the Tidings Tending the Tree Inside this issue: Adult Education . . . . . . . 15 Annual Conference . . . 8-9 Care Ministries . . . . . .10-11 Children’s Ministry . . 20-21 Churchwide . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 Elder Care . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Generosity . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 GUWF . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Membership . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Message from Pastors Tim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mimi . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Missions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Older Adults. . . . . . . .12-13 OLEC . . . . . . . . . . . . 25-27 Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-23
Matthew 3:8-10 says: “ 8(John said) produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” This month, we celebrate America’s Independence. Perhaps Tim Carpenter it is an appropriate time to consider the words John said to Senior Pastor the leaders and people of his nation. In the Spirit, we might ask if the Lord would want our nation to heed any wisdom or warning from those words. John said that the judgment of God was like an ax preparing to chop the root of an unproductive tree. That statement is both good news and bad news. The bad news is that which is cut will be painful and bring an end to the unproductive. The good news is that, when a tree is cut at the root, oftentimes new life shoots forth from the root of what once was. God placed humanity on the earth with a purpose, to tend to this world, to be fruitful in our lives, and to make a difference for righteousness. And work still has to be done in our day. Our duty is to tend what has been given to us. Has not liberty, religious freedom, and great prosperity been ours through the selfless acts of others and by the providence of our God? With that, do we not bear a great responsibility to tend what others have planted and nurtured? God forbid we enjoy the fruits of liberty without responsibly tending the tree for others. As the Proverb reminds us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34 Our generation will be asked, “What have we done to tend the tree?” Are we giving of ourselves to ensure that the tree of liberty will be there for our grandchildren? Are we living out of our faith? Are we active in the community? Are we teaching our children faith in God and love of neighbor? Are we looking after the interests of the poor? Are we living holy lives? Are we attending on the ordinances of God? Galatians 5:22-23 tells us: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” According to John, having Abraham as their father did not excuse Israel. Therefore, we are certainly without excuse if we are not faithful in tending the tree God has given us to tend. Pope St. John Paul II, addressing Americans during his visit to Baltimore in 1995, said “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.” John spoke to Israel, and his voice echoes through the times. Today, we hear him reminding us that bearing fruit counts, and privilege does not count. So, be prepared for the Lord to come. And let all of us bear fruit as worthy of repentance, faithfully tending the tree, so that we may never hear that it’s time to cut it down.