She sat in the overstuffed chair in the corner of my office – a relatively new member of St. Paul’s. She’s been going through some difficult times as the divorce from her husband of 30-some years proceeds along its slow course. “I’m a simple person,” she said. She values simplicity and the simple things of life. “God has given me simple signs – gifts – to show me He’s with me and to give me strength when I get discouraged.”
She proceeded to show me the gifts and signs of God’s support: a little silver angel lying in her driveway with faith printed on the back, and several other concrete objects that she came across or has been given. They all boiled down to simple gifts that showed her God was with her and that He cared.
There’s an old Shaker song* which came to mind while she spoke. I bet you’ve heard it. It begins: “’Tis the gift to be simple; ‘Tis the gift to be free; ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be.’” The Shakers were keenly aware of all the gifts they enjoyed. Maybe it was because they were devoted to simplicity of life and to serving God the way they did that they were able to see so clearly the gifts they’d received. Like my friend who found the silver angel medallion, they looked for God’s gifts everywhere.
This year we’re emphasizing gifts at St. Paul’s. The Pledge Team has been led to call this year a Year of Gifts. We want to encourage everyone in the parish to cultivate a habit, that’s right, a habit – a habit of looking for the gifts all around us that make up our lives. When we look for the gifts we have and study them, several things happen. We cherish them more. Our lives become more enjoyable. We become more grateful people. Our lives feel more full. And we’re better able to serve God and to share with others out of that fullness.
Just think about the gifts we’ve been given:- The beauties of nature all around us, and the eyes to see them.
- The sound of music, the voices of loved ones, the songs of birds, the laughter of children, and the ears to hear them.
- Food to eat, and the good taste to enjoy it.
- The aroma of flowers, sea air, and autumn leaves, and the ability to smell them.
- The feel of warmth and invigorating chill in the air, and the sense of touch.
- Companionship we share with our families, friends, neighbors and loved ones, and emotions to share with them.
- Minds to remember and think and solve problems and learn and pray.
- The bodies we have and health to use them for ourselves and others.
- Sufficient resources to meet our needs and beyond that to serve God and others.
- The knowledge we’ve gained and opportunities to use it for God and others.
- The skills we’ve developed and occasions to offer them to others for God.
- The abilities and aptitudes we’ve accumulated and ways to serve.
- The money we have and ways to give it to serve God and those in need.
- Freedom in a nation that allows us to think and act in our own good conscience.
- God’s unconditional love for us and His constant presence in our lives.
- Our Lord Jesus Christ’s understanding of us – forgiveness and redemption.
- The Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, strengthen and encourage us.
- St. Paul’s Church to provide us with opportunities for worship, music, education, pastoral care, community, fellowship, service, mutual support and celebration.
- Life and love and grace and humor and reasons for happiness and joy.
These are just a few of the gifts that God has given us. Enjoy them! Use them! Honor God in how you use them. Serve others with them in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If you haven’t already, you’ll soon receive a pledge packet in the mail. In it you’ll find a letter explaining this year’s theme, a pie chart explaining how your pledges will be used, a pledge form for your financial support of the church and its ministries, a time and talent form for how you’d like to offer your time and abilities in the service of God, and a pumpkin seed as a reminder of God’s gifts and that they’re meant to be used to give more back to God and in service of others. We’ll offer several small gifts to parishioners this year, beyond the pumpkin seed. One Sunday we’ll offer other seeds – to plant or feed to other creatures. This is intended to remind us that our gifts are meant to be used for God’s purposes beyond ourselves. One Sunday we’ll offer balloons to remind us that our gifts are intended to be offered up to God and to aim high. One Sunday we’ll offer stickers to remind us that we are a community and that we stick together.
Pledge Days will be spread over two weeks this year. They’ll be November 8, 9, 15 and 16. Please bring your pledge forms to the church on those days to offer them up to God, or send them to the church as soon as you are able. Remember the gifts that you have from God. Pray for God’s Spirit to enable you to be generous in sharing them. And offer your gifts with thankful hearts.
Affectionately in Christ,
Phil +
* Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848 full lyrics here
Background from American Music Preservation here