Church feels called to life of service
December 20, 2019
Rev. Gonzalez Gertz leading worship.
The Rev. Edwin Gonzalez Gertz says Light of Hope Presbyterian Church in Marietta, Georgia, didn’t hesitate to become a Matthew 25 church. It provided them the language to articulate who they are.
When he began an eight-week series of sermons on Matthew 25, church members were energized and began to see their mission purpose in new ways. They didn’t hesitate to share it with their pastor. At a recent service, for the invitation and moment of confession, they used this:
“All: God of the people, you have called us to walk humbly before you and to share in the struggle with the least of these, yet we have failed to live up to this call.
“Today, we come to you asking your Spirit to empower us to be agents of transformation for the world. Make us a vessel from which all the oppressed can find food and the living waters of God, who calls us to live a life of service with a tender and compassionate heart. In Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen!”
One church member wrote Gonzalez Gertz later to share his reflection. “ ‘God, who calls us to live a life of service.’ That just hit me so strongly. I went back and read the whole thing again and again. And saw all of it. That’s why I love our pastor. I’m ready to be part of a Matthew 25 church.”
“After the foundational message, we began to talk about how we are going to act, what is our posture, what is our stance,” said Gonzalez Gertz. “I take the answer from Philippians 2 to have a tender and compassionate heart as we serve others. And to consider others more valuable than ourselves. It’s difficult, but that is the stance that Jesus took when he talks about helping others.”
This congregation, which has not yet reached 100 members, believes the ways they serve their community embodies the three areas of emphasis that PMA has identified: eliminating poverty, fighting structural racism and building congregational vitality.
“In church vitality, we have developed an M&M worship,” he said. (Yes, there really are M&Ms in the offering plate.) “Our worship style is meaningful, memorable, inclusive, participatory and inspiring. In dealing with racism, we dialogue, invite guests, read books and are learning to understand others rather than to seek to be understood. In dealing with poverty, we provide a nine-week academic summer camp for children. We have a cleaning supply pantry, food cards for our homeless community and advocate for senior homelessness.”
The church sanctuary and altar are non-traditional.
The church created a “Breakfast in a Bag” program for the low-income and immigrant neighborhoods within their community that they deliver on Saturday morning along with free books. They also created a SPIN program (Service to People In Need), directed by one of the elders who is a licensed clinical therapist and two registered nurses.
“This program takes many forms and continues to expand,” said Gonzalez Gertz. “For instance, we will go to an apartment complex and see if the management feels their tenants might benefit from a class in parenting, budgeting or how to get a job in this country. We do it in their community rooms. In addition to helping, it has brought several new families into the church.”
The sanctuary has a concrete, acid-washed floor with a platform in the middle lined with chairs and tables in the back. There are no pews. The focus is a large, wooden cross at the side of the room, but the pastor conducts his services from the middle of the room.
When Gonzalez Gertz arrived at the church, the plan was to offer both a traditional and a contemporary service. “Personally, I have moved beyond those categories in my previous congregation experimenting with a blended service where we do it all — and now we do,” he said.
Gonzalez Gertz said the enthusiasm for mission beyond the church walls continues to grow. Is he concerned about burnout? “My only problem is getting them to slow down.”
Kathy Melvin, Director of Mission Communications, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Daily Readings
Morning Psalms 102; 148
First Reading 1 Samuel 2:1b-10
Second Reading Titus 2:1-10
Gospel Reading Luke 1:26-38
Evening Psalms 130; 16
Today’s Focus: Matthew 25 Congregation
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Jon Moore, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Wayne Moore, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Let us pray:
God of love and surprises, as you bring a tree with shelter enough for all from the tiny mustard seed, you also bring great ministry from humble beginnings. Help us to follow you in our daily lives, trusting you not only to redeem us but also to guide our steps by our loving purpose. Amen.
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