“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other, I am God and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46:9
I think if we are of a certain age, most of us can belt out Barbra Streisand’s classic, ‘The Way We Were,’ when we sing in the shower or the car.
“Memories light the corners of my mind. Misty water-colored memories of the way we were. Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind. Smiles we gave to one another. For the way we were.”
Ah, memories. And as we get a little older we keep adding to the treasure trove of memories. Who gave you those special smiles in your memories, and for whom are you the person of someone else’s memory smiles?
As the summer days start to move us forward towards autumn, I find myself focused on two special memories related to church and church life. The Red Bird Mission and Vacation Bible School.
No these two aren’t linked, but what Red Bird and Vacation Bible School produce are incredible church volunteers stepping outside of their comfort zone to care for God’s people. Whether it’s the abject poor in Kentucky or kids form Gloucester County who might never have another opportunity to learn about God and Jesus Christ, we are there for them. Incredible people who don’t necessarily have skills honed in the workplace or by years of study … just people like you and me willing to step up for God.
This year’s Red Bird team has already gone off to the Appalachian Mountains by the time many of you read this, but perhaps you are reading this with enough time to offer your time to volunteer at our Vacation Bible School (July 27 to July 31).
A church cannot function without volunteers … a church cannot make disciples for Jesus Christ without the people of the church’s involvement … a church will die when the majority of the people say, “no, not me.”
We need VBS volunteers to help create memories … we need more people to step up to go to Red Bird next summer or that mission will end … we need everyday church folks like you to step up to volunteer to serve on a church leadership team.
Like most of you, I can remember church volunteers who made the churches I have attended and pastored succeed. People of faith declaring, “Yes, God, Yes God.” Perhaps they remembered the things of old from churches they previously attended and knew it was their turn to help … to step up… to make a difference.
What about you? Is this your time? It doesn’t matter if you are young or old … God needs you to create some faith memories in others.
Pastor Dave