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| September - October 2009 | Volume 58, Issue 5 |
- Fighting Hunger
- Caring and Sharing News & Opportunities
- Pastor's Desk: This Is The Day
- Adult Education Opportunities
- Rummage Sale
- Biking On
- Summer Scenes
- Thank You Corner
- Sponsors & Helpers
- Ladies' Circle
- OYEA!
Fighting Hunger
I don’t have to tell you that the economy is not in particularly good shape right now. Unfortunately, that means that the problems of those in need of assistance are often pushed to the side. How can we afford to be generous when we don’t really know what the future holds for us?
Truth be told, the concerns we might all have are real and ought not to be ignored. However, whenever I find myself worrying over things, I often recall Jesus words:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:25-33 (NRSV)
I write this to you out of concern for those who are desperate for food in our world, in our nation and in our neighborhood. One of the great traditions of Olivet has been its annual participation in the CROP Walk. This year is the 25th CROP Walk to be held in Easton and this year, I believe the need is very great.
I am encouraging you to take part in the walk. It takes place entirely in downtown Easton (no hills and only about three miles). If you walk quickly you can probably be home in a little over an hour (walk begins at 1:30 at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Ferry St. in downtown Easton). If you are unable to walk, then make it a point to find someone who is and sponsor them. This year we are going to make it really easy. There will be special envelopes in your bulletin on October 11 (Gee, did I mention the walk is on October 11?). You can place your donation towards the walk in that envelope – we’ll distribute the funds to walkers – or if you prefer find one of our hearty walkers and sponsor them yourself or sponsor yourself.
However you can help, please do so. Checks can be made out to CWS/CROP. Note that 25% of the money we raise goes to help the hungry in our community. Don’t let this walk pass by without your participation. Truly, you will make a difference.
Pastor Bob
