Pastor's Page

From the Desk of Pastor Not Bruce Almighty ... O to Grace How Great a Debtor   

    Those who knew John Newton have suggested his hymn, "Amazing Grace" would serve well as his spiritual autobiography. Engraved on this former slave-captain-turned-Christian disciple and evangelist's tombstone is this epitaph: 

JOHN NEWTON, (Preacher)

Once an infidel and libertine

A servant of slaves in Africa,

Was, by the rich mercy

of our Lord and Savior

JESUS CHRIST,

restored, pardoned and

appointed to preach

the Gospel which he had

long labored to destroy.

     John Newton, was truly a person whose life was an acknowledgement of a great debt to God's grace.

     Like Newton, Christian disciples understand not only their debt to grace, but how to respond to such a debt. They respond through giving. Giving not as a response to a command, giving as an act of grace and an exercise of a great privilege!

     The Apostle Paul wrote several letters to Christian disciples living in the Greek city of Corinth. In his second letter to them, he encouraged them to contribute to an offering he was taking for the needy Christians living in Jerusalem. He wrote, "Bring also to completion this act of grace on your part." (2 Corinthians 8:6) And he added, Each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

     As America is the most affluent society in the history of the world, and Hudson is one of the more affluent communities in America, members of the Hudson United Methodist Church have a lot from which to give. The challenge to Christian disciples (regardless of where we live) has always been to put God first in the use of our time, abilities, and financial resources.

     Paul understood the correct sequence in giving is to first give oneself to the Lord. He lifted up a church community he knew of to his Corinthian congregation as an example. "They gave themselves first to the Lord. (2 Corinthians 8:5)

     One of the greatest spiritual challenges we now face as followers of Christ is how to live amongst such affluence without allowing materialism to choke off our spiritual life. We can continue to grow spiritually if we intentionally maintain a Christ-centered perspective in the use of our time, abilities, and material possessions. To assist all the members of the Hudson United Methodist Church to continue to offer their own grateful response to God's amazing grace, we will be focusing on providing programs of intentional faith development.

     Our Intentional Faith Development emphasis will begin by establishing a Cycle of Discipleship. We will kick it off this fall with four worship events starting Sunday, September 12. Each service of worship is being planned as a time of inspiration. Please plan on joining the celebration!

     Your partner in serving Christ,

     Pastor Bruce