Reaching Out

Last Sunday as we were driving to church, Loraine asked, “I wonder what those poor people who do not go to church on Sundays do with their time?” While this was probably more of a rhetorical question, since there were no cars or pedestrians anywhere around, it generated some discussion.

I especially appreciated her use of the adjective “poor.” At St. James’ we have a wide range of financial means, and we know that we worship and fellowship and serve in the poorest zip code in the state. At the same time it is easy to recognize that St. James’ has an abundance of wealth – which is our love and spirit in Christ. The buzz and energy last Sunday during and after worship was blatant and rich. Jamesians enjoy being with each other – in worship – in fellowship – in service. God’s love is our affluence and our joy.

We have a focus on serving others by giving. We offer our time, our talents and our financial treasure in our calling to love God. This is wonderful and I encourage all of us to continuously consider how we might do this even better as we reach out to those in need.

Which brings me back to the “poor” people mentioned above – those who are scanty or impoverished in their faith and spirit. How do we reach out to them? The answer is simple to discuss, but maybe not so easily enacted, because the way to reach out to those who are lacking in faith is to share our own joy. Share our own faith. Share our own love of Jesus Christ and each other.

A wonderful way to share these things is by inviting others to join us in worship, fellowship, and service. After all, isn’t that where we experience the delight of God’s love – together? The easy thing about inviting those who may be weak in their faith is that we do not need to recognize who they are. Every person can be further enriched, no matter their current state, by the abundance of Christ’s love that we share.

All we can do is offer to share that love and joy that we have in plenty. When we invite others, they may say no. But they may say yes. They may be searching to fill a void in their lives of which we are unaware.

Let’s take advantage of Christmas, when it is probably easier because of the holiday, to invite others to come share in our love and joy – Who has come to us.

Deacon Terry Garner