Reflections on "Included and Involved" Matthew 25: 31-46

The third sermon in the stewardship series.  I felt like I got lost in all the ideas I had for the sermon and never found my focus.  

 “Included and Involved” Stewardship series; October 25, 2020, SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; Matthew 25: 31-46

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,[g] you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Introduction: Continue reflecting on stewardship in a time of pandemic.

Another week with a video.  members describing how they feel included and how they get involved here at St. Andrew, and then reflecting on how St. Andrew includes others and has tried to be involved in our community and world during this time of pandemic.

Recognize in that movement the pattern for stewardship.  Giving coming in response to God’s blessings; giving going out in our call to follow Christ.

Move 1: Stewardship as a way for us to be involved and included in the life of this community of faith.

a.  We ask all members to join us in our stewardship campaign.

1.  We do not focus on certain people or groups who we think might be big givers and ignore others.

2.  We invite everyone.

4.  In fact, even our youngest in church school are given an opportunity to make a pledge each year and give each week because giving is an act of the whole community.

b.  As a community of faith, we are tasked with providing opportunities for people to grow in their discipleship.

1.  We gather to learn about mission, and then are given opportunities to engage in mission.

2. We invite people to commit to giving back to God, and then we take those gifts and engage others with them.

3.  Mission and giving are intertwined.  Independent Sector Study: Correlation between average household’s donation to charity and voluntary service—households with one or more volunteers in household give on average $1,193/year. No volunteers  give an average $425/year.

c.  Not really a surprise, I suppose, for those of us who understand the task of the church to be about including and involving those inside our doors, even as we include and involve those outside our doors.

1.  We read Christ’s familiar words today about whom we are called to serve and what we are called to do.

2.  Catholic theologian Gary Anderson argues that this parable Jesus told was the most important text for the early church because it shaped their understanding of charitable giving (Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with Their Donors, William G. Enright, 60).

3.  They were called to give because they needed to fund the tasks given to them - to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, care for the sick, clothe the naked, visiting the imprisoned, welcoming the stranger.

3.  for those coming out of their Jewish heritage, this would have been a continuation of the historic emphasis on hospitality to strangers and caring for the widows and orphans.

4. For those new to the God whom Christ proclaimed this would shape their understanding of God’s care and concern for all the world and God’s call for followers of the resurrected Christ to join in that care and concern. In many ways, it was a continuation of their Jewish heritage of hospitality.  

5. for all of these new Christian, it shaped who they understood themselves to be.

d.   I recently read about Jacqueline Fuller leads Google.org, a data-driven, human-focused philanthropy powered by Google. Her team invests more than $200 million yearly to support innovative nonprofits who are using technology to create more opportunities for everyone to learn, succeed, and be heard. Jacqueline joined Google in 2007 and manages a global team overseeing Google’s philanthropic work, employee giving and volunteering, and product donations (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelline-fuller-8b79908)

“I remember reading the Bible when I first became a Christian.  I came away thinking…God loves the people, and we have a responsibility to ensure that we’re never the oppressor and that we’re taking care of strangers and widows and orphans and the fatherless.  That made me think that this is something I should do as a Christian and started me on this journey” (Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with Their Donors, William G. Enright, 59).

1.  a powerful comment.  I only wish she had said she had learned all that in a Presbyterian church!

2.  She clearly knows what we know - even as we join together in our giving, we extend beyond ourselves to include and involve others.

Move 2:  Our stewardship takes us into the world to include others and be involved in their lives.

a. Giving as an act of connecting beyond ourselves.

1.  Just as giving currency creates a flow of exchange, so our giving creates a flow of exchanges with others (Holy Currencies, Eric Law, 135-136)

2. Visually - money is given, and something is exchanged.  A connection is made.  Sharing takes place, although it may seem very business-like.

3. Likewise, when we take the gifts we give and offer them to those in our community through our mission work, through our support of partner agencies, through our direct giving to people in need, we are connecting with people.

b.  We sometimes look to the Genesis story of creation for insights into stewardship.

1. When God charges humans with caring for creation, we often see that as a call to care for the environment.

2. But that sense of being stewards should not be limited to thinking about the environment.

3.  We are called to join with God in repairing all of creation.

4.  In the Hebrew language there is a phrase to describe this - tikkun olam.

5.  The most modern and broadly understood notion of tikkun olam is that of "repairing the world" through human actions. Humanity's responsibility to change, improve, and fix its earthly surroundings is powerful. It implies that each person has a hand in working towards the betterment of his or her own existence as well as the lives of future generations. Tikkun olam forces people to take ownership of their world. It is them, not G-d, who will bring the world back to its original state of holiness. https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/tikkun-olam

6.  Giving gifts and then using them to repair 

7.  Our giving connects us and sends us out to be involved with others.  

8. To include others as we extend and expand the community of those whose lives have been changed by the presence and power of God.

c.  As the pandemic took hold, one of the ministries in which we engaged, in fact, are still engaging, was the Pandemic Relief Fund. 

1.  Great example of the movement in with giving and then movement out to the community.

2.  members cave money to this fund;  the mission committee matched the funds - a chance for all of us to be included and involved here at St. Andrew - our internal connectedness at work.

3.  Now, money is flowing out of the fund to people who have been adversely impacted by the pandemic - people being included and involved through the ministry of St. Andrew.

Conclusion:  One of the first Sunday mornings in my I was not quite used to the sounds of the empty building.  it was still dark.

I clearly heard someone outside the office.  I went to investigate.

I opened the door and a man jumped back, even as I jumped back.

“Who are you?” I shouted.

“Who are you,” he answered back.

“I’m the minister.”

“i’m Joe.”  

he then explained to me that he came by every Sunday morning for coffee, and if I were in fact the new minister, then I needed to know that.

My introduction to Joe.  Over the years, I got to know him a bit.  The church helped him out financially from time to time.  He sometimes lived in government housing.  Sometimes, I think he lived on the street.

He would disappear for months on end (usually in the really cold months), and then reappear.  We never knew when he disappeared if he had died, or if he would be back.

One day, I received a phone call.  A Presbyterian minister serving a church down in TN.  I cat remember the town, but it was on I-40.

“I’ve got sort of a strange question to ask you,” he said.

“Okay.”

“Do you know a guy named Joe?”

“What?”

“Well, I know this sounds crazy, but there’s a guy named Joe in my office asking for some financial help.  He told me that the Presbyterians in Troy, OH took care of him, so he came to the Presbyterian church in TN for help since he was one of us Presbyterians.  In fact, he insisted I call you to prove he was one of us, and we should help him”

“Joe!”  I described what he looked like.  

“yep. that the Joe who is standing in my office.”

“Well,” I said, “you can do what you want about helping him, but he’s right.  he is one of us.  we help him out from time to time when he’s in OH.”

I hung up laughing to myself - Joe was down in TN asking another minister for help.  not my problem that day. 

then I realized he had given us a great compliment by saying he was one of us.

And, indeed, he was.

Reflections on "Innovative and Indebted" Exodus 25: 20-29

A second of four sermons in our stewardship series.  the weekly video offered different ways people can give to the church using technology, plus the traditional snail mail or showing up in person to church. 

If I preached the sermon again, I would tie in how technology can help us become more disciplined in our discipleship, particularly in the area of giving.  I might also talk about the value of becoming a "patterned" giver and how technology can help us achieve that.

 “Innovative and Indebted” Stewardship series; October 18, 2020, SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp; Exodus 25: 20-29

Exodus 35: 20 Then all the congregation of the Israelites withdrew from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and brought the Lord’s offering to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the sacred vestments. 22 So they came, both men and women; all who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and pendants, all sorts of gold objects, everyone bringing an offering of gold to the Lord. 23 And everyone who possessed blue or purple or crimson yarn or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or fine leather,[a] brought them. 24 Everyone who could make an offering of silver or bronze brought it as the Lord’s offering; and everyone who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work, brought it. 25 All the skillful women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun in blue and purple and crimson yarns and fine linen; 26 all the women whose hearts moved them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. 27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and gems to be set in the ephod and the breastpiece, 28 and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the Israelite men and women whose hearts made them willing to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord.

Introduction: Continue reflecting on stewardship in a time of pandemic.

I hope you saw the stewardship video this past Tuesday.  Had some ideas for us to think about for the ways in which we give.   In our changing world of technology and our world of pandemic that has forced us to change how we interact, the stewardship committee thought it might be helpful to highlight different ways in which we can give.

this morning’s sermon is not a follow-up tutorial on those different ways, but an invitation to reflect on what is behind the desire to offer different ways for us to engage in our giving.

Move 1:  first all, let’s reflect for a few minutes about stewardship and innovation

a.  At the heart of stewardship innovation is the desire to make it possible for all of us to give as best we can.

1. We read an interesting story in Exodus.

2.  It sounds like simply a list of things people gave to build up and supply their place of worship.

3.  But if we dig deeper, we see a story about  about everybody giving in the best way they can.

4.  Everybody gave from what they had or through a skill they possessed.

5.  If they could offer silver or bronze, they did; if they had acacia wood to give, that is what they gave; if they were skilled at spinning beautiful yarns and linens, they gave those. 

6.  It was not everyone giving the same thing and in the same way; instead, it was everyone giving how they can of what they have.

7.  As one commentator notes, “No contest ensued over who gave what or who gave more. “All have a part in building the sanctuary for YHWH, and, without each playing his or her peculiar part, it cannot be completed” (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-35/).

8.  Giving was the act of the whole community, each in their own unique ways.

b.  Way back in the 2nd century, Bishop Clement of Alexandria, preached sermon titled, “Can a Rich Man Be saved?”

1.  Sounds like a pretty interesting sermon.  Wish it had been live streamed so we could pull it up today and see it!

2.  in the sermon, Bishop Clement suggested that money was morally neutral.  

3.  He likened money to being an “instrument” to be put to “good use by those who know how to play the instrument skillfully” (kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with Their Donors, Willam G. Enright, 57).

3.  Our stewardship committee is inviting us to consider new ways for us to play our instrument of money; to consider new possibilities for how we can play out or giving.

1.  KD story -  the church I served in OH had a long history of emphasizing the privacy of one’s pledge and one’s giving.

Not a single annual campaign or capital campaign went by without a public statement announcing that no one saw your pledge or the amount of your gifts, except the treasurer.  it was a huge deal for them every year.

Ironically, I learned a lot about the giving patterns of members because they told me themselves!  they seemed very free in telling me about how much they gave or what their pledge might be for the coming year.  Sometimes, it was shared as we discussed a job change or job loss and how that might impact their giving.  Sometimes, they would just tell me for no particular reason what they gave to the church.

I remember one member coming up to me one year and telling me, “I gave a whole lot more to the church last year that I thought I did.”

“Huh,” or something like that was my brilliant reply.

“you want to know why?” he asked. 

“Sure.” (i was on top of my game that day).

“Well, I switched over to using my bank’s bill pay.  Twice a month a check gets sent to the church’s whether I show up or not. You know what I learned about that?

I wanted to say “you learned that some months your check showed up more than you did,”  but I went with “What?”

“I learned that the bank is more consistent about sending checks than I am about showing up sometimes.  So I gave more than I ever have before.  You know what else I learned?”

“nope.”

“i didn’t even notice that I was giving a lot more this year.  I might even tell the bank to send more next year.”

2.  All the stewardship sermons through the years had done little to get him excited about his giving or to even notice his giving.

3. But using technology to give - made his excited about giving and had him considering giving more.

4.  As we consider innovative ways in which we can give, it is an invitation to reflect on giving and change our giving patterns.

Move 2:  Innovation may be an invitation to consider new ways of giving, but it still takes us back to our fundament understanding that we give because we are indebted to God for all we have.

a. Recently, I  was reading a book, and the author cited a study that showed out 80% of people who give did not know why they gave the amount they did or when they decided to give that amount.   [Interestingly enough, even though they could not tell why they gave what they gave, they knew they did not want to give more!] (Creating Congregations of Generous People, Michael Curall, 21)

1. as we hear the invitation to consider the way in which we give, it is also an invitation to reclaim why we give. 

2. to remember the many ways in which God has given to us.

3. God has given us the gift of life itself. 

4.   Images of God breathing the breath of life into us.  

5.  As our own denomination’s statement on stewardship theology tells us:  “…neither we nor the resources belong to ourselves. We are not just managing surplus for the good of humanity.  We understand that all resources are God’s and that they are to be used for God’s purposes (213th General Assembly [2001] statement on stewardship theology as found in Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money, Christian Smith, Michael Emerson, and Patricia Snell, 224)

6.  God making us stewards over creation, not because creation is our, but because God calls us to share in responsibility over creation.

7.  In his letter to the Corinthians we read this morning, Paul makes it clear that God has given us the gift of Jesus Christ out of God’s love for us.  We did nothing to deserve it or earn.

8. So we respond by giving back first fruits and more from the gifts which we have been given, by sharing our talents in service to God.  

9.  All in response to our indebtedness to God for the gifts God has given to us.

b. As we ponder new ways in which you might give, we are invited to reclaim the theological underpinnings of our giving.

Conclusion:  

Reflections on "Stewardship in a Time of Pandemic: Invested and Inspired" Philippians 4: 10-17; Jeremiah 32: 1-15

We interrupt our preaching series on crosses for a four week series on stewardship during a time of pandemic.  It has been a remarkable year of giving for this congregation.  In the midst of the pandemic, giving is right on track with what was pledged, plus we have raised extra funds for our Pandemic Relief Fund.  As we look to commitments for 2021, it will be curious to see if uncertainty due to the pandemic, or perhaps a response to how the election cycle turns out, will impact pledging.

Either last year or the year before, I preached a sermon on this same Jeremiah text.  It would have been a perfect fit for this sermon theme.  I did work in part of the Jeremiah text, but did not focus as much on it as I did when I previously preached the sermon based on the text.

 “Stewardship in a Time of Pandemic:  Invested and Inspired” October 11, 2020, SAPC, Denton; Dr. Richard B. Culp;  Philippians 4: 10-17; Jeremiah 32: 1-15

Philippians 4: 10-19

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. 11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

15 You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. 16 For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. 18 I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Introduction:  since March, we have been trying to figure out how to go about our lives in the midst of a pandemic - we spent several months learning to work, to connect with others, to be the church in a time of quarantine.

Then, we moved to what we might call semi-quarantine - places opening up, but limited capacity; some headed back to work; some continuing to work at home; and numbers rising or falling depending on the week

Our worship now reflects this time - some people here in -person socially distanced and wearing masks; some people watching at home. 

the church calendar moves forward and we continue learning to do what we do in this changing environment.  A congregational meeting next week with in-person people in the sanctuary and others Zooming in - we never would have even imagined that scenario a year ago as we planned the last congregational meeting to elect officers.

how do we do stewardship in the midst of all this,

Stewardship in a time when for some their job status is threatened or has changed when financial uncertainty seems to be the norm.

The stewardship committee invites you to join with us as we take a break for the sermons on crosses we wear and reflect on stewardship in a time of pandemic.  I hope you saw the video this past Tuesday - if not check it out - and then be sure and see the videos in the coming weeks.

Now, we reflect on being inspired and invested in our stewardship.

Move 1: We begin by reflecting on how we invest as partners through our stewardship.

a.  In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he shares how meaningful it was for them to send him gifts.

1.  Paul makes it clear that he does not need the gift - he learned to be satisfied in whatever circumstance he faces.   he works to support himself in his ministry;  he will be ok.  (http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday28aee.html; "The Power that Christ Gives," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)

2.  But, the value of their gift, in large part, is the partnership with Paul it signifies.

3. their willingness to invest in him means they join with him in the ministry of proclaiming the gospel to the world around them.

b.  Our stewardship campaign means more than just a certain amount of dollars in pledges.

1. it always does, but this year, in particular,  it is about investing in what God is doing.

2. It is about committing to being partners with God in the ongoing work of God in the world.

3. The uncertainty of a pandemic may bring with if financial challenges, but it also calls us to engage in ministry, to meet the new needs arising in the world due to the pandemic.

4.  our stewardship campaign this year calls us to commit to being partners with God in facing our world and responding to its needs.

5.  Like the Philippians who invest in Paul’s work, become partners with him, we turn to God and invest ourselves and the ministries of St. Andrew in what God is doing in the midst of a pandemic

move 2:  Our stewardship is also about being inspired and inspiring others.

a. As we read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see how important their gifts were to Paul as a sign of their commitment to him.

1.  the Philippians had been generous in their support of Paul in the past.

2. But, in this challenging moment for him, he finds their financial gifts an inspiring symbol.

3. our stewardship campaign this year may be more symbolic than most years.

4.  In our world where coronavirus threatens us in a  variety of ways, where political divisiveness is center stage, where the threat of global war seems to be growing, the future seems uncertain.

5.  In that space, we stand and boldly proclaim that God’s future is still before us.

6.  Not just words - as visible proof of our belief in God’s future, we make pledges and invest ourselves in that future.

7.  Both an actual commitment, but also a symbolic one for all the world to see and be inspired.

8.  Uncertainty may abound, but St. Andrew is still here offering worship, feeding the hungry, reaching out through our Pandemic Relief Fund.  A visible sign of God’s enduring presence.

b.  That’s what happens in the story about the prophet Jeremiah that we read this morning.

1.  You perhaps remember the story.

2.  God’s people are in trouble.

  3.  The threats around them abound.

4. No coronavirus, but the Babylonian army is at their doorsteps.

5. Exile appears to be imminent.

c.  Jeremiah, God’s prophet, is having some personal trouble as well.

  1.  Imprisoned for making King Zedekiah angry with his prophecies.

  2.  Jeremiah has learned that if you tell the king he is going to be defeated; that he is going to taken into exile; and it is the king’s fault, there’s a good chance you are going to end up in prison.

3. What should Jeremiah do?

d.  God has an idea for him.  

   1. “Jeremiah, when your cousin comes and tells you to buy some family property, a field in Anathoth, buy the field.”

   2.  Just what Jeremiah is looking for - a chance to invest in the future when the world seems to offer no future.

  3. So Jeremiah buys the field.

  5.  A sign to the world that God is not done with Israel and the world.

6.  A concrete investment in the future to inspire those around him and help them lay claim to their hope in God.

e.  In 2001, the church I served in Ohio put together a plan for a major capital campaign.

1.  it was the culmination of a process that determined the church needed to renovate almost all of its current facility and add another building, which would double the usable space for ministry in downtown Troy where the Presbyterian church stood.

2.  The capital campaign committee had met and put into place the plan.  Kick-off would be in October of 2001.

3. All  the plans were in place by late summer.

4.  Then, September 11th arrived and the world was changed by a barbaric act of terrorism. 

5.   The world was reeling. Uncertainty filled the air - what was going to happen to the economy, to the world in the aftermath of 9/11.

6.  the Session sent word to the Capital campaign committee asking them to consider if the capital campaign and the building project it would fund should be put on hold.

7.  The chair of the committee came to the next Session meeting.  A lengthy discussion unfolded.

What was the prudent thing to do?

After going back and forth, considering lots of different options and angles, the chair of the capital campaign committee said to the Session:  “We have lots of good reasons to postpone the capital campaign.  And maybe we should.  but, we also believe that God has a purpose for this church.  Right now it might be good to tell the congregation and our community that we are moving forward, investing in the future because we believe God is calling us into that future.”

8.  the lengthy silence that followed was finally broken by a motion to continue with the capital campaign as planned.  It carried unanimously.

9.  Investing in the future of the church became a symbol for the congregation of trusting in God’s future for them.

10.  As we make pledges and a commitment to the future ministries of St. Andrew, we lift up the God whose future continues to unfold before us.

Move 3: A final thought - we dare to make commitments in a sign of uncertainty because that is who we are.

a.  IN his letter to the Philippians, Paul notes that they had been generous in their support of him in the past. (http://www.lectionarystudies.com/sunday28aee.html; "The Power that Christ Gives," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)

1.  They knew what it meant to give of their resources.

2.  The Philippians had a strong history of good stewardship.

3. Paul may be overjoyed, but he is not surprised by the generosity of the Philippians.  They have a track record of generosity.

b. As we begin our stewardship campaign in this time of uncertainty and pandemic, I liken our situation to that of the Philippians.

1.  St. Andrew (you) has a strong history of giving.

2.  St. Andrew has a strong history of faithful and generous stewardship. 

3.  This year, during the pandemic, a constant has been the flow of giving coming you.

4.  As we look to make commitments for 2021, we build on that legacy.

5.  We stand and proclaim to the world that God is still at work, and we are partners in God’s work.

c.  As I was reflecting on St. Andrew’s long history of giving, I was reminded of a conversation Dr. McCoy had years ago when he was the minister here.

I was in high school, 

 - someone asked him about the multi-colored Word of Faith tower you used to see off of I-35 headed to Dallas down around Farmer’s Branch.

It was part of the Robert Tilton empire.  At one point, 235 TV markets showed the worship in that tower and it brought in nearly $80 million per year.

Someone asked Dr. McCoy what he thought about that tower they passed on the highway.

As I remember it, Dr. McCoy said something about churches that come and go, and he bet St. Andrew would still be here long after that tower was gone because of St. Andrew’s commitment to serve others and be faithful to God here in downtown Denton.

Conclusion:  And here we are.  Still here.  Still investing in God’s unfolding future, still committing to being partners in the ministries to which God calls us.