New Covenant Community Church

Pastor’s Column

Using Our Gifts – A Letter from the Pastor

by | Sep 2, 2021 | Pastor’s Column

The gifts Christ gave were . . .
to equip the saints for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ,
until all of us come to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.
– Ephesians 4:11-13

If we, as we begin the month of September, look in the mirror, it’s doubtful that we’ll see it.

But if we look in the sanctuary, the likeness appears, clearly, vividly, unmistakably . . .

the likeness to the body of Christ,

a likeness that is visible even during a pandemic,

diverse parts united for God’s purposes,

sinews of love joined in harmony,

shining as a lighthouse upon a darkened sea.

The body of Christ, blessed with the hands of New Covenant Community Church –

the hands that serve meals at Gennesaret, and write checks for the people of Haiti,

the hands that fill Buckets of Care for the Central American Medical Outreach,

the hands that place books in the hands of elementary school children and dig in the dirt

of the Community Garden to provide food for strangers.

The body of Christ, blessed with the heart of New Covenant Community Church –

a heart large enough to make a place for someone else

a heart that understands that other lives might be very different from our own

a heart that genuinely cares for our fellow human beings across the globe

The body of Christ, blessed with the voice of New Covenant Community Church –

a voice whose prayers refresh the world with the fragrance of newness,

a voice that trumpets the message of justice and peace with Christ’s clarion call,

a voice whose melodies of faith intone new paradigms of faith, hope, and love.

The body of Christ, blessed with the eyes of New Covenant Community Church –

the eyes to see another’s tears and paint for them a rainbow in the sky . . .

the eyes to see beyond the present moment and envision a new horizon splashed with the
colors of God . . .

the eyes to see the beauty that unfolds before us when we recognize that there is neither

Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, but we are all one in
Christ Jesus.

The body of Christ, revealed through the disciples of New Covenant Community Church –

who display generosity by graciously offering our gifts to others . . .

who demonstrate compassion by truly caring about improving the quality of life for all
people . . .

who embody the virtues of patience and forgiveness when things don’t proceed as
smoothly as we would like.

Yet, through  the hands,

the hearts,

the voices,

the eyes, in this extension of the body of Christ,

someone will have enough to eat tonight

someone will have decent clothes to wear

someone will be much healthier

someone will learn the skills they need to survive

someone knows that there is at least one person in this world who cares.

And so, we continue to grow . . .

to grow in faith . . .

to grow as God’s people . . .

to grow as the body of Christ . . .

until that glorious day when all humanity will be like Christ,

and all people will come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

rejoicing in God’s gift of abundant life

and celebrating in the kingdom of God

that will have come on earth, as it is already is in heaven.

Blessings,
tom

Announcements for 4th Week of Lent

During this 4th week of Lent, here’s what’s happening at NCCC.

A Pep Talk for Lent- 3/10/24

Rev. Rito gives a Lenten pep talk, to help believers reach their goals.

The Highest Way – 2/18/24

The benefit of not going it alone.

Reframing Lent- Ash Wednesday 2024

Rev. Rito ask “Why?” along with “What are you giving something up for Lent?” this Ash Wednesday.

Intent vs. Impact – 2/4/24

Did Jesus’ actions have an unintended impact?