1. family and parenting
2. children

The Messenger
Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus, Georgia
The Rev. Timothy Graham, Rector
The Rev. Nicholas Hull, Curate
Joseph Golden, Organist & Choirmaster
Paul Culp, Associate Organist & Choirmaster
November 2014
From the Rector
From the Rev. Timothy H. Graham, Rector
A few days ago I returned from a nice vacation at the beach. It was great to have a break in my routine, and I enjoyed the
beautiful weather and leisure time in that relaxing place. The best part of my vacation, however, was spending time with
family.
Vacations are often occasions to reconnect with family. As I was reflecting on family, and also thinking about what I
wanted to say to you this month, the theme of family remained in my mind. We all experience a sense of family in many
different ways. Church is also a family for us. I would suggest that some recent ministry events here at Trinity Church, and
some planned events in our near future, are all about family.
The recent visit of Lord and Lady Carey was a wonderful event in the life of our parish, and a time for us to remember
forever. What a great privilege it was to spend quality, intimate time with the Archbishop of Canterbury! As a leader of our
worldwide Anglican Communion, Lord Carey has influenced millions of faithful Christians in his lifetime. He has traveled
the world preaching the Gospel. We enjoyed his profound words and his excellent preaching. But his real gift to us, and Lady Carey’s gift, was their warm connection to us. The relationships we made with them remind us that we are connected to a
very large family. We are linked to faithful Christians all over the globe.
Last week we joined our family from St. Thomas Episcopal Church for their traditional All Hallows’ Eve Trunk-orTreat in their parking lot. Lots of folks from Trinity showed up in costume with bags of candy to share and ready to have a
great time - and one was had by all! This was our second year joining our family members from St. Thomas for this wonderful event and we are so grateful they extended an invitation to us once again. It’s important for family to have fun together!
We have other upcoming events at Trinity Church that are all about family too. We have begun our annual Thanksgiving food drive for families within the outreach program at Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry. Those brothers and
sisters who will benefit from your generosity are our family as well. Our partner parishes connected to CVEM remind us
that we can do more together than any of us can do alone.
Each week we share our gently used clothing with family members. Our brothers and sisters who visit Trinity’s Clothes
Closet each week are reminded of our faithfulness and care. We are so grateful for all the donations we have received thus
far and pray you will continue to support this wonderful ministry. We are in special need of men’s clothing; particularly
jeans (especially larger sizes), and warm, casual clothing. Men’s tennis shoes and boots are needed as well. New socks and
underwear are needed for both men and women. Ours is a family that cares well and shares well.
Saturday, November 15 Trinity’s youth ministry will partner with the youth from our neighbors at First Presbyterian
Church to create a special day for some very deserving young people. This outreach project is something that we can all
participate in. We are working together with our family next door to share God’s love by doing something very special for
our family members who live a few blocks from our church. (See ad in this same newsletter issue to find out more about this
project and get involved!)
On Sunday, November 16 after the 10:30 am worship service we will get together and enjoy a special parish family
meal - our 7th Annual Parish Family Thanksgiving. I hope you will plan to be a part of it!
We are family. Thanks be to God.
Fr. Tim Graham
Building a Spirit-empowered community that serves and celebrates Christ.
“Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto
my cry;” Psalm 88:2
We pray God’s protection for those serving in battle:
Trent Slaton, Marc Fish
In Our Prayers:
 Ruth Prestridge
 Jane Shirah
 Andrew Rothschild
 Twyla Dudley
 Andrew Wade
 Wesley Fay
 Jackie Alford
 Frankie Wickham
 Carol Spakes
 Leslie Mitchell

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
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Dot Young
Kay Young
Liz Scrantom
Barbara Hunter
Sally Day
Ann Sturkie
Julie Young
Rudi C. Pierson
The Helms/Graham families
for the loss of Lorena Helms
In Thanksgiving:
 For the wedding of Carter Blanchard Staples, daughter
of Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Staples, to Ryan McDowell
Jackson on Saturday, October 11, 2014.
 For the wedding of the Rev. Nicholas Andrew Hull &
Leandra Lucy Burke on Saturday, October 11, 2014 in
Alexandria, VA.
If you know of a Parishioner who is in the hospital, has
had a child, or is facing some crisis, please let the Parish
Office know so our Parish family can respond.
Being Intentionally Unintentional
The Rev. Nick Hull – Being intentional is very much a
buzzword in the Episcopal world, and for good reason. We
should be intentional about our faith through worship, prayer, study, and responsibility to our community and planet.
For all of these very good reasons intentionality has exploded across the Church lexicon with Intentional Communities springing up on campuses housing students that share
a common passion, and with religious leaders urging their
audiences to adapt an intentional rule of life.
All of this is wonderful, but I cannot help but to fear for
the future of un-intentionality and all of its wondrous virtues. Being intentional can help keep us on track with habits that we are trying to form that we might be averse to
adapting. Being intentional about keeping an ethical diet
could mean only having meat at one meal a day, or supporting local farmers by shopping at farmers markets at least
once a week. These rules can change lives and communities
by going against the lulling trap of convenience. Once
again all of this is good, but all of this intention leaves me
craving the chaos of adventure and the joy of unexpected
laughter.
I loved my time in Seminary, but I often felt over encumbered with the plethora of events, classes, meetings, services, and community activities that I felt the need to escape. Taking the time to get on my bike and leave campus
with no itinerary, schedule or route in mind opened my life
to the Spirit. I often found myself riding into the city and
finding myself in some gallery finding God in an exhibit
that I would never have found on my own, or in a chance
encounter with a friend on the street. Even when my bike
rides did not lead me to any remarkable experience or revelation I always felt refreshed and energized knowing that
the world would continue without me when I am not
plugged into the drone of daily life. Why not skip that
meeting tonight and explore in the woods with your child,
or get on your bike abandoning any other goal other than
embracing that seed of joy that may be lying dormant from
when we first took off the training wheels?
Fr. Nick Hull
St. Francis Fund Committee Update
The St. Francis Fund Committee met on October 15, 2014
at 5:30 pm at the church. The committee voted to give VAPOR $4,000. VAPOR engages some of the world’s poorest
places and establishes centers for poverty alleviation and
disciple making. They use sports as a vehicle to connect
and share the Gospel. Partnering with local faith communities they build fields, establish leagues, and initiate organized, humanitarian projects. The center’s indigenous staff
members serve as coaches and spiritual mentors. They are
trained to meet both the immediate basic needs of the children and to introduce them to the love of Christ. The St.
Francis Fund support will be used for the Banana Farm
Sustainability project in Haiti. At each center VAPOR partners with a church and in Haiti it is an Episcopal church.
The banana farm at their center is a project designed to help
sustain the center financially. Micro businesses are used to
train people and equip them to be self-sustaining. VAPOR
covers the cost of setting up the business and leading these
people to accountability.
New officers for the St. Francis Fund Committee for
2015 were nominated and approved. New officers
are: Chairman, Rick Damke; Co-Chairman, Sally Walden;
Secretary/Communications, Muffy Schladensky. The committee welcomed new member Wright Waddell to the committee. The committee thanked John Holt, Chairman of the
St. Francis Fund, for his extraordinary leadership and faithfulness for the past two years. John’s tireless efforts enabled the St. Francis Fund to play an integral role in the
foundation of Trinity House and Grace House, ministries of
the Chattahoochee Valley Jail Ministry. These ministries
have richly blessed our parish.
Spotlight:
“We Are Trinity!”
Jean Romeo
Jean’s long life began in 1925 in
Columbus where she has lived her
entire life. She had two older sisters who predeceased her during
the last ten years. She and her late
husband Billy met at a dance in
1946 and married the next year in
Trinity’s chapel. Her only job was
working for a short time as a dental assistant. She and Billy decided that she should stay at
home with their family. Billy was dedicated to his work with
Boy Scout Troop 6, planning camping trips every weekend.
Jean would stay with his parents while he was away and was
supportive during his many years of scouting service until his
death in 1998.
FAMILY: The Romeos have two daughters, Nancy Poole
and Debbie Buce. Nancy and her husband Jimmy have one
son, Juston, who lives in Atlanta. When Debbie is out of town,
Jean enjoys dog sitting with her dachshund granddog, Sea
Biscuit.
HER FAITH: Jean was raised in the First Baptist Church and
Billy was an Episcopalian. After they had a family, the decision was made that they should belong to the same church.
Since Billy was a cradle Episcopalian, Jean joined Trinity in
1958. In 1983 she was elected to serve on the Vestry for three
years, which proved to be a rewarding experience for Jean.
On New Year’s Eve of 2003, the car in which Jean was a
passenger was struck by a drunk driver. She suffered a broken
neck and spent three months in a “halo.” She made a complete
and remarkable recovery except for some loss of mobility in
her neck.
HOBBIES: Jean loves books and movies about murder mysteries. Almost every morning she meets friends for their two
mile walk at the mall. She functions better by following a rigid schedule, waking at 5:00 am to start her day! She spends
much of her time caring for friends and family, making daily
calls to check on a friend, visiting another friend in the nursing
home, and helping anyone who might need her.
She is devoted, generous, caring and also headstrong.
Jean reminds us of the “Energizer bunny” and can work longer and harder than many of her younger friends. She is always
ready to go and is the self-appointed social organizer for many
senior trips and outings.
ON TRINITY: This dedicated and remarkable lady serves as
a member of the Altar Guild, St. Lydia’s Guild, a Prayer
Breakfast team, and the D.O.K. For many years she has come
to Trinity very early every Sunday morning to prepare the orange juice for the Prayer Breakfast. She will help set tables,
clear tables, or do anything necessary. Jean faithfully attends
the 8:00 am service and Bill Stahl’s Bible study. If you ask
Jean how she feels about Trinity, she responds, “I really love
Trinity!”
By the way, on November 4 Jean will enjoy another birthday and plans to spend this special day working at the polls.
She has worked at the same voting precinct for many years,
beginning with the Kennedy election in 1960.
HAPPY 89th BIRTHDAY, JEAN!
Great News for Children!
Joseph Golden – Things that everyone knows about helping children learn:
1. Children involved in the Arts have a distinct advantage
in excelling in all other disciplines.
2. Children involved in the Arts demonstrate higher levels
of thinking and problem solving.
3. Children involved in the Arts have heightened teamwork skills.
4. Children involved in Music in particular achieve noticeably higher success in all math studies.
5. Children who participate in church musical activities
are developing roots of their faith manifested in service
and dedication to their parish. These are roots that will
last a lifetime.
6. Children who have been active in church music at an
early age have a much higher chance of remaining connected to the church when they move on to college/
university life and/or returning to church when they
begin their own family and professional lives later on.
We at Trinity Church have a strong tradition of music in
worship, and our Music Team wants to offer musical training for your children.
We’re wanting to take a NEW APPROACH to Children’s Choir with LIMITED COMMITMENT SESSIONS:
1. Identify a Sunday in the January-May 2015 season,
when a Trinity Children’s Choir will sing during the
10:30 am service.
2. Plan 5 rehearsal sessions before that chosen date.
3. The children will learn to read and understand music
and be trained in healthy singing techniques that will
last for their entire lives.
4. Add to the children’s already rich experience that
comes through their exposure to the Trinity Children’s
Ministries.
The LIMITED COMMITMENT concept is an exciting new
approach, and it will allow our children to add musical
training and the enhancement of all of the essentials listed
above at a crucial time in their lives.
If you’re a parent of children in grades 3-5, please consider adding your child to the roster of those who are excited about this new approach by contacting Paul Culp, Associate Organist/Choirmaster, and join in this new ministry!

Sunday, November 1 – Trinity will host a Safeguarding
God’s Children certification class from 9:00 am - 12:00
pm. Safeguarding God's Children is a program that empowers and educates members of the church about how
to prevent any type of abuse from happening at a church
function. Contact Kathryn Scoggins at the Parish Office
at (706) 322-5569 or [email protected] if you
are interested in attending.

Sunday, November 2 – It’s All Saints’ Day! During the
10:30 am worship service the children will process
dressed as different saints to celebrate saints throughout
the history of the Church. Any child who would like to
participate in Trinity’s traditional annual pageant should
meet Mrs. Kathryn upstairs in Holywood at 9:30 am.

Saturday, November 15 – Join the youth of Trinity and
First Presbyterian Church, Teen Challenge, and the families of Wilson Homes (3400 8th Avenue Columbus) for a
Fall Family Festival! Join us from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm
at Wilson Homes for games, food, and fun!

Wednesday, December 17 – Take a break from the holiday busyness and join us here in the Parish Hall for a
Christmas Cookie Party & Movie! Both young and
young at heart are invited to join us for the Parish Family
Dinner at 5:30 in the Parish Hall. Then at 6:30 we'll sip a
festive winter beverage and decorate yummy cookies
while we listen to Christmas music and watch How the
Grinch Stole Christmas! This year the children will be preparing cookies for our Prayer Breakfast attendees joining
us that following Sunday, December 21. They'll also get
to take some home! *This will be our intergenerational
Trinity Children’s Ministries
For it is to such as these that the Kingdom of heaven belongs.
Gratitude
Kathryn Scoggins – “Be joyful
always; pray continually; give
thanks in all circumstances, for this
is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
As we approach Thanksgiving, we often turn our attention to ways that we can express our gratitude. Here are a
few simple ways to help your child learn to express their
gratitude:
1. Teach your child to write a “Thank You” note: Help
your children create and write a thank you card to
someone who makes a difference in their lives.
2. Small gestures of kindness: Help your child draw pictures for people in a retirement home or send cards to
children in the hospital. Help them bake cookies for
neighbors. Involve your child in thinking of small ways
to share what they have with others.
3. Incorporate gratitude into your daily routine: It doesn’t
take more than a minute or two to name one thing that
we are thankful for! You could do this in the car on the
way home from school, at the dinner table, before bedtime, or any free moment that you have to notice blessings big and small.
Following along in this same spirit of gratitude, Trinity
Children’s and Youth Ministries will be partnering with
Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries to bring
Thanksgiving dinner to six families this year. Our 2014
Thanksgiving food drive will take place between Sunday,
October 19 through Sunday, November 16. You may
drop food items needed to complete a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the donation baskets located inside Trinity’s Parish Office. (See the Youth Ministry page in this issue for more info!)
Another popular and convenient way to give is by purchasing a VISA gift card loaded with any amount you are
able to donate, and leaving it in the offering plate on, clearly marked, or with a Trinity Staff member in the Parish Office. *Gift cards must be received by Friday, November
14!*
On November 16 children will lend a hand by helping
to pack the food for these six families.
Update on the Children’$ Offering:
Our November Children’s Offering will go to Trinity House,
a shelter for women and children. With the collection we will
be able to purchase
Christmas gifts for children who might not otherwise receive them.
Last year our awesome children collected
$479.91 to purchase
clothes and Christmas
gifts for 5 kids at Trinity
House. Please help us
again as we support this
important ministry!
Lucius Morton
Connie Armstrong,
Kathleen Bishop
Glenn Fish
George & Judy Wilkinson
Carl Fedde
Team II – Brooks Yancey
Rick Damke
Katie Damke, Muffy Schladensky
Carlo Thorington
Team I – John Holt &
Bill Scrantom
Lectors
Greeters
Verger
Ushers
3
2
1
Jack Winn, Jr.
Patti Simkins
Benson Smith
Jacquie Rawls
Carol Vowell
Ruth Prestridge
Carlo Thorington
Kevin & Marcie Topping
Chris Henson
Harlan Price
8:00 am
Bob Miller
10:30 am
Muffy Schladensky/P,
Mollie Smith/†,
Dr. Peggy Augustine-Shorter/*
Eucharistic
Ministers
P – Prayers
† - High Altar
* - Lower Altar
4
Jean Romeo
Ceil Bone
Will Peek
Kelley Watts
5 Olivia Wells
6 Tracy Mourer
7 Carter Watts
8 Jack Collins
9 Meghan Twigg
Traeger Young
10 Dr. Peggy Augustine-Shorter
Maggie Yancey
11 Dot Young
Laura Kate Rambo
13 John Shinkle
George & Judy Wilkinson
Carl Fedde
8:00 am
Bill Perkins
10:30 am
Paul Berry/P,
Trip Parker/†,
Sydney Smith/*
8:00 am
Jean & Bob Miller
10:30 am
Dr. Peggy Augustine-Shorter,
Christina Stahl
8:00 am
Dr. Burch Cameron
10:30 am
Philip Schley/P,
Jo Myers/†,
Harlan Price/*
Emily Doll
14 Ken Henson, Jr.
Lily Twigg
15 Elizabeth Woods
Katie Anne Solomons
16 Charlotte Laverty
Theo Pound
17 Pat Passailaigue
18 Dr. Waverley Dashiell
Chloey Price
19 Effie Bowers
20 Laura Tidwell
21 Joseph Sillitto
22 Sally Rowe
Lillie Caves
Team V – Johnny Cargill
Col. Robert Robinson
8:00 am
Bill Harper
10:30 am
Trip Parker/P,
David Fox/†,
Sarah Riddick/*
8:00 am
Nell Hudson, Barbara Rivers
10:30 am
Debroah Mills, Barbara Korzan
*If your birthday is missing or
listed incorrectly, please call the
Parish Office at (706) 322-5569.
*In the October 2014 issue of
The Messenger Mr. Nick Baker's
birthday on 10/4 was left off in
error. He turned 32!*
Team IV – Carlo Thorington
8:00 am
Mary Boyd Trussell,
Ellen Cameron
10:30 am
Polly Scrantom, Trudy Wade
8:00 am
Gary Cason
10:30 am
Doug McLeod/P,
Harlan Price/†,
Carl Fedde/*
23 Laura Porter
25 Ashley Holt
26 Richard Waddell, Jr.
Mary Maurice Young
Ford Garrard
27 Debroah Mills
Melanie Smith
28 Margot Schley
Connie Armstrong
29 Claire Berry
30 Hon. Kenneth Followill
Henry Mullin, Jr.
Mary Stewart Mullin
November Birthdays
Team III – Chuck Staples
8:00 am
Mona Thorington, Barbara Rivers
10:30 am
Kevin & Marcie Topping
Jill Hiers
8:00 am
Nell Hudson, Barbara Rivers
10:30 am
Debroah Mills, Barbara Korzan
Jean Romeo
Prayer
Intercessors
Vicky Partin
Katie Damke
November 30 –
First Sunday of Advent
Scout Troop 6
November 23 – Last Sunday
after Pentecost: Christ the King
Prayer B’fast
Ministry
November 16 –
23rd Sunday after Pentecost
Linen Guild – Team II
November 9 –
22nd Sunday after Pentecost
November Service Schedule
November 2 –
All Saints’ Sunday
Altar Guild – Team II
Mon
Tue
Wed
4 – ELECTION DAY
5
10:30 am Prayer Group
11:00 am Women’s Bible
Study w/C. Bradshaw Parlor 11:30 am HE II w/Healing
5:30 pm Parish Family Dinner
6:00 pm Tots & Tunes/Music
Makers
6:30 pm Trinity Choir rehearsal
6:30 pm Christian Ed. programs
November 2014
Sun
17
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:30 pm
5:30 pm
Prayer Group
HE II w/Healing
18
19
Bridge (Library)
10:30 am Prayer Group
11:00 am Women’s Bible
Staff
Study w/C. Bradshaw Parlor 11:30 am HE II w/Healing
4:15 pm Covenant Woods
Lucy Shepherd Guild 6:00 pm St. Lydia’s Guild
Vestry
5:30 pm St. Francis Fund mtg.
5:30 pm Parish Family Dinner
6:00 pm Tots & Tunes/Music
Makers
Trinity Choir rehearsal
Christian Ed. programs
24
10:00 am Bridge (Library)
10:30 am Staff
*NO dinner, programs, or choir
due to Thanksgiving.
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
25
26
11:00 am *NO Women’s Bible 10:30 am
Study w/C. Bradshaw 11:30 am
11:00 am Spring Harbor visit
10
11 – VETERAN’S DAY
12
10:00 am Bridge (Library)
10:30 am Prayer Group
10:00 am Finance Committee PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 11:30 am HE II w/Healing
11:00 am Staff
5:30 pm Parish Family Dinner
6:00 pm Tots & Tunes/Music
Makers
6:30 pm Trinity Choir rehearsal
6:30 pm Christian Ed. programs
2 – ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
3
*Daylight Saving Time ENDS! 10:00 am Bridge (Library)
8:00 am HE I
10:30 am Staff
8:00 am Prayer Breakfast
9:00 am Parish Breakfast
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 am Trinity Choir reh.
10:30 am HE II/Children’s Pag.
5:30 pm Youth Fellowship
9 – ANGLICAN HERITAGE
8:00 am HE I
8:00 am Prayer Breakfast
9:00 am Parish Breakfast
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 am Trinity Choir reh.
10:30 am HE II/Bagpipers
12:00 pm English Country
Dancing/P. Hall
5:30 pm Youth Fellowship
16
8:00 am HE I
8:00 am Prayer Breakfast
9:00 am *Cont. Parish Bfast.
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 am Trinity Choir reh.
10:30 am HE II
12:00 pm 7th Annual Parish
Fam. Thanksgiving
5:30 pm Youth Fellowship
23/30 – 1st Sunday of Advent
8:00 am HE I
8:00 am Prayer Breakfast
9:00 am Parish Breakfast
9:30 am Sunday School
9:30 am Trinity Choir reh.
10:30 am HE II
5:30 pm 23/Youth Fellowship
*30 NO Youth Fell.
Thu
6
7
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
w/C. Bradshaw (Parlor)
7:30 am HE I
8:00 am Parish Breakfast
12:00 pm Parish Life Cmte.
Fri
Sat
1
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Safeguarding God’s Children
Certification & Training
in Trinity’s Parish Hall
8
15
DIOCESAN COUNCIL IN ATLANTA
22
Trinity Youth with First
Presbyterian Youth:
Loving our neighbors
with our neighbors.
11:00 am - 2:30 pm
FALL FESTIVAL
@ Wilson Homes apts.
(3400 8th Ave. Columbus)
20
21
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
w/C. Bradshaw (Parlor)
7:30 am HE I
8:00 am Parish Breakfast
29
13
14
7:00 am Men’s Bible Study
11:00 am DOK
w/C. Bradshaw (Parlor)
7:30 am HE I
8:00 am Parish Breakfast
28
27 – OFFICE CLOSED
*NO services today.
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED
Only What You Do For Christ Will Last
Anthony Estes – Whew, the month of October really flew by quickly! With so much going on I’ve had little time to reflect
on what the month of October means to me personally. Usually when the weather gets cool and the fall colors start to show
up all around us, I’m reminded of my mother. My mother, Carolyn Estes, died of breast cancer in October 2002. She was 43
years old.
My mother was one of the sweetest, kindest persons that I have ever known. She raised me and my three sisters, alongside our father, in the fear of the Lord in a religious home. I probably inherited my musical talents from her as well. She was
a saint, and I count her among those in the Great Cloud of Witnesses.
The anniversary of her transition, All Saints’ Day, and Breast Cancer Awareness month will have all passed by the time
this is printed. There is a timeless truth that my mother taught me that I always keep in the forefront of my mind. My mother would always tell me when I was young, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” Being a singer herself, no doubt she
was referencing a Gospel song with that line as the refrain. Raymond Rasberry and Carl Hall of Broadway fame wrote this
song that was performed by Raymond’s group, the Raymond Rasberry Singers. Raymond was a musical genius at an early
age, learning piano by ear in the Ohio Pentecostal church where he grew up. Perhaps I reminded my mother of a young
Raymond, being so gifted and practicing in ministry at such a young age.
Raymond wrote a song full of truth, that the young me needed to hear. It’s a song full of truth that the 20-something me
needs to hear. Perhaps you need to hear it too:
Verse 1 –
You may build great cathedrals large or small,
you can build skyscrapers grand and tall,
you may conquer all the failures of the past,
but only what you do for Christ will last.
Chorus –
Remember only what You do for Christ will last.
Remember only what you do for Christ will last,
only what you do for Him will be counted at the end;
only what you do for Christ will last.
Verse 2 –
You may seek earthly power and fame,
the world might be impressed by your great name,
soon the glories of this life will all be past,
but only what you do for Christ will last.
Verse 3 –
Though your armies may control each hemisphere,
and your orbits out in space cause men to cheer,
your scientific knowledge may be vast,
but only what you do for Christ will last.
Verse 4 –
Though your song and prayers are heard and praised by man,
they've no meaning unless you've been born again,
sinner, heed these words, don't let this harvest pass,
for only what you do for Christ will last.
Only what you do for Christ will last, Rasberry wrote. I think there are two meanings here. One meaning implies aid
and another implies agency. If I am at home sick, you may offer to go to the grocery store for me. In this way you are helping me in a way that I may not be able to care for myself. On the other hand, when our delegates head up to Atlanta for the
annual diocesan council, they will be speaking for Trinity Episcopal Church. They are acting as agents in our name.
You see, none of the stuff we do is important or meaningful if it isn’t for Christ. If it doesn't bring God glory by
acting as Christ would act, it always comes up short on the
scale of righteousness. As creatures that bear the image of
God, we bear that image to the world we live in. On our
worst day, our actions should be an aid to the promulgation
of the Kingdom of God. Our hands and feet becomes those
that Jesus uses, and we act in His stead. Our empires and possessions pale in grandeur to the glorious calling that we have
- the privilege to minister to our neighbors in Jesus's name.
Our names and legacies may fade from human memory, but
the seeds of Christ's love we sow will last forever.