Recently I overheard the
following conversation. John had gone by Sam’s place to get a battery for his watch.
John: Hey Sam, I need to get a new battery for this watch. It seems to be running a little slow. Of course, it’s been two years since I got the last battery put in it.
Sam: Sure, let me look at it to be sure that is all it needs. (Sam takes the watch to the back
of the shop, checks it out, puts in a new battery and returns it to John). Here is your watch. You were right, all it needed
was a new battery. That will be $5.
John: (John gives him a $5 bill.) Sam, talking about money, I got a note this past week from the church saying
that it was time for Stewardship season again. It seems that we all the time are needing to give to this or that special offering
at the church, and then of course every fall they ask us to pledge to the budget.
Sam: Yea, I know. Of course, the preacher was telling several of us at a meeting last week that we are not pledging
to the budget at all.
John: What did he mean? It’s stewardship season. We have to know what the church needs
financially to get by this next year—and I want to be sure to pay my membership dues.
Sam: Well, the preacher was saying that
a budget is simply a dream—a dream of where we feel God is leading us—leading us in our fulfilling of our calling
as Christ’s disciples in the coming year. Using a budget, dollars and cents you know, that is one way of saying what
we are going to do in our witness to Jesus next year.
John: Really, so it is not about the budget? It is really about fulfilling
our discipleship—following Jesus, witnessing to him, and doing his work in the world this coming year.
Sam: That’s right. Of course, that
involves money—everybody knows that! We have to heat the church in the
winter; cool it in the summer; have electricity; have Sunday school curriculum; help care of those in need in our community;
have a staff to keep things organized; bulletins and newsletters; continue our witness through presbytery, synod and the General
Assembly’s mission outreach; and of course we need preachers who lead us in worship and visit the sick.
John: Yea, and our commitment to Christ involves
not only money, but also getting involved as a Sunday school teacher, helping serve the university students’ supper
on Thursday nights, being a Lay Reader at worship, singing in the choir, serving on a committee, serving food at Carpenter’s
Corner every month, and of course being at worship.
Sam: It sure does. What was that catchy phrase that the preacher used last year—“time, talents, and treasures”—that’s
it. Following Jesus involves our whole lives—every bit of our lives.
John: I will have to remember what you said
when Mary and I make our pledge for this coming year. Hey, I’ve got to run—got to get my car to the shop to get
the oil changed.
Sam: See you at church on Sunday.
John: See you there! And, thanks for fixing my watch.
Dr. William dePrater
UPCOMING SERVICES
August 29
: “Table Manners and Guest List” Dr. William A. dePrater
September 5: "We
Are the Clay" Rev. Janice M. Tiedeck
September 12:
“Lost and Found” Dr. William A. dePrater
SUGGESTED READINGS
August 29: Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1,
7-14
September 5: Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Philemon 1-21; Luke 14:25-33
September 12: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10
