Monday, August 06, 2012

A Word of Thanks for "Bread for the Journey"

This note to the congregation of First Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C., appeared in the church News last week. The photos are by Juli Morrow and Bootie Cothran.
July 27, 2010

Friends,
The unveiling of Charlie Pate’s statue, “Bread for the Journey: Giving and Receiving,” on July 26 was a sweet culmination of years of stewardship visioning, planning, preaching, and teaching. I am grateful to everyone who had a hand in making it happen and especially to the Vacation Bible School children, teachers, and helpers who shared in the event.

Placed where children (and their parents) coming and going to Sunday School, choir, children’s activities and missions education, FBCK, and ITP can see it and touch it, Charlie’s portrayal in bronze of the little boy with five loaves and two fish in John 6 holding out his basket and looking up into the heavens is a wonderful children’s companion to the “Good Samaritan” statue in the Remembrance Garden. It is a visible reminder of the biblical witness that God “is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20) when we are willing to offer what we have and who we are to God.

I remain immeasurably grateful to the First Baptist congregation for your generosity, kindness, and prayers on the journey we have shared together; and I look forward to seeing the exciting “Great Things Still To Come” that God has in mind for you in the future.

Grace and peace,
Jeff


 

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