Not long ago, I came across a letter that a Civil War soldier on the front in South Carolina wrote to his family back in Slippery Rock. He had read in a letter from home that his siblings were collecting funds to buy their parents a new carpet He told them, "I doubt the carpet will benefit me much but I want to rest of you to live comfortable [and] especially do I wish the reclining years of our dear Parents to be full of joy and comfor" and so enclosed five of his monthly pay of twenty dollars for that purpose.

The soldier went on to say that he wanted his brother and sisters to contribute the other fifteen dollars to building the family's new church in Slippery Rock, adding the comment that "if I don't return to get the benefit of that somebody else will and the money will be well spent." This thoughtful and generous young man, I am happy to relate, survived the war and did get to enjoy this future church he had given to for many decades to come.

As we look about us at Smithfield, appreciating our beautiful sanctuary and remembering our extensive programs of service to both our membership and our Pittsburgh community, we realize that we are living in someone else's future. It is the future of many thousands of past members and supporters of Smithfield. It is the future those people – Smithfield's founders and numerous later generations – could only imagine, and perhaps hope would come about, when they sacrificed to establish, build, and nurture this great church. They have handed down to us this institution and its tradition of Christian service. We realize that these gifts are ours to use for the glory of God.

But let us also keep in mind that we are living in someone else's past. It is the past of the many more generations who, we trust, will succeed us as members and supporters of Smithfield. They will look back on us with similar gratitude as they acknowledge that we too planned and prepared and sacrificed for their present.

It is our responsibility, then, to leave them a Smithfield with a sound structure, a sound financial footing, and sound programs. Indeed, we can build upon the firm foundations we have inherited and expand those gifts we have received from our predecessors, passing on to our own spiritual heirs a Smithfield that is both stronger and better able to do God's work in this world.

This piece was included in the Sunday bulletin, April 21, 2008, as part of the public launching of Project JERICHO