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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Your Life Is A True Story"
October 16, 2008
Reading history can be fun as well as informative. This past week I've been
going through the historical records of our church in order to get ready for
a special service we are having. I've found all kinds of interesting tidbits.
For example Rev. Percy Kilmister (1929-1943) was often seen riding his
bicycle through Norwich. He made visits, did his shopping, and went to
meetings that way. People noticed too! There was an article in the Norwich
Bulletin dated September 28, 1941 that was quite humorous. It says that
"the Pedalling Parson" took to the bicycle on the appeal of Secretary Ickles
for gas conservation. But one neighbor said, "I think it will do you good Mr.
Kilmister. You are getting too fat."
I also found a note that struck a chord a little too close to home. Our very
first pastor, Rev. John Sterry (1800-1823), found himself on the hot seat in
1822. He had faithfully walked with the people from the days of their birth
as a congregation. He had helped them raise their first meetinghouse and
establish themselves as a force in city and a voice in the campaign to fight
the establishment of religion in the state. He had garnered the respect of the
community as well as the church. Then one day everything fell apart.
According to the records a certain group of members began to implore Mr.
Sterry to step down so they could pursue a "more youthful and more
modern minister." (Ouch!) When he refused, they began a campaign to
have him removed from office. The church was split over the matter and
the stress took its toll on the man and in the fall of 1823 he died.
In doing my research about these men, they became real to me. They were
no longer historical figures on a page with dates next to their names. They
became real people with lives that leaped off the page. Their struggles and
their passion for life was just like yours and mine. As a matter of fact their
stories touched mine and I immediately did two things. I shaved off my
mustache and I died my hair light brown. Then I went up to the gym. For
you see this Sunday I will become the longest serving pastor of the First
Baptist Church, passing both Percy Kilmister and John Sterry. I don't want
anyone who comes this Sunday to get any ideas and to look at me and think
I am getting too old or too fat to serve the church.
As I was reading these stories it struck me that as we get to know
someone, we should also be changed by that knowledge. Nowhere is that
more true than with our relationship to Jesus. The apostle Paul met him on
the Damascas Road and he turned around completely. The Samaritan
woman met Jesus at the well and she couldn't keep it to herself. Zaccheaus
met Jesus and he became the biggest giver of his day. Time after time we
see these encounters with Jesus and radical change being the result. His
love and acceptance flowed into their lives and they passed it on to others.
The other day I did a favor for someone and they asked my why I did it?
Without even thinking I responded, "Because Jesus did the same for me.
I'm simply passing it on." The truth is that as his followers, we were all
commanded to love one another. When Jesus was asked to name the
greatest commandment he said, "To love the Lord your God with all your
heart, your soul and your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself."
As a matter of fact he said that loving God and loving neighbor were two
parts of the same equation.
I think it is something to think about especially in these difficult times. As
we watch the economy stumble, as we pray for the war in Iraq to end, as
we standby and see homes go into foreclosure and jobs being lost we need
to reach out to one another. While members of Congress point fingers at
one another, we need to remember who holds the future. We are called to
share that good news with the world around us. We are all in this together.
Like we did in those dark days after September 11th, we need to encourage
each other and help one another wherever we can. We need to let our
relationship to Jesus shine through now more than ever so we can pass on
his love and make it real for those who are part of the story we are writing
with our lives. So let your light shine.
God bless! See you in Church. Cal
October 16, 2008
Reading history can be fun as well as informative. This past week I've been
going through the historical records of our church in order to get ready for
a special service we are having. I've found all kinds of interesting tidbits.
For example Rev. Percy Kilmister (1929-1943) was often seen riding his
bicycle through Norwich. He made visits, did his shopping, and went to
meetings that way. People noticed too! There was an article in the Norwich
Bulletin dated September 28, 1941 that was quite humorous. It says that
"the Pedalling Parson" took to the bicycle on the appeal of Secretary Ickles
for gas conservation. But one neighbor said, "I think it will do you good Mr.
Kilmister. You are getting too fat."
I also found a note that struck a chord a little too close to home. Our very
first pastor, Rev. John Sterry (1800-1823), found himself on the hot seat in
1822. He had faithfully walked with the people from the days of their birth
as a congregation. He had helped them raise their first meetinghouse and
establish themselves as a force in city and a voice in the campaign to fight
the establishment of religion in the state. He had garnered the respect of the
community as well as the church. Then one day everything fell apart.
According to the records a certain group of members began to implore Mr.
Sterry to step down so they could pursue a "more youthful and more
modern minister." (Ouch!) When he refused, they began a campaign to
have him removed from office. The church was split over the matter and
the stress took its toll on the man and in the fall of 1823 he died.
In doing my research about these men, they became real to me. They were
no longer historical figures on a page with dates next to their names. They
became real people with lives that leaped off the page. Their struggles and
their passion for life was just like yours and mine. As a matter of fact their
stories touched mine and I immediately did two things. I shaved off my
mustache and I died my hair light brown. Then I went up to the gym. For
you see this Sunday I will become the longest serving pastor of the First
Baptist Church, passing both Percy Kilmister and John Sterry. I don't want
anyone who comes this Sunday to get any ideas and to look at me and think
I am getting too old or too fat to serve the church.
As I was reading these stories it struck me that as we get to know
someone, we should also be changed by that knowledge. Nowhere is that
more true than with our relationship to Jesus. The apostle Paul met him on
the Damascas Road and he turned around completely. The Samaritan
woman met Jesus at the well and she couldn't keep it to herself. Zaccheaus
met Jesus and he became the biggest giver of his day. Time after time we
see these encounters with Jesus and radical change being the result. His
love and acceptance flowed into their lives and they passed it on to others.
The other day I did a favor for someone and they asked my why I did it?
Without even thinking I responded, "Because Jesus did the same for me.
I'm simply passing it on." The truth is that as his followers, we were all
commanded to love one another. When Jesus was asked to name the
greatest commandment he said, "To love the Lord your God with all your
heart, your soul and your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself."
As a matter of fact he said that loving God and loving neighbor were two
parts of the same equation.
I think it is something to think about especially in these difficult times. As
we watch the economy stumble, as we pray for the war in Iraq to end, as
we standby and see homes go into foreclosure and jobs being lost we need
to reach out to one another. While members of Congress point fingers at
one another, we need to remember who holds the future. We are called to
share that good news with the world around us. We are all in this together.
Like we did in those dark days after September 11th, we need to encourage
each other and help one another wherever we can. We need to let our
relationship to Jesus shine through now more than ever so we can pass on
his love and make it real for those who are part of the story we are writing
with our lives. So let your light shine.
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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