‘Are you doing all I would have you do with what I have given you?”
May our gracious and loving God guide and direct us in all our giving and receiving not only this November but in the years to come, and may we be found faithful until our Master returns and rejoices in us and with us!
Have a Blessed All Saints’ Day, Remember to Vote, Happy Thanksgiving, and a Meaningful Advent Season! Thanks be to God for all These Gifts!
Yours and Christ’s,
Pastor Carla
