There’s an old classic preacher’s story that goes something
like this: A new pastor was visiting one
of his members, who had a reputation for maintaining a beautiful garden. The reputation, it turned out, was entirely
deserved. The gardener proudly showed
the pastor around showcasing the flowers and vegetables that sprang from the
ground.
Finally the pastor remarked:
“God has truly blessed you with a beautiful and productive garden.” The gardener nodded, and then added, “But you
should have seen the place when God took care of it by himself!”
Gardening is one of the most ancient activities. When God created the world in Genesis, he
started by planting a garden. And then
God created people to be the gardeners of this garden. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the
garden of Eden to till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15
NRSV). Gardening is also the image the
Apostle Paul draws on when he describes his ministry. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NRSV). It
seems that God didn’t create gardens so they could tend themselves. He created us to tend gardens for him.
We till. We
plant. We water. But God gives the growth.
If you have a garden, good for you! If you don’t have a garden I’m here to remind
you that you really do. Our neighborhood
and world is a garden that you’ve been created by God to cultivate. And for me, and many of you reading this, Maple
Avenue United Methodist
Church is the specifically local
community garden we’re called to tend.
This is both a blessing and a challenge. Our congregation is a garden unlike any other. We have a ministry that is unlike any other
ministry in town. We have a family of
faith unlike any other membership roll in town.
And we have the potential to make a significant and positive difference
in the 12 Points Neighborhood, and the world – a potential that only we can
fulfill. Just as God calls each
individual to a unique ministry, Maple
Avenue United Methodist
Church has its own special calling
to serve God’s Kingdom in ways we are specifically qualified to do. Maple Avenue is a beautiful and unusual
garden, and you’re significant part of it.
Since May is the month many people start focusing on their
gardens, let’s focus on this one. We
have a free community meal coming up on Wednesday, May 15th, from 5-7 p.m.
The whole point of this gathering is for people of the congregation and
people of the neighborhood to meet each other and make new friends. Be part of this event. And on Sunday, May 19th, we will
have a pot-luck dinner immediately after our second service (11:30 a.m.).
Bring a dish to share (it could be your favorite recipe, or simply a bag
of potato chips) and enjoy the food and fellowship.
Invite your friends and neighbors to join you for worship. At all of our events make visitors and guests
feel welcome. And lift up our
congregation daily in prayer. It’s the
right time of year for gardeners to spring into action, so let’s cultivate our
garden together.
In Christ;
David
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