Blessed To Be A Blessing

Ready, Waiting and Welcoming!

What a great time this past Monday, September 25.  Christ Covenant was able to provide a “Welcome Back Continental Breakfast” for the faculty and staff of both Salem Elementary School and Harrison Rd Elementary School on their first day back for the new school year.

We put on a spread for the 160 people in these two schools who work each day with the children near our church building.  I’m thankful to Principles Harold Morton and Deborah Frazier for the opportunity to serve those who serve the kids of our community.  

In particular, it was great to see the committment Mr. Morton and Mrs. Frazier have to their students and their families, to their staff and to our community.  We are blessed to have two leaders with such committment and faith in the positions that they are in.  I got to observe how they set the pace for an entire school.  You can believe I pray for them specifically as I pray for our community.

Christ Covenant has families who send their kids to public schools, private schools and who do home-schooling.  Mary Lynn and I used those three options as well as a charter school to get our three kids ready for college.  How you educate your children is a family decision based on the needs, resources and convictions of the family.

But praying and working for the wholeness of the community where God has placed us is an expression of our faith. 

Even in the hardest of times – the Exile in Babylon – God has called his people to

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. - Jeremiah 29:7

All the people of Egypt lived better lives because Joseph was there on the mission of God – even though it also included betrayal and imprisonment for a season for him personally.  Though estranged from his family, Joseph would be an instrument that meant their survival, the survival of many in Egypt during a famine, and eventually, the arrival of Jesus the Son of God Incarnate and the Savior of the entire world.  (cf Genesis 37-50)

God’s people are called and blessed by Him.  And we are blessed so that we can in turn be a blessing for all people.  (Genesis 12:3)  We’re redeemed and empowered to work for the common good – the Shalom of the City to which we have been called.

I’ve never had to compromise a single conviction – conservative, Reformed and evangelical that I am! – by being kind and encouraging to a person or by making an effort to improve the situation of everyone in my community.

That is the way Grace works.  It changes everything!

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Loading Up To Head To The Schools

Thanks to everyone who donated in some way to make this possible, but especially to Beverley Bouchard and Karen Jordan who were part of the early morning delivery team.  Servants of Christ before 8 am on a Monday morning!

And as I went to post this, I came across an interesting blog that builds on this theme.  Click Here to read The Block Party Church.