September 15, 2019
The Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon, associate pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — The Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman
Do you ever wonder what is God calling you to do? The better question is, what is making you come alive? The needs in the world that God is calling us to address are all around us, but so are gifted children of God who are willing to respond.
Maybe you or someone you know is being called into leadership in your church or community or even into ministry as a pastor, educator, mission co-worker, scholar or nonprofit leader. The Rev. Kathryn Lester-Bacon, associate pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia, and graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, sums up her call to ministry as “a lot of love through the years and a lot of people who supported” her. Watch and listen to her at youtube.com/watch?v=E-8PKLprmro.
Joy results when people of faith find or expand their calling by using their gifts. I wonder how you will support this ministry and movement to create a culture of call for Presbyterians and support future ministers.
Resources for Theological Education Sunday: Lectionary-based bulletin liturgy as well as a selection of bulletin inserts and other information on the Theological Education Fund can be found on the Presbyterian Foundation website. The materials are downloadable.
The Rev. Dr. Lee Hinson-Hasty is senior director for Theological Education Funds Development for the Committee on Theological Education (COTE) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Presbyterian Foundation. Ordained in 1995, he has served as a campus minister and pastor in Virginia, as director of church relations at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina, and in theological education for the PC(USA) since 2005
Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, September 15, 2019, the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
First Reading Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
Psalm 14:1-7
Second Reading 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Gospel Luke 15:1-10
Today’s Focus: Theological Education/Seminary Sunday
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Kathy Francis, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Penny Franklin, Presbyterian Foundation
Let us pray:
God of our past, present and future, show us your imagined future for ourselves, our congregations, our families, our leaders, our ministers and our money. Give us the courage to share what we have in ways that are life-giving for all involved, including you. In the hope and peace of new life in Christ, amen.