Five Acorns
27 October 2022
Now to God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3.20-21
When we first moved into our Peachtree City home, the oak tree in the front yard did not produce acorns. Now it does. Gobs of acorns! A photo from 12 years proves that both my children and the tree by which they stood for the first day of school have “deepened their roots and broadened their shoots.” What a gift to see God’s gift of growth over the years!
So tiny, beautiful acorns are packed with potential. If blessed with the right conditions, the little acorn will thrive and grow into a mighty oak providing food, shelter, and life supporting a whole ecosystem.
May I share with you five acorns? Five COS initiatives packed with growth potential, but at the moment which are pretty small and require (our) good soil and support? Five ministry acorns for our beloved congregation that are bubbling with promise, but to be honest with you, have woken me up at 3.30 in the morning when I’m tempted to worry about their success? As I share these five acorns with you, would you be willing to lift them in prayer as you read?
Acorn #1:
Finding a new Minister of Music. As you’ve read, we can’t wait to celebrate on Nov. 13 David Beecher’s fantastic ministry among us. But as we prepare for his retirement at the end of the year, identifying a new lead musician is proving challenging, as predicted by our bishop in an era when fewer people are studying organ. Our search team is expanding both its membership and network-building and we diligently partner with the Holy Spirit, trusting we’ll be led to the new dynamic leader already selected by the Lord for our future. In addition, we’re working hard to construct an interim plan in terms of who will actually play the organ and piano come January as well as complete all the organizational tasks David B. provided.
Acorn #2:
Our “Feed My Sheep” Stewardship Series. Congregations are crazy in their approach. In terms of organizational funding, churches don’t proceed on governmental budget guarantees. No signed contracts from customers ensure the way. Not one penny is guaranteed. Simply, people of faith led by the Holy Spirit to share their resources voluntarily and joyfully to sponsor what they discern is their God-given mission for the new year. We’re excited for our fall series celebrating what a difference COS makes locally, regionally, and globally, and how Jesus challenges Peter and us to feed his sheep!
Acorn #3:
Our Sanctuary Renewal Project. Through our “X Marks the Spot: Worship Treasures” worship series, we’ve refreshed our historical and theological awareness of why and how Christians worship the way we do. A small group has accomplished much with liturgical design-architect, Alberto Portela, and will share high level plans tomorrow evening to the “Team of 20.” What next steps will our leadership team propose as we seek to glorify God and welcome visitors better by renewing and refreshing our traditional sanctuary?
Acorn #4:
Committed to Connecting Among a Culture of Disconnection. Next week, I’m zooming with other ELCA Senior Pastor to explore “Long-Covid” dynamics challenging congregational health. Across the country the trends are clear: many once-very-active church participants have not returned to church, or if they have, with diminished frequency. Staff morale is often down as dual in-person/remote worship and connection requirements increase and volunteer availability decreases. Hearts of councils and lay leaders struggle balancing their hopes of reaching the dis- or less-connected alongside the necessity of investing in visitors and the future, both of which surely are coming.
One thing is clear: these are days of cultural reformation. For those whose hearts are motivated by a Reformational and Resurrected Lord, these are dynamic days to lead, invest, explore, and make a difference! Like a tiny oak that struggles in years of challenge, can we keep rooted and growing toward the season of greater abundance?
Acorn #5:
YOU. We rejoice that many of you wake up “alive, alert, awake, enthusiastic” and are healthy in mind, body and spirit, counting your blessings. But each week, Pastor Miriam and I are entrusted by our faith family with many stories of death, sickness, worry, and challenge. We acknowledge that many of you still struggle with long-covid effects of anxiety, disconnection and malaise. We are rooting for you and holding you in prayer as your fight the good fight. We know the Lord is working to see you through this season of drought into more joyful fruit.
Well, if you’re still reading, thank you! What do you think about my five acorns? Five tiny comments, but packed with potential and meaning for COS and God’s kingdom. Would you do me the favor of praying for each one? Would you pray that COS is good soil for these little seeds to take root and flourish according to God’s design? As, you open your hand in prayer, notice you’ve got five fingers—one for each acorn.
Maybe you’re like me in terms of your acorns—while most of the time you’re excited about the growth to come, every once in a while, you worry if things will truly work out. And then maybe like me, you need to claim God’s Word of assurance. So, with that in mind, let me offer this closing prayer, based on Ephesians 3:
Let us pray:
Gracious God, in these challenging days 16 we pray that, according to the riches of Your glory, we may be strengthened in our inner being with power through Your Spirit 17 and that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, as we are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 We pray that we may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that we may be filled with all of Your fullness. 20 Now to You through whose power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Tending to God’s acorns with you,
Pastor Fritz
