In Bible study (which we’ve recently moved to noon on Tuesdays) we’re studying the Book of Genesis. We came across and interesting problem: God creates humanity and tells them to be “stewards” of creation—in other words, to take care of the world God has created. Yet after human beings fall from grace, work “by the sweat of the brow” is a curse that’s the result of human failure to obey God. How is “work” different from the “stewardship” that humans were created for? My guess is that work is something we have to do; stewardship is something we want to do. As Robert Frost wrote in his poem “Two Tramps,”
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes.
The Advent Season here at St. Stephen was a perfect illustration of stewardship “Where love and need are one.”
A crew of the faithful came early in Advent, as they do every year, unannounced and uncelebrated, to decorate the sanctuary with greenery and with Christmons decorations.
Our annual children’s-oriented Advent festival of activities was entirely managed by faithful volunteers who cooked the brisket, fed the masses, bandaged the boo-boos and personned the craft tables.
Several individual choir members went above and beyond the call of duty leading our Advent carol sing (who can forget Tommy Wadley channeling Bing Crosby?) and, on Christmas Eve, leading the singing at our first noontime Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols.
And then there was “Southwestern Christmas on the Hill,” where dozens of volunteers turned out to make a memorable event for about 400 guests who did crafts and activities, saw “A Cowboy Christmas” play, and ate chuck wagon food.
Throughout, St. Stephen folks reached out to others. Room in the Inn volunteers fed and socialized with our homeless brothers and sisters. We partnered with our Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services staffer, Becky Evans in a couple of key ways. The youth “adopted” three local families she works with, provided them with presents, and then visited at each of their homes to deliver them. They brought guitars and sang carols.
Not only that, but PCHAS decided to link their annual Christmas party for the families they serve with “Christmas on the Hill.” As a result, nearly 100 folks from needy families attended the event.
The volunteers who made these things happen worked hard, and they did good works. But they did it out of love, not out of obligation. They did it with joyful hearts, not dragging feet. This is the stewardship to which God has called us from the beginning—“work [that] is play/for mortal stakes.” St. Stephen volunteers cultivated souls, and in doing so their own souls shone forth.
Blessings to you all in the new year.
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes.
The Advent Season here at St. Stephen was a perfect illustration of stewardship “Where love and need are one.”
A crew of the faithful came early in Advent, as they do every year, unannounced and uncelebrated, to decorate the sanctuary with greenery and with Christmons decorations.
Our annual children’s-oriented Advent festival of activities was entirely managed by faithful volunteers who cooked the brisket, fed the masses, bandaged the boo-boos and personned the craft tables.
Several individual choir members went above and beyond the call of duty leading our Advent carol sing (who can forget Tommy Wadley channeling Bing Crosby?) and, on Christmas Eve, leading the singing at our first noontime Christmas Eve Service of Lessons and Carols.
And then there was “Southwestern Christmas on the Hill,” where dozens of volunteers turned out to make a memorable event for about 400 guests who did crafts and activities, saw “A Cowboy Christmas” play, and ate chuck wagon food.
Throughout, St. Stephen folks reached out to others. Room in the Inn volunteers fed and socialized with our homeless brothers and sisters. We partnered with our Presbyterian Children’s Homes & Services staffer, Becky Evans in a couple of key ways. The youth “adopted” three local families she works with, provided them with presents, and then visited at each of their homes to deliver them. They brought guitars and sang carols.
Not only that, but PCHAS decided to link their annual Christmas party for the families they serve with “Christmas on the Hill.” As a result, nearly 100 folks from needy families attended the event.
The volunteers who made these things happen worked hard, and they did good works. But they did it out of love, not out of obligation. They did it with joyful hearts, not dragging feet. This is the stewardship to which God has called us from the beginning—“work [that] is play/for mortal stakes.” St. Stephen volunteers cultivated souls, and in doing so their own souls shone forth.
Blessings to you all in the new year.
Amen! and you wonder why I like to hang out there? St. Stephen is a wonderful congregation that is full of the love and spirit of God.
ReplyDeletewe love having you, Sharon... You bless us as much as we do you...at least as much if not more!
ReplyDelete