It was three or four Sundays ago that the scripture lesson from the book of Acts described life in the early church. Life was lived in community. The believers lived together, prayed together, ate together, and held all things in common. One commentary that I read, in interpreting the last of those characteristics noted that no one held on to their possessions as though they belonged only to them. There was a deep understanding that everything possessed was on loan from God and that the people of the community served as stewards of those possessions.

     I remind us of that text and what it teaches about community life to open the opportunity for us to share all things in common and to participate in the giving of what we have so that the kingdom of God can be proclaimed in word and deed.

     In about a month  adults and youth from four different Cumberland Presbyterian congregations will go to Ruskin, FL to spend a week of work, worship, fellowship and discovery with the people of Beth - El mission. We will provide leadership for Vacation Bible School and work on whatever projects outside that are needed to continue Beth - El?s mission to migrant farm workers and their families. Among those making the trip will be more than two dozen from First Presbyterian of Alabaster.

     This is a chance for you, the members of this community, to participate in the spread of the gospel. If you haven?t ordered a smoked Boston Butt from one of the youth or through the church office please do so ? that money goes directly into the mission trip fund. Likewise, you can determine to support the trip with a larger financial gift. Either way you decide to support the ongoing growth and nurture of our youth and children, you will be putting into practice that earliest understanding of the community of believers: What we possess belongs to God and to all God?s children.

     Grace and peace