The Good Samaritan Community Soup Kitchen in Brownsburg

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. 

This morning I sit here very thankful for opportunities to serve people. Last Sunday we announced that we, as a church, will begin The "Good Samaritan Community Soup Kitchen" at our church each Saturday at noon. The Bible says, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" In much of our region, we have people who live in poverty conditions. We have a responsibility to do our part in helping these people.

When we serve others we are actually serving God. Much of the evangelical church today is preaching a message of living in luxury and if were not careful we will overlook the people Jesus instructed us to reach. I feel strongly that God is more interested in seeing His people give and serve and wait upon others. This is the true heart of God. 

Here's a thought; Luke  16 tells the story of Lazarus. It reads, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. I've often thought about this in relation to the Church and it's responsibility. Consider for a moment that the rich man's table represents the Church, Lazarus represents the poor and the "dogs" represent all those community service organizations that are doing what we, the Church, are supposed to be doing. Thank God for the community food banks, soup kitchens, etc. that reach out to the poor, but that is really OUR job as the Church. It's not the "dogs" duty to nurture and look after the poor! Don't misunderstand. Thank God they do! But it's really the first obligation of the Church of Jesus Christ! Jesus instructed us to feed the poor, help the widows and be Good Samaritans!

So let's do it!!

God has given us a beautiful facility right in the heart of Brownsburg and we feel it needs to be used to show our region that "We Care". Be thankful today for the part you can play in helping others.

Saturday, December 13th, will be the launch date for the "The Good Samaritan Community Soup Kitchen". If you would like to contribute in any way to this worthy project or you would like to volunteer, give us a call:  1-450-533-9161

Let's be THANKFUL as we serve together!

Another word fitly spoken.....

The Pill
(One of my fondest memories of Bro. Lloyd Williams)

It all began one day round about the year nineteen hundred and eighty-eight.  Three wonderful brothers, Lloyd Williams and Grovener Bradford and I had been golfing at the Nackawic Golf Club not too far from our home in Springfield, New Brunswick. After our round of golf I invited them to our house for a visit. I remember calling Esther to give her a heads up that they were coming. She said she would have supper ready for us. What a girl!

Just before we got into our cars Lloyd asked if Esther knew Grovener. I said, “No I don’t think so.” He said said, “Let’s play a little bit!” This was the real Lloyd Williams doing his finest work. For you who knew this incredible man, you know how much he loved to pull pranks and make people laugh.

He suggested we introduce Grovener as “not all there”……kinda looney, if you know what I mean! We were certain it wouldn’t be too hard for Grovener to act that part! HAAA!!!

When we arrived at the house I went in first, at the instructions of Lloyd, to warn Esther about this “loony guy” that was with Lloyd that he was taking care of from a Fredericton institution.

I explained that he wasn’t all there and that we needed to be careful of a few things. First, that we don’t laugh at him or make fun of him as he is very sensitive and his feelings get hurt really easy and secondly that he has ”sticky fingers” and we need to make sure he does not try to steal anything.

Esther’s countenance changed into this serious young lady wondering what we were in for. She was a bit concerned that I would even suggest that she may make fun of this man. She assured me quite sternly that she would not make fun of him or do anything to hurt his feelings. HA!

When the two came into the house, Lloyd was holding Grovener by the arm and instructing him to just be calm. “You’re okay Buddy!.....Come in this way.” Lloyd introduced Grovener to Esther, “This is Esther, Grovener.” Grovener twisted and squirmed and contorted his face at her reaching to shake her hand. I was having all I could do to keep my composure.

Grovener began opening the cupboard doors snooping and touching Esthers dishes, opening the refrigerator, the washer and dryer, etc.

He proceeded into my office and Esther said, “He probably shouldn’t go in there.” We could tell she was getting quite concerned!

Finally Lloyd led him into the living room and helped him get seated on the sofa as he twisted and squirmed.

After a little while Grovener told Lloyd he needed to go to the bathroom. He showed him the way. He was in there quite a while. When he came out of the bathroom he had about six of Esther’s towels stuffed down into his pants and into his pockets. He had rolls of toilet paper in his hands along with some other toiletries.

Now he really cranked it up and was getting almost uncontrollable making strange noises from his mouth. Lloyd had to man-handle him, telling him he couldn’t have the towels and to take them out of his pockets and his pants. I glanced at Esther and her eyes were wide as could be looking at this maniac.

Then Lloyd asked Grovener, “Have you taken your medication today? Get your pill Grovener! It’s time for you to take your medication!!”

Just then he pulls a PINK GOLF BALL out of his pocket and proceeds to shove it into his mouth choking and gagging on it. Lloyd exclaimed, “That’s not your pill, Grovener!! Get your little bottle of pills!!”

It was hilarious!! Especially to see the look on Esther’s face.

Then we all took to laughing and telling Esther it was all just a prank. She was actually quite relieved that it was all a joke.

It was a hard PILL for her to swallow.