|
Evangelism is a word that you don't hear much in the
Presbyterian Church, but it is a word that will be hearing about
now and in the future. Evangelism is a good word.
Euangellion (Evangelism in English) originally meant a reward
for good news was given to the messenger. It came to mean
simply "good news." The word gospel means good news.
I cannot think of anything in my life that is better than God's
love in Jesus Christ. The splendor of creation and the
beauty of human life are magnificent when they stand all by
themselves, but their beauty when they stand alone is nothing
when you compare it with what they are like when people like you
and me know that they come as gifts from a God, and are signs of
God's great love for us. It would take more space than we
have in this newsletter to tell about what an incredibly
positive difference it makes to know the grace of God in Jesus
Christ and to worship God regularly with a family of people who
feel the same. A prayer in our Book of Common Worship
puts our longing for God's presence and beauty into words:
Eternal God, open
our eyes to see your hand at work in the splendor of creation
and in the beauty of human life. Touched by your hand, our
world is holy. Help us to cherish the gifts that surround
us, to share our blessings with our sisters and brothers, and to
experience the joy of life in your presence; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
On the other hand,
the newspapers are filled, day after day, with stories of
heartache and loss, much of which results when people live life
separated from a supportive, redemptive relationship with God
whose stands like a loving father, waiting for his distant
children to come home. the God whom we worship is worthy of
praise, and praising God brings great joy and strength.
With a joy and treasure beyond what we can imagine in our hearts
and lives, still, Presbyterian Christains are reticent to share
their faith with others. We leave it to others.
In response
David Downton,
Pastor
|