August 4, 2025

Yesterday’s Gospel from Luke 12:13–21 challenged us to think about what it means to be “rich toward God.” Often, we begin with ourselves – what we can give or do. I’ve been thinking about Nadia Bolz-Weber’s invitation to look at it from a different starting point: How has God been rich toward us?

At St. Mary’s that richness shows up in so many ways: the faithful generosity of our volunteers, the passion of your faith lives, the gifted staff who serve with skill and heart, the beauty and bounty of our garden, and the deep desire to grow closer to God. Yesterday, I saw that abundance in the Garden Committee’s wonderful vegetable sale, and in the sweet fellowship after worship – thank you, Jane Martin and Helen Malone, for hosting the ice cream social. I also felt it in the gift of rest you gave me last week: a whole week as a Cape Cod tourist – visiting beaches, reading long-overdue books, eating (a lot), and napping (even more).

And now, let’s keep celebrating the abundance God has given us: Join us for our Summer Cookout on Friday, August 15, from 5–7 p.m.! We’re firing up the grill, sharing great food, and enjoying good company. Bring a friend, bring your family, invite a neighbor – this is for the whole community. All are welcome!

We are already rich toward God because God has first been rich toward us. May we live out of that abundance in the week ahead.

Faithfully,