The View from the Pulpit:
Dear People of God,
GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU ALL!
“Stewardship Is NOT for ‘Someone Else’”
It grieves me to announce the death of one of our most beloved members: Someone Else. After a long life of dedicated service to the well-being of Resurrection, Someone Else has been called to the final resting place of all the saints. Please take a moment to reflect with me upon the life, work, and ministry of Someone Else.
Else had been with this congregation since its founding over 60 years ago. He’s been the oldest active participate in here for all these years. Someone Else has accounted for major responsibility in the activities of the congregation. Whenever a task had to be done, to whom did we turn? Why, to Someone Else, that’s who! Can we ever forget those immortal words, heartfelt words echoing down the years: “Let Someone Else do it!”
Whenever leadership was needed, whether for a Sunday School teacher, a church officer, or an office for any parish organization, whose name came immediately to mind? Someone Else, of course! And we all looked to Someone Else as the one to take more than a normal person’s share of the job. Someone Else was already to go the second mile, and rarely disappointed us.
Very likely, Someone Else was the very first name you heard mentioned when you first became a member of Resurrection. When the subject was serving the youth or pledging financial support or helping with altar care or keeping the nursery, what was the first thing heard (or perhaps said?)? “Let Someone Else do it!” When we needed teachers for Sunday school or Vacation Bible School, or someone to be responsible for potlucks, or for the Sanctuary Choir or the Songs of Praise Worship Team, or to help with a “Church Work Day,”, the comment was often heard: “Let Someone Else do it!” AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS ALWAYS READY TO COME THROUGH IN THE CLINCH! When the subject was evangelism – calling on inactive or prospective members – or bringing new people into church, what was the first thing you heard? “Let Someone Else do it!”
Interestingly enough, as time went on, Someone Else’s name was no longer mentioned as much. We just assumed that Someone Else would cover, fill the vacancy, or handle the project. AND SOMEONE ELSE NEARLY ALWAYS CAME THROUGH, DOING A SUPER-HUMAN JOB!
But one person can do only so much! Even Someone Else has limits. The added burdens of such responsibility within the congregation was too much for Someone Else’s constitution! Someone died from overwork! We can no longer depend on Someone Else to fill the gap – to attend the Voters Meeting – to work the Fellowship Hour – to help with the Child Development Center and School – to teach the adult classes – to serve as an usher or a counter or an acolyte or a greeter or a lay reader – to help meet the 2017 Budget – to visit and serve and witness and nurture and help with PORT and on and on and on and on . . . . . . . WE CAN NO LONGER DEPEND ON SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK OF THE CHURCH!!
Someone Else is gone! The only person left to take Someone Else’s place is YOU and ME –all of us TOGETHER! As we continue to celebrate the life that is ours in Jesus Christ our Savior, may we join together to do the work of the church as His willing disciples, so that we may be faithful in our calling as Stewards of God! When asked to support Resurrection financially – when asked to help serve – when asked to help in any capacity – when asked to participate – REMEMBER: Someone Else is gone, and it is up to “US” to carry on the mission that Christ gave His church!
It is not too late to turn in a “Time & Talent” Form – just ask an Usher on Sunday for a form, fill it out, and return it to an Usher. Thank you!
Your Fellow Servant, in Christ Jesus Our Lord! Pastor Hank Hollar
