Let’s talk about some May flowers – and their connection to the life of GCC:

            The first flower I would mention is the tulip. This is a beautiful flower that comes up each year in the early Spring. Don’t we thoroughly enjoy seeing the evidence of new life that returns every year with this flower and other bulbs that signal warmer weather and longer days? What a great reminder that God is the giver of all that is good.

            The first Sunday of May at Gladstone Christian Church has been designated Renewal Sunday. This is going to be an opportunity for all of us to be reminded of what God is building here through us and to renew our commitment to that work. Just as the tulip might remind us that God is constantly about the work of bringing new life, we need to renew ourselves to the task of that ministry. We have made a commitment to provide a place that others might hear the Gospel that brings life. That commitment includes our financial obligation to pay for it. We have a $10,000.00 loan payment due each month. Now that may sound like a huge debt, but it really isn’t out of our reach. We currently have 252 families associated with this Body. If every family were able to give just $50.00 per month we would easily meet this loan payment! Can you give something every month above your regular giving so that we might meet this obligation?

            The second flower is the rose. They come in all colors, fragrances and are a delight to behold. Just like mothers. May 14 is Mother’s Day. It is always a privilege to honor the one who gave us physical life, and who hopefully, has been a great inspiration in our spiritual life. Let us not forget to say “I love you” to our moms.

            And appropriately the following Saturday is the annual Steps-for-Life Walk-a-thon sponsored by the Pregnancy Resource Center. This is a great opportunity to take a stand for life and support a ministry that both promotes birth and family, and provides help to those for whom pregnancy may not be a time of rejoicing. Look for the Steps For Life table in the foyer. Be a sponsor for one of the Walk-a-thon participants or take part yourself on May 20. Volunteer at the local PRC office. There are lots of ways we can honor the precious gift of life God has given us.

            On May 21 we will be honoring our teachers and volunteers here at GCC. What better flower to give a teacher than a daisy. These flowers certainly burst with brightness and joy, just as our teachers do when they open up God’s Word to us, teaching us the wonders of the Bible and the truth of the Gospel. Please see page 5 in this issue for the details for our Education Ministry Appreciation Day. Tell your or your child’s teacher how much you are grateful for the work they do to prepare exciting Bible lessons, and that you are praying for them as they correctly handle the Word of Truth.

            Finally, the iris and Memorial Day. Certainly this is a beautiful flower to commemorate those who have given their lives so that we might be free. Let us pause to give thanks to God for the freedom we have in this country, and for those who paid for that freedom. Let us also be mindful of our current soldiers and their families who serve us and our country.

            The greatest memorial, however, is celebrated every Sunday as we gather as the Body of Christ to remember the sacrifice of our Lord, that His body was broken, and His blood shed, that we might find the ultimate freedom from sin, and new life in His Spirit. Let us never forget the cost He was willing to pay so that we might serve Him. Unfortunately there are millions who do not know or do not care what He did for them. But we can tell them, and explain to them what He did so that they also might give Him thanks, and give Him their lives as a living memorial.

            Don’t you just love May flowers? Next time you look at one you might see something that reminds you of God’s love. And you might think of wonderful ways to express that love to others.

Denis Whittet