From the Rector: Committing to the Light of Christ
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“You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
No one after lighting a lamp
puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand,
and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way,
let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-18
22 October 2019
Dear Friends of St. Mark’s,
Last week at our Wednesday Bible Study, we discussed the power of sharing our faith stories with others. God is at work within each of us, and we all have a story of faith to share. At first this may sound intimidating, and we may be hesitant to admit that God is working within us, but this is how Christianity works. Through the story of Jesus, each one of us has a new story to share. We are being changed by the love of God. The Light of Christ transforms us.
Over the past month we have been praying about our financial commitment to St. Mark’s for 2020. We have benefitted from the stewardship reflections in the Evangel and the Sunday bulletin, and we have enjoyed one of the two stewardship stories scheduled for this fall. On Sunday, November 17, we will celebrate the parish’s Feast of Dedication by blessing our pledges. Your support of St. Mark’s through your finances is one of the ways that we shine the Light of Christ.
This is where the “rubber hits the road.” When we pledge, we make our commitment real, and we declare that we need the church to support us. From the early disciples of Jesus, to all of us disciples today, faith in Jesus requires belonging to a faith community - belonging to a church - belonging to others who share our stories of faith. The Bible shows us clearly that none of the disciples were lone rangers; they needed each other to be faithful. Thus, the church was born at Pentecost, and it exists to this day as a school to discover how God is at work among us.
Pledge cards have been placed in the back of the church, and they have been mailed to the parish. You may also pledge online through the website. Pledge cards may be placed in the offering at any service. Please make a generous commitment. We all need the church so that we can school ourselves to follow Christ. Thankfully, the rewards for your commitment are pretty amazing. Due to your support of Jesus Christ’s Church, you will be supporting God’s Gospel values of unconditional love, infinite grace, and everlasting salvation. That is an amazing return on your investment in God, and it is 100% guaranteed. Please join us in shining the Light of Christ.
Blessings,
The Rev’d Paul Lillie
Rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Honolulu
Shining our Light - Stewardship 2020
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