One Week

[November 17, 2010]   --One week doesn't seem like a very big deal. After all, one week is followed by another, and another, and another. It takes four or five to make a month; fifty two to make a year. One week; what can really happen in one week? Well, let me tell you about one week. On Sunday, October 17, many of you gathered for worship in our sanctuary. You sang hymns, offered prayers, gave of your money, and heard the Word of God proclaimed. At this same time, nine of your brothers and sisters were huddled together in Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, where we prayed for one another before heading to worship at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church. On the way back to the church, one of our number said, "I feel like I've already worshipped." Indeed. Later that day, this same group of nine would head to the Campus Kitchens at St. Louis University, where we would prepare an evening meal to be delivered to some of St. Louis' poor, that they might have a fresh meal on their Sunday evening.

On Tuesday, the Christian Education was converted into a mobile health center. The doors were unlocked, and the family, friends and acquaintances of Joyce Kinzie poured into the room. For six hours (it was supposed to last five), the people of Lincoln waited patiently to give blood in what seems to have been the most successful blood drive in Lincoln history. By the time it was done, 94 people had given blood. The deacons had doled out hundreds of cookies, cups of orange juice, and Vintage Fare sandwiches, and soon someone else's Joyce will have our blood nourishing her body as she fights a terrible illness.

On Wednesday, this same space that, just the day before, looked like a field hospital, will host people as they come together in fellowship over the dinner table, worship of God, and study of the Gospel of Luke. Children will run in from school, anxious to sing and play. Their parents will carry their Bibles into my study to spend a few quieter minutes with the story of Jesus. More will come and settle in the sanctuary for worship and communion. By the time the evening ends, around eight o'clock, people will have been nourished in every way possible.

Over the duration of the week, the deacons will send out cards, the sick will be viisited, dozens and dozens of prayers will be offered, people will gather to disucss the budget and the coming stewardship campaign, and the final preparations for Sunday worship will be completed. Then Sunday will come, and we will all gather again to worship Christ together.

 

This is but one week. One week of work, prayer, and worship. One week of singing, compassion and service. In one week this congregation has ministered to those in need, worshipped, studied, prayed and sung our faith, and continued the work of the Church of Jesus. And, lest we forget ourselves, we have done all this, all this work, solely because we have been called to serve Jesus Christ. All these things testify to the truth that the Christian faith is an active, vibrant, life-changing gift. One week. All of this happened in one week. So what do you want to do next week?

[text from file received by Phil Blackburn, First Presbyterian Church]