HOLY CROSS EPISCOPAL CHURCH:ACCEPTING GOD’S CALL TO BE A GENEROUS COMMUNITY

Generous comes from the late Middle English denoting nobility of birth

English use of the word generous up to and during the 16th century reflect aristocracy noble lineage or high birth.

During the 17th century, generosity was associated with a nobility

of spirit – through qualities that did not necessarily derive from noble birth, such as gallantry, courage, strength, gentleness and fairness.

During the 18th century, generosity evolved to mean open–handedness in the giving of money and possessions to others. Since that time, generosity has evolved to being an achieved mark of character, expressed through action. (Smith 2009).

• In Buddhism, it is one of the Ten Perfections and is the antidote to the self-chosen poison called greed.

• For Judaism and Christianity, it is known as charity, and a response to God’s generosity in the act of creation.

• It is called daan in Eastern religious scriptures.• In Islam, the Quran states that whatever one gives away with the

intention of pleasing God, He will replace it.

The Bible records numerous persons who were invited by God to fulfill God’s promise:

• Abraham channeled God’s abundance

• Moses channeled God’s law

• Ruth was an outside channel of God’s hope

• Mary was the bearer of God

Jesus = God incarnate

Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. Matthew 16:25

Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” Luke 6:30

The paradox about generosity is that giving is reported to inspire greater satisfaction and happiness for the giver.

Conversely, clinging to possessions is reported to engender feelings of dissatisfaction.

phi·lan·thro·py

a desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

A generous faith community…

• welcomes individual gifts of its members.• values a variety of gifts.• reflects a close connection with God.

How do we channel God’s generosity?

Morning Prayer

Ash Wednesday Ashes to Go

Blessing of the Animals

Lenten Altar Frontal by Daniel Bissler 2016

Tons of Rice and Beans, Gallons of Cooking Oil to RefugeeNet in San Diego

Over 1800 We Care Bags to First-time clients of Meals-on-Wheels

Healthy Snacks to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton

Outreach to St. Michael’s Food Pantry for lunches to homeless members of Carlsbad

Thanksgiving Lunch at the North County LGBTQ Resource Center

Excess food from local food drive to RefugeeNet in San Diego

Thousands of pounds of food to La Posada de Guadalupe Men’s Shelter in Carlsbad

Nigerian Delegation Visit

Chicago Cubs win Worlds Series for firsts time in Lee’s 101-year lifetime

Godly Play Intergenerational Learning and Fun

Free Hugs at the Carlsbad Village Faire –Shared Booth with Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Happy to set up and tear down.Hugging…not so much.

Joint Christmas Eve and Hanukkah Service with Congregation B’nai Tikvah

Free Hugs at Pride by the Beach

Five U.S. Marines on Marine Corps Birthday

Graduation from Dr. Robyn Hill’s Free Spanish Class

Bike-riding 101

Whether they have gone to the next life….

Or to their next chapter of this life….

They are still with us. They live in and through us…because we are His Body, the Body of Christ.

For unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

John 12:24

This is what it means to be the Body of Christ...

To channel God’s boundless love and generosity, to comfort the grieving, bless the dying, feed the hungry, visit the lonely, heal the sick, clothe the naked, teach the children, and welcome ALL of God’s children.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7