During this season of resurrection and new life, it might seem odd that my thoughts are focused clearly on the concept of stewardship, which is generally a topic for the fall. If you recall what I wrote during “stewardship season” last October, you would note that the way we handle our time, talent, and resources is always a pertinent topic, and one that touches at the heart of who we are as the people of God in Christ Jesus. You might still wonder, however, why this Easter season has brought this concept to the forefront.
To answer that question, I turn to the Acts of the Apostles, from which we draw the first reading for each Sunday during Easter. This book is all about the Holy Spirit’s movement in the lives of people and communities in the early church, movement that is aimed at making the word of truth and gospel of grace known throughout the world. One important aspect of the Holy Spirit’s movement in the church was the increasing awareness that the church found itself in the position of stewarding the gospel and distributing it to a world in need. It is that type of stewardship that has my attention as we bask in the glow of resurrection and look ahead to the church’s celebration of the Holy Spirit’s continuing power and presence among us. As God’s people, called and claimed by Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion, we are entrusted with the responsibility of sharing the good news of grace and mercy, hope and joy, peace and love. That means living each day with the knowledge that we have something to give to the world, something that can make our community a better place to live, something that can stand up to competing messages that beat people down and make them feel unworthy of God’s love.
My reflection on the Acts of the Apostles brings me to ask some questions of myself and of us as the people of God here at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church: How are we stewarding the gospel of grace that has been commended to us as Christ’s Body? Are we doing enough to get the word out that the gospel is for everyone, that Christ’s death and resurrection were for everyone, that there is nothing in all creation that will separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord? Are we guilty of standing silent while others preach a message that excludes people from knowing the amazing grace of God made known to us in Jesus? What can we do as a congregation to welcome others to our community and to extend our community out to embrace others?
I offer these questions as food for thought during this Easter season. I think that we are doing a wonderful job here at St. Paul’s of living into our calling as God’s people, but we can always be looking for ways to think more deeply and more intentionally about our community and how we steward the gifts that we have been given. If you have any ideas to share or questions to ask, I invite you to visit with me and offer your thoughts, prayers, and dreams for this community.
May God’s richest blessings be with us all as we ponder anew what God is doing in our midst to bring in God’s reign!

Yours in Christ,
+ Pastor Andrew