“Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” –Luke 10: 36-37
Dear Members and Friends of St. John’s,
Last week, we received a contribution to our “Ketchup” Giving Campaign with this note attached: “Hello – I was in to vote & thought you might be able to use this towards your catch up campaign.” I was blown away by the kindness and generosity of a complete stranger. This person would have been perfectly within her rights and expectations to simply come in and fulfill her civic duty to vote and go about her other business, but she went above and beyond to show that she was paying attention and cared for our needs. In that moment, she became truly a neighbor to us.
In Jesus’ famous parable about being neighbor, such kindness and generosity is at the core of his own definition. Neighbors are not defined by geographic proximity, but by the willingness to give of ourselves for the sake of others. We often think of how the Good Samaritan risked crossing cultural boundaries for the sake of service to the one in need. What is also remarkable is how much financial risk he took to care for the man. He gave the not-so-small amount of 2 denarii (about 2 day’s wages) as down payment for the man’s care and the promise to pay any amount over that. He was willing to give all that he could for the sake of his neighbor, this stranger.
There are many opportunities this summer for you to give financially to the good ministry of St. John’s and beyond. Our summer offering is collected weekly and benefits children’s ministry (St. Afterschool, VBS, Glade Run). Our “Ketchup” Giving Campaign makes sure we pay down our past deficit so we are best prepared for the future. The “Rise Against Hunger” event in early September will happen once again, with financial gifts benefitting that important program. And, as always, the normal work and generosity of the congregation continues, and monetary gifts are always welcome to aid in that work.
I pray that like that stranger who came through our doors and answered our need with her generosity, you also prayerfully consider how you might be called to give. It might not be with money; you might be called to be a neighbor to this community by giving your time or other talents. And when we give of ourselves as much as we can, we can be confident into being the neighbors that Jesus calls us all to be. In Christ’s Peace, Pastor Erin
