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Sermon for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Clay Center, Kansas
The 2nd Sunday After the Epiphany
January 18, 2015
“Holy Discomfort”
May I speak in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Because today is our Annual Parish Meeting, I’m going to weave together some themes from today’s readings and some observations about our common life and ministries here at St. Paul’s. It will be sort of a “state of St Paul’s” reflection.
The Old Testament lesson tells us about Samuel being called by God in the middle of the night. He was just a boy… and I think we could almost certainly guess that he was not expecting to hear the Almighty addressing him directly. His teacher Eli is more discerning and counsels the boy: “Say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’ ”
Surely, we can also imagine that Philip’s surprise at being invited by Jesus to follow him. “We have found [the Messiah],” he tells Nathanael. And what does Nathanael say? Somewhat doubtfully, Nathanael retorts: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” But Philip persists, “Come and see,” he urges.
In both these lessons, ordinary people are called by God to “come and follow” and to do great things. Each of these early followers made a conscious decision to say “yes” to God’s invitation. They listened to God – and they said, in essence, “Yes, Lord, here I am. What can I do?” They offered themselves to God.
And so it is with us. God invites us to participate in God’s work of transforming the world. If we choose to say yes, we can trust that God will work in and through our efforts, giving us what we need to do our small part. We trust because we know that, ultimately, the work belongs to God, not us.
When I arrived fifteen months ago, I found a church of friendly, generous-hearted folks. That was comforting to me, especially as a new priest, learning to live and lead in new ways. I felt I could trust you to back me up when I stumbled, and pick me up when I fell, and pull me back into line – lovingly! – if I ventured too far off track… and you have. I have felt welcomed, supported… and, mostly, comfortable.
That has been all well and good – as we have gotten to know each other and as we’ve become… well, comfortable together. But, a good friend reminded me recently that at no place in the Gospel does Jesus ask us to be comfortable. Rather, our Lord asks us to “take up the cross” and follow him. [PAUSE] The way of the cross is the way of struggle. It’s the way of pain and disappointment. It’s the way of rejection and loss. It’s also the way of joy and blessing, of strength and reassurance, of hope and glory. Are we ready to offer ourselves for that “holy DIS-comfort”?
A parish annual meeting is a natural time to pause and reflect on our life together:
How are we doing as disciples of Jesus Christ? In my written report that you’ll receive at the meeting, you will find a list of good things we’ve done over the past year. For the most part we have, indeed, had a comfortable year together.
And yet…. And yet… Are we willing to settle for that? Is “comfortable” all that we are called to be?
Let’s start with the promises we make at baptism – and whenever we baptize a new member of the Church. Those vows are our part of the Covenant with God.
Like any – and every – Christian, we do better with some of them than with others. And we do better at some times than we do at other times. Let’s ask ourselves: Are we committed to getting along – and working – together? Do we treat each other – inside and outside this community – with respect and dignity? Are we ready to proclaim the Good News… and to invite others to know God? Do we give enough time and attention to study and to prayer… and to the breaking of the bread? And… how does all that relate to the future of this parish?
So… some observations from my first year with you that I hope will help us think about those questions.
· One of the first things I noticed is that just about everybody is involved in something, which is great… and impressive. Yet, very few folks are willing to organize or lead a team or activity, and that means that long-time leaders get over-extended and worn out.
· Our Meditation Garden is a highlight and provides a beautiful, peaceful, and welcoming space for us and our neighbors.
· We “box above our weight class,” as Bishop Wolfe likes to say, when it comes to our programs to feed hungry people in our community. Bravo!
· Our Sunday school classroom is brighter and more “kid friendly” than before, and… we need more people to help with the little ones.
· Sandy and the choir are faithful and enthusiastic… a real asset to our worship. They led us in singing 200 different hymns last year! I see the same dedication from the acolytes, lay readers, chalice bearers, and Altar Guild. And… I’d love to see more of you in those roles! We especially need new people for Altar Guild and as acolytes.
· Our Sunday attendance is up slightly, after three years of decline. But regular attendance does not seem to be a priority for everyone.
· The adult Sunday school class is a steady, cohesive group. Yet, we have little emphasis on Bible study and prayer other than during our Sunday worship. Would you participate in additional opportunities?
· Many people who are carrying the biggest load of responsibility are graying at the temples, and some have recently stepped back from leadership roles. It’s time for younger people to come forward. How can we encourage our younger members to try new roles and take on more responsibility?
· Given the cost of a traditional seminary education, I may be the last seminary-trained priest you will have here at St. Paul’s. [PAUSE] As Bishop Wolfe repeatedly says, our small churches need to be identifying and raising up people in their congregations, particularly younger people, to study for becoming priests and deacons. Who at St. Paul’s might be candidates for the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry?
· We have had a great year financially! We have spent more – and given more – this past year, helping us begin to live out a “theology of abundance,” rather than a “theology of scarcity.” And yet, we still have a “participation gap.” If we are to be an energetic, vital and viable congregation that attracts new members, we need more of you to be fully engaged in our life together. [PAUSE]
So, as we reflect on this good year together and think about what’s ahead, I wonder if God is challenging us to embrace a year of being UN-comfortable:
· … a year of encouraging all of our brothers and sisters at St. Paul’s and finding creative ways for younger members to become leaders,
· … a year of seeing possibilities, not limitations,
· … a year of saying “yes” to change,
· … a year of putting God first, of being here together more regularly,
· … a year of committing to growth as disciples of Jesus.
Are you ready to hear God’s call and respond, with Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”? Are you prepared to tell others about the goodness and love of God and invite them, as Philip did, to “Come and see”?
The future of St. Paul’s – and the presence of the Episcopal Church in Clay Center –may depend on it.
As I close with prayer, I’d like you to think about how we may confidently walk forward together in holy discomfort – to participate in God’s work:
Let us pray.
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well-pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little, when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of the things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the water of life.
Stir us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery, where in losing sight of land we shall find the stars.
We ask you to push back the horizon of our hope, and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope and love.
AMEN.