Telling the Story: Rev. Nascimento

Beneficiary Deed

 

Volunteers at Rev. Nascimento's home

I, Lemuel C. Nascimento, a single man, Grantor, hereby convey to FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 12225 No. 103rd Avenue, Sun City, Arizona 85351-3501, Grantee, effective on my death, the following-described real property situated in Maricopa County ...

With this brief directive, Rev. Lemuel "Lem" C. Nascimento made a final act of generosity and support for the ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Nascimento was a retired Presbyterian minister who, with the help and support of Elder Roy Pruett, purchased a Niche in our church's Columbarium on October 2, 2002. This act of kindness by Roy has now been carried forward by Rev Nascimento with this gift of his Gemini home and a certificate of deposit of $50,127.70.

In addition to numerous bookshelves of theology books, Lem left behind binders with articles and sermons, his Statement of Faith and religious experience. These documents reach out to us now and help us understand his decision to make this very generous gift to our church.

Lem writes:

I know that through all the passing minutes I live by God's grace, love, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ our Lord. The power of God's Spirit is what keeps me ongoing and alive. God's grace has been the strength of my life.

The Church's words and works, its whole life of mission, are to be a witness to what God has done, is doing and will do in Christ. But this word 'witness' cannot possibly mean that the Church stands against the world, detached from it and regarding it from a position of superior self-righteousness. Christians are God's people in the world.

By the spirit we are enabled to press forward as ambassadors of Christ and also to anticipate with sure confidence for the final victory of God's love, for the resurrection of our bodies and for the life everlasting, of which God has given us most sure promises.

Rev. Nascimento's writings and gifts are celebrations of God's love and grace. His witness is a reminder to us of God's abundance and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God.