Pastor's Pen

Today is the second Sunday of Congregational Care month.  In today's Spirit, you will see again articles pertaining to the good work of those who make caring for, and tending to, the needs of our church family their primary responsibility.  A feature of congregational care is lifting up the women of Shiloh.  

March is celebrated throughout the world as Women's History Month.  We are grateful to God for the women who have pioneered, blazed trails, and shown the world what women can do when they are led by God's Spirit.  We offer our congratulations to all the women who sacrifice and labor to make Shiloh's ministry of caring and compassion one of the most effective anywhere.

On the second Sunday of March, we focus intentionally on Women's Day activities.  We thank God for the two women who will provide the preached Word at 7:45 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. At the first service our own NaKeisha Silver will break the bread of life with us.  At 10:55 a.m., the Reverend Gloria Miller, a sister and colleague in ministry of many years, will preach the Gospel.  We know these mighty women of God will bless us with powerful messages.

The third Sunday of Congregational Care month will be the 10th anniversary of the dedication of our sanctuary.  It does not seem possible that 10 years ago we cut ribbons and joyously entered our new house of worship.  This year, the third Sunday of March is also Palm Sunday.  What a marvelous time for us to reenter our commitment to care for and keep this facility that God has given to us.  

For these 10 years we have marked the anniversary of our church with our victory marches.  At the end of both services, we march around the table and present our sacrificial gifts so we can pay down our mortgage and accelerate our work to eradicate the debt on our building.  The Bible is clear that we are required to give both tithes and offerings.  Offerings are our sacrificial gifts through faith.  

God blessed us to build an outstanding worship facility.  The responsibility is ours to reduce this debt and free ourselves to expand our ministry in other creative ways.  Malachi 3:8 states clearly, “Will a man (or woman) rob God?” On this third Sunday, Palm Sunday and the 10th anniversary of our sanctuary, let us take robbing God off the table.  Let us honor God with a full, heartfelt commitment to be the best stewards we can possibly be.