ST. LOUIS – J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), called on Presbyterians to “make some noise” in working for the kingdom of God – preaching that “our congregations are not poor. We have more than we need to do the work of faith.”
Nelson preached Oct. 15 during opening worship of the Mid Council Leaders Gathering, which is being held Oct. 15-17, is co-sponsored by the Board of Pensions and the Office of the General Assembly, and has brought about 350 people to St. Louis for inspiration, training and discussion of the on-the-ground realities in congregations, presbyteries and synods.
Opening worship included music, the celebration of communion, and a call for hope and faithfulness – a grounding in God’s promises before the mid council leaders began the hard work of talking about membership trends, finances and more. Nelson preached from the second account of creation in Genesis and from the 6th chapter of Mark’s gospel — “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?”
Nelson encouraged Presbyterians to follow God’s call into places of need.
“We have all we need if we trust the Lord,” he preached.
Here is a collection of photos from opening worship.
Photos by Jodi Craiglow and Leslie Scanlon
