Week of Thursday, August 28, 2003
• MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
• BRIEFS
Harvesting the fruits
of the ministry
By REV. PETER HARRIS
Stony Creek United Methodist
Church
One of the very best things about the summer months is the
delicious foods we get to eat!
I have been "hankering" (this is a technical term meaning
extreme desire) for some Michigan sweet corn, watermelon and blueberries.
These are three of my favorites, but I could also add to the list,
strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and just about anything else that grows
in the garden.
What with modern grocery stores we are able to get almost
any kind of fruit or vegetable all year long. But there is something about
the vegetables and fruits that come from your garden or the local
orchard…they taste just a little bit sweeter and are more satisfying.
In order to have sweet corn in July, you have to plant early
in the spring. If you want strawberries this year, you would have had to set
your plants last year. All gardeners know that for good results you have to
plan the work; working the ground, providing good nutrients, and longing for
rain at the right time, or spending the time and energy to water.
I recently came across the following little article: "The
person who looks for quick results in seed planting will be disappointed if
I want potatoes for inner tomorrow, it will do me little good to go out and
plant potatoes in my garden tonight. There are long stretches of darkness
and invisibility and silence that separate planting and reaping. During the
stretches of waiting, there is cultivating and weeding and nurturing and
planting still other seeds."
Last year our church hoped to "harvest" a ministry in at
least two new areas: ministry to the deaf and disciple Bible study.
For several weeks a small group of people learned a second
language, American Sign Language. As a group, we were challenged, frustrated
and overwhelmed by our attempts to learn another language. We were reminded
by our excellent teachers that it would take time, patience and perseverance
to learn ASL. Our learning would accelerate when the first deaf person came
to church and we begin to converse in their language.
Last July two members of the church and myself went to a
training event to learn about Disciple, a Bible study program to help
Christians become stronger disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ministry doesn’t begin overnight anymore than harvesting
fruit begins the day after you plant the seed. It takes time, preparation,
patience and perseverance.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor Randy Johnson will be
preaching at the 9:30 a.m. Aug 31 worship service at The First Baptist
Church, 1110 W. Cross, with a Sunday school for all ages held at 11 a.m.
The chancel choir rehearses at 7 p.m. Sept. 3. The men’s Bible study will
meet at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 6. For more information, call 482-7380.
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
First United Methodist Church,
209 Washtenaw, will meet for worship at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 31 with Jeanette
Bartz preaching leading the service with Immigrant Worker Issues. For more
information, call 482-8374.
STONY CREEK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Stony Creek United Methodist
Church, 8635 Stony Creek, will be
holding a chicken dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at the church, which is
accessible to all. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 10 and
under 6 years old is free. Delivery within five miles to the church will be
made to shut-ins. Orders must be called in by 4:30 p.m. to 482-0240. |
