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An Indiana pastor, Rev. Tozer, used the following illustration, showing how money often comes between people and God. He said that you can take two dimes, the smallest of coins, and shut out the view of inspiring, panoramic landscapes (and there is WAY more panorama in the Northwest than there is in Indiana!). Go to the mountains, and just hold the dimes closely in front of your eyes – the mountains are still there, but we cannot see them at all because there is a dime shutting off the vision in each eye.
It does not take a lot of money to come between us and God. Just a little, positioned in the wrong place, will impair our view of the world, and even how we view our own lives. In the world this season, money seems to be in front of our eyes and our awareness all the time. Money is also rightly part of our life together in the Church. The difference is that, in the Church, what we do with money is rightly recognized as a statement of what we believe, what we value. The widow's small coin, given in faith, represented all she had, her whole life (Mark 12:41ff). The homemaker who, having lost one silver coin, sweeps the house until she finds it, represents God searching for us amidst the clutter of life (Luke 14: 8ff). Jesus knew the value of money, lost and found. This Advent, as we look for him coming into the world once again, we hope we will not be distracted from knowing that God values each one of us more than silver and gold. God wants to find us, in this and every season. And in our connection to Christ, we find true peace and joy.
Join us at Savage Memorial in making our way to God this season. May we all find the richness of faith together.
Shalom ~ Chris Grewe
PARISH NEWS
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Welcome
Grace and peace to you, in the name of Jesus Christ! Church family: for some people, these two words are synonymous. For others, the family in which they grew up included a particular church, the celebrations and familiar feel of church. For some, the words conjure up a closed picture of a clan you have to be born or marry into. But that is not us. At Savage Memorial, we are proud to be a church family. For us, that means people of all generations are valued and included. That means the ties of love are continually extended to include new life, new people, new experiences. Church family means we eat together, celebrate together, cry together, and grow together in faith. We welcome folks of every worldly condition into our church family, regardless of race, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or economic condition. We are committed to the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. We are members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and as such are a worship-centered, Biblically-ordered, and Spirit-led expression of the larger church. Connections to other believers, congregations, and ministries keep us personally involved with Christ’s worldwide work. In worship, fellowship, and mission, we joyfully give all praise and honor and glory to God. Our people are connected to the world and our communities. Thoughtful awareness and genuine engagement with the workings of the world are valued here. We come from around the corner, across the country, and the world over, and we relish the diversity of a family with broad roots. Our dedication has long been captured in the line – To the Glory of God and the Service of our Community. Yes, that’s us. We invite you to join us as we offer ourselves to God and are prepared for God’s service in the world. There is a place for you at our family table. Shalom
– Susan & Chris Grewe, co-pastors |
Our Church's address:Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church 1740 SE 139th Avenue Portland, OR 97233-2311 |
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