As The Rev. Jim Clark has said many times in his sermons, God made us for joy, to experience joy ourselves, to bring joy to others, and to know ourselves as a joy to God. How does God bring joy to you? With a quiet walk early in the morning? With a child’s smile or touch of the hand? Or with a rowdy game of football?

I find joy when I walk onto the grounds of Saint Barnabas. I have many memories of wonderful times here, of God’s generosity and love for me. My experience has convinced me that God does walk among us here and calls us to love and be generous in response.

We are called to give of ourselves, our expertise, and our treasure. We are called to give our first fruits, to give cheerfully, and to give generously. This year let us also give joyfully.

We have four events planned for 11:30am, after the 10:15 services on Sunday: an expanded Missions Festival to include our ministries where we serve one another, a Chili Festival, and an opportunity to express our appreciation for Military Service. Then on Gratitude Sunday, the day we say Thank You to God and make a financial commitment to Saint Barnabas to further His mission and ministry, we will celebrate with a “Joy = Eat Dessert First” event. These events will ring familiar to some. However, we’ve planned a few surprises along the way!

How can you participate? Come to the events and invite your friends. Share your own culinary talents by cooking some chili, or making some coleslaw, or baking some cornbread. Contact me to learn more. Sign up to serve in a new way at the Missions and Ministries Festival. Write a note to a military serviceperson.

Finally, you can participate by sharing about a joyous moment for you at Saint Barnabas on the heart found on the inside of this flyer (click here to view). You can download it, print it, cut it out and bring it on Sunday, October 30, to the Missions and Ministries Festival. We will have ways to attach it to the wall between the Bookstore and The Other Cup. We are “Made for Joy,” let’s show it!

I look forward to a joyous celebration of our life together, to bringing joy to others, and to being examples of God’s generosity and love for us.

Joyously,

Phyllis Rector
Pledge 2023 Campaign Chair