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We start this new year with a miracle to celebrate, a milestone to observe, a mission to anticipate and a memory to hold on to. Our miracle to celebrate is the financial standing of our church at the close of 2006. Our milestone to observe is the 98th birthday of Mary Martin. Our mission to anticipate is waiting for us during the week of March 18. Our memory to hold on to is the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
First, our miracle. Dr. Clarence Watson, my first Bible professor at Carson-Newman, used to say that a miracle is anything that strengthens our faith in God. By that definition, the way we finished the year has been a miracle for me for a couple of reasons. First, we met a budget that at the beginning of the year seemed far beyond our means. Second, our income for the year exceeded our expenses, even though there were times during the year when our expenses were well ahead of our income.
The lessons of this miracle are not new for me, yet I seem to need to learn them and re-learn them. Lesson one — the Church belongs to God. Never underestimate what God is able to do through God’s people, the Church. Lesson two — never underestimate what people who love the Lord and the Church are capable of doing. Day by day, God is doing a wonderful work in our midst. Thank you for your part in that work.
Mary Martin will celebrate her 98th birthday on the 16th. Some of you may not know her. But you need to know that she loves you, because she loves her church. For over 50 years, Mary taught our children in Sunday School. She touched so many lives through her ministry as Sunday School teacher. With great love and care, she collected and compiled information that she used to write the History of Ball Camp Church. She is a strong woman of faith. Today we are able to serve the Lord in this place because of her and others like her who have prepared the way for us.
Last year, during spring break, we had two teams go out from our church. One team went to Morocco to do children’s music workshops and the other team went to New Orleans to help with the Hurricane Katrina recovery. This year we will once again be sending a team to Morocco. Alpha Patrick, Katelyn Rochelle, Rachel Sexton, Caitlin Glennen, Gary Rochelle, Brian Johnson and Ron Schumann will comprise the Morocco team this year. Pray for them as they continue their preparations.
We will also send a team to McCreary County, Kentucky. This team will be doing home repair projects and other compassion ministries for those in need. This team needs members. Please pray about your involvement with this team.
We will also be leaving a team here at home during Spring Break week to host our guests from the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Many of you have been blessed by your involvement with this ministry that provides shelter for three to five homeless families during the week. We will need volunteers for this week. Please pray about your availability and your willingness to be involved.
Three teams, one week. Is it more than we can do? Maybe — maybe not. (See lessons learned from our “miracle to celebrate”).
Finally, our memory to hold on to — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. — a memory that some of us might just as soon forget, but a valuable one nonetheless. Dr. King spoke to our nation during turbulent times. Civil rights and the Vietnam War were divisive issues that tore the country apart.
On April 4, 1967, from the pulpit of Riverside Church in New York City, Dr. King spoke these words, “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” All kinds of people have all kinds of opinions as to why our country is in the shape it is in morally and spiritually. Dr. King’s words suggest that our national spending priorities have something to do with our nation’s spiritual health.
Dr. King closed his sermon with these words:
“War is not the answer. We still have a choice today; nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. We must move past indecision to action. We must find new ways to speak for peace and justice throughout the developing world — a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act we shall surely be dragged down the long dark shameful corridors of time, reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight. Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter — but beautiful — struggle for a new world. This is the calling of the sons (and daughters) of God, and our brothers (and sisters) wait eagerly for our response.”
Let us respond faithfully and full to all the ways that God is calling us to be the presence of Christ.
Joy and peace,
Ed
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