Our theme for stewardship this year is “from Generation to Generation” drawing on third chapter of Ephesians, “Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. (Ephesians 3:20-21).
We have emphasized that God works in a generational way to build up his beloved church. Thomas Coleman spoke to it on our first Sunday, himself of a product of generational molding for discipleship that comes from our own parents and our spiritual parents in the church. Ashley Jaillette offered a testimony about her work with the Little Lambs class, how her own spiritual nurture in the Baptist church in Seneca is enriching young lives in Christ now. We thought about Sarah and Edmund Heyward, founders of our church with a handful of others, who have grandsons and great grandsons still serving, worshiping, and learning among us.The Feast of Lights was featured last week, an enduring tradition here for more than 60 year, which can imprint the salvation story on its actors in each generation.
The church thus has its role in generating the next generation through a faithful, lively ministry. That is what we celebrated and amplified this season; the core of our work is sharing Gospel from faith from generation to generation. We believe God will do it, will accomplish his redeeming purposes, even if a generation or 100 generations are faithless. But our generation has a wonderful opportunity to be faithful, to be part of inviting, equipping, and empowering the next generation of Christian disciples and believers. God can use this generation to gather the next to himself. We must believe that is God’s plan. Sunday is the day to make your decision to do that, if you haven’t already. Bring your pledge card to church and join us for a celebratory brunch in the gym. All living generations will be present, and we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from the past. Join us for worship and table fellowship on Sunday and in this effort, for the generations to come.
Learn more about other important updates in the latest church newsletter: The Epistle – November 7, 2024