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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Give a Little Help to the Stranger"
February 21, 2008
I didn't wear a trench coat, top hat and sunglasses to disguise myself
when I walked into the Discount Liquor Store last Wednesday. Seeing a
Baptist minister enter a package store can generate all kinds of wild gossip.
I probably should have done something especially when I walked out of
there holding a bottle sized bag under my arm. In case anyone saw me I
wanted you to know the actual story behind my dalliance with the
forbidden fruits.
The Norwich Rotary Club is having a charity auction next month to raise
money for some of our community based projects. For example, every
year we outfit close to five hundred kids with new winter coats in the
greater Norwich area. In an effort to promote literacy in our schools, we
provide dictionaries to elementary school children across the city. Over the
years, the Rotary Club has been involved in the community in many ways
from offering college scholarships to hands on building projects. As a
member of the club, I was simply doing my part by providing a bottle of
wine for a special auction item, which will become a complete wine cellar.
Now I am not a drinker by any stretch of the imagination. I have seen the
devastating effects that alcohol can have on a family. My mother was an
alcoholic and she died a tragic death due to her inability to control herself.
So the last time I went in to buy anything in a package store I was a
twenty two year old college student. Things have changed quite a bit since
then and I had no idea what to expect.
I was greeted by the girl at the cash register. She asked if she could help
and I told her I needed a bottle of wine. She smiled and asked if I had a
preference, red or white, domestic or imported. I glanced around the store
and immediately felt overwhelmed at the thought of trying to choose
something I knew nothing about. I suddenly realized how foolish it was
for me to do this. I was ill equipped to even make the simplest choice. I
really needed her help.
That's when I remembered a name from the past. I asked her if they
carried a brand called Boone's Farm. It used to be the wine of choice for
poor college students. She giggled and said, "Oh, you are going for the
good stuff!" She must have seen my puzzled expression because she
immediately responded, "I mean it's got a good price." How could I go
wrong at $3.50 a bottle?
As I was heading down the street, I replayed that scene over in my head. I
really felt out of place in that store. I know there is a big difference in the
settings, but it made me think of people who show up at worship after
being away for many years. We take the things we do every weekend for
granted. The readings and responses flow so freely from our lips. Standing
up, sitting down and kneeling are often done without thought. The
announcements we make seem to be aimed at insiders with "religious
language" and codes that only a regular would know. What is a fellowship
hour? What is a deacon's fund? What is an acolyte?
We need to remember to practice the act of hospitality in our churches and
synagogues each week. That woman at the register went out of her way
to be helpful to me. We need to do the same for the visitors that drop in on
us. Some of them may be visiting for the first time in years and may need
some help. Let's remember to greet them with a smile, usher them into a
seat and help them find the prayer or hymn book. And if they ask a foolish
question or seem a bit out of place, then just remember that someday you
may find yourself in a similar position. Then don't hesitate to do what you
would want someone to do for you. In doing so you will be a blessing to
them.
God bless! See you in church! Cal
February 21, 2008
I didn't wear a trench coat, top hat and sunglasses to disguise myself
when I walked into the Discount Liquor Store last Wednesday. Seeing a
Baptist minister enter a package store can generate all kinds of wild gossip.
I probably should have done something especially when I walked out of
there holding a bottle sized bag under my arm. In case anyone saw me I
wanted you to know the actual story behind my dalliance with the
forbidden fruits.
The Norwich Rotary Club is having a charity auction next month to raise
money for some of our community based projects. For example, every
year we outfit close to five hundred kids with new winter coats in the
greater Norwich area. In an effort to promote literacy in our schools, we
provide dictionaries to elementary school children across the city. Over the
years, the Rotary Club has been involved in the community in many ways
from offering college scholarships to hands on building projects. As a
member of the club, I was simply doing my part by providing a bottle of
wine for a special auction item, which will become a complete wine cellar.
Now I am not a drinker by any stretch of the imagination. I have seen the
devastating effects that alcohol can have on a family. My mother was an
alcoholic and she died a tragic death due to her inability to control herself.
So the last time I went in to buy anything in a package store I was a
twenty two year old college student. Things have changed quite a bit since
then and I had no idea what to expect.
I was greeted by the girl at the cash register. She asked if she could help
and I told her I needed a bottle of wine. She smiled and asked if I had a
preference, red or white, domestic or imported. I glanced around the store
and immediately felt overwhelmed at the thought of trying to choose
something I knew nothing about. I suddenly realized how foolish it was
for me to do this. I was ill equipped to even make the simplest choice. I
really needed her help.
That's when I remembered a name from the past. I asked her if they
carried a brand called Boone's Farm. It used to be the wine of choice for
poor college students. She giggled and said, "Oh, you are going for the
good stuff!" She must have seen my puzzled expression because she
immediately responded, "I mean it's got a good price." How could I go
wrong at $3.50 a bottle?
As I was heading down the street, I replayed that scene over in my head. I
really felt out of place in that store. I know there is a big difference in the
settings, but it made me think of people who show up at worship after
being away for many years. We take the things we do every weekend for
granted. The readings and responses flow so freely from our lips. Standing
up, sitting down and kneeling are often done without thought. The
announcements we make seem to be aimed at insiders with "religious
language" and codes that only a regular would know. What is a fellowship
hour? What is a deacon's fund? What is an acolyte?
We need to remember to practice the act of hospitality in our churches and
synagogues each week. That woman at the register went out of her way
to be helpful to me. We need to do the same for the visitors that drop in on
us. Some of them may be visiting for the first time in years and may need
some help. Let's remember to greet them with a smile, usher them into a
seat and help them find the prayer or hymn book. And if they ask a foolish
question or seem a bit out of place, then just remember that someday you
may find yourself in a similar position. Then don't hesitate to do what you
would want someone to do for you. In doing so you will be a blessing to
them.
God bless! See you in church! Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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