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September 11, 2013   Sharing in the gospel Click here. CONTENTS Hold hope Opening prayer Assurance Jonathan Shively speaking on the last day of National Older Adult Conference 2013. Guest speaker Edward L. Wheeler, president emeritus of Christian Theological Seminary and an ordained minister of the Baptist World Alliance.   Sharing laughter during worship at NOAC. Photos by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford.  Hold hope Adapted from a reflection on National Older Adult Conference by Jonathan Shively As Rich Mouw suggested, perhaps NOAC is best appreciated as a work of art—seen through the lens of love. As Christians, our narrative is shaped by the reconciling, healing love of God extended to us through Jesus Christ. How does our story tell of this love? There are many memories to hold onto from our time at NOAC, experiences to write into our story: the fellowship, beautiful melodies and harmonies, and breaking of bread, the pulsing of life, the exercise of our minds, the shaping of our souls in prayer, and the laughter of sacred space and the tears of holy wellsprings. However, our text for the week, Isaiah 58, reminds us to treat what we know and have seen with humility and reverence. Diana Butler Bass suggests that to remember too fondly in a manner that limits our hope for the future is only nostalgia—the deadly condition of giving up on the possibility that God will do a new thing in our life and in this world. The loss of hope means that we have given up on the promises of healing for ourselves, our communities, God’s church, and the world. But this week we have given testimony to a belief and participated in a confidence that God still has the power and the purposefulness to loose the chains, untie the ropes, set the oppressed free, extend compassion, overcome the forces of this earth, confront evil with its own destructive purposes, heal the sick, and comfort the broken-hearted. To hold hope is to recognize the healing that springs forth, to be warmed by the light that shines out. To hold hope is to know that (as Dr. Ed Wheeler said) “We are God’s children, and we are loved, and we are sent out into the world because God needs us to love it back.” To hold hope is, as Ted Swartz encouraged us, to reach out, to grab hands, and to hold on. It was a blessing to be together at NOAC, to celebrate it as a sabbath period, to rest and be blessed, ready to return to our ordinary lives hallowed, consecrated to the work of hope, refreshed in the Lord, renewed of body, mind, and spirit, fountain heads where healing springs forth. Read this reflection in its entirety atwww.brethren.org/noac . Support Older Adult Ministriesof the Church of the Brethren by giving to Congregational Life Ministries at www.brethren.org/give . Forward to a friend Back to top View the Mission Offering video. Opening prayer God of joy and abundance Source of hope and strength Author of peace and justice Open our hearts to you and to each other Open our eyes and ears to your ongoing story Open our lives to our neighbors near and far Inspire us with your living word Empower us with your wisdom Connect us with your mission Your new creation of abundance and shalom For all people to share Amen —This prayer is one of several worship resources written by Matt McKimmy for the Church of the Brethren Mission Offering. Read them all at www.brethren.org/missionoffering . Roofing together at a Brethren Disaster Ministries project in Haiti.  Photo by Brethren Disaster Ministries. Giving is central to the Christian life and it takes many forms.Photo by Mandy Garcia.  View the promotional video for the 2014 National Youth Conference.Video by Dave Sollenberger. AssuranceBy Josh Brockway Sixteen years ago I was standing on a roof in the sweltering August sun. As a soon-to-be-senior in high school, I was earning money for college, thanks to a member of my congregation who had offered me the roofing job. It paid well, it was outdoors, and it involved power tools—a young man's dream. On top of that, I later learned that the job was a true gift of love. I didn't know it at the time, but my mentor had devised a plan that would allow him to change lives, do work he enjoyed, and teach a young man new skills. He charged each of our customers a standard rate of labor and paid me part of that income. What I didn't know was that he used the rest to create a scholarship for me and the other youth in our congregation. In several of his letters, the apostle Paul praised the generosity of the Macedonian churches. These communities sent gifts to church leaders in Jerusalem, even though they likely had never met. They knew there would be no financial "return on investment," yet they gave with assurance that the Spirit at work in their community was the same one connecting them to sisters and brothers far away. They gave with confidence that that same Spirit would use their gifts to make a difference, despite the distance. Such generosity was much like the kind I received on the roof that summer, where I learned a lot more than how to keep a row of shingles straight. My mentor taught me that giving is central to the Christian life, and that it takes many forms: knowledge, wisdom, time, and money. My life was changed by his generosity. Years later, I am still blessed by seeing lives changed thanks to gifts of love. The Spirit works through all kinds of ministries that you support, including those that encourage young people in their faith journeys. Ministry Summer Service, Christian Citizenship Seminar, National Youth Conference, Young Adult Ministries, workcamps, and many others are possible only because of your generosity. So when you give, may you do so with the same confidence as the Macedonians and as my mentor, with assurance that your gifts of love will reach farther than you can imagine. Josh Brockway is director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship. To support all of the life changing ministries of the Church of the Brethren visitwww.brethren.org/give. Forward to a friend Back to top www.brethren.org/deacons “Jesus offers us the gift of transformation every day; truly, every moment of every day we have a chance for do-overs, chances to make amends, to get better at doing the right thing the first time around. Today, right now, think about one of those things you’ve been meaning to do, something that might help another feel Jesus' comfort and peace, and just do it.” —Donna Kline in last month's Deacon Update. Do you have a story about how you and your congregation practice stewardship? E-mail it to mgarcia@brethren.org ! eBrethren: Stories of Brethren Stewards, is produced every other week by the Church of the Brethren's donor communications team. Send feedback to mgarcia@brethren.org or call 847-742-5100 ext. 361. Thanks for reading!  Watch for our next issue on September 25, 2013.