07/10/2023
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"Big Hearts and Open Hands"
Picture this: My wife and I had just gotten into our car after an uplifting church service when something caught my eye. There, resting on our steering wheel, was an envelope with our names scrawled across it. With curiosity we tore it open, only to be met with sheer astonishment. Inside were ten crisp $100 bills!
Let me take you back to the early 2000s when my wife, Heather, and I were on a mission to establish a new church in Marlborough, MA. Every Sunday, we'd haul our gear to an elementary school cafeteria for worship. It was physically exhausting, but you know what? I wouldn't trade those days for anything. Why? Because they were filled with an incredible sense of togetherness and community. Those memories came rushing back when Pastor Joe recently preached about the early church in Acts 4:32-5:11. He reminded us that God's grace establishes unity among us, birthing a culture of generosity.
You might be wondering why someone slipped $1,000 into our car that day. Well, it was because we had a need—though I can't quite recall the specifics. But that need carried a $1,000 price tag. Our church family wanted to show us that God truly fulfills all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. They wanted us to trust in God's promises, to experience His provision firsthand. In that moment of vulnerability, they poured out their love and ministered to us. I'll be honest, amidst life's many forgettable moments, that envelope remains etched in my heart, a symbol of God's provision and the incredible grace we've been shown through church families over the years.
This incredible act of generosity in our lives stands as a testament to the immense grace of our loving God. It serves as a reminder that we are part of a tight-knit community, bound together by a love that knows no bounds. Just like the early church in Acts, who shared everything they had to ensure no one lacked, we too are called to open our hands wide and let our hearts overflow with love.
Let this story stir your soul, reigniting a passion to showcase God's abundant grace through unity, compassion, and unyielding generosity. As we come together as one body, may our lives radiate the unmistakable love of Christ, illuminating the path for all to see.
May we forever be a church family that exemplifies the profound grace and unity found only in our Lord Jesus Christ. Let's continue loving and supporting one another, showcasing the transformative power of God's love to a world desperately in need.
In His never-ending grace, Pastor Vinnie
