I Corinthians 12:12-31

Last Sunday's Gospel Lesson was "The Story of the Wedding at Cana in

Galilee."  I concluded my sermon by saying that:

"In retrospect, these last opportunities for me to preach, here at St. James,

have provided marvelous moments for us to grow together in the knowledge that

what we believe about Jesus Christ has everyday applications. The "sacred

stuff" of baptisms, weddings, and funerals, like Holy Communion, bind us all

closer together in Christ. When my tenure as your pastor ends, our

relationship in this "sacred stuff" will necessarily change, but the

spiritual bonds will remain, along with the memories."

I continued by saying:  

"Jesus empowered us to solve problems and address crises, together, even as

he, during his earthly ministry, solved problems and addressed crises.

Therein lies the key to understanding our relationship with him and with each

other. We were never asked to change water into wine, but we were asked to

accomplish much that was just short of miraculous and Jesus empowered us to

do so."

"Over the years, in our comings, our goings, and our doings, God never ran

out of anything---not patience, not mercy and certainly not love. His supply

of goodness and his supply of forgiveness were never emptied. With him we

always got more than we gave. He continues to recognize our every need even

before we do. Praise the Lord!" 

In this morning's Epistle Lesson from Paul's "1st Letter to the Corinthians,"

Paul is saying that all of our "doings," individual and congregational, are

gifts from God! Furthermore Christ's body the Church, is understood by the

Apostle Paul as being made up of very diverse parts each part having its

special function. YOU are those parts! You know that! And yet, if you feel

that you have no part to play---no service to render, no gift to give---you

are sadly mistaken!

Believe me! Your new senior pastor will be waiting to hear from you in this

regard! I have not forgotten what it means to be a pastor, beginning his

ministry in a particular place. There is nothing more reassuring than to be

told by lay members, having particular talents, that they are ready and

willing to help move forward the ministry you share;---the ministry for which

the pastor has uprooted his family and to which he is about to commit all his

waking hours and energy. The pastor cannot do it alone---no matter how

committed and courageous he or she might be.

        "Indeed, the body (Paul says). . .the body does not consist

of one member but of many."

So I ask you, "How are you doing in your "doing," individually?" What

services are you prepared to offer St. James and its pastors that you have

never offered before and what services are you prepared to offer your church

and its pastors that you have offered in times past?

A boy of about 10 went into a drugstore and asked if he might use the

telephone. The druggist asked the number, dialed it and overheard the

following conversation:

"Mrs. Smith? Do you need any help around your place---you know, to cut the

grass, carry out garbage or run errands? Oh, you have a boy to do that? Is he

doing O.K.? He is? Thanks Mrs. Smith!"

As he turned to leave, the druggist said:

"Say, young man, I could use some help around here. How about working for

me?"

"No thanks," the little boy replied. "I already have a job. I work for Mrs.

Smith. I was just checking up on myself!"

We need to do that at various junctures of our lives. I'm not suggesting that

you telephone your employer and disguise your voice in order to discover what

he thinks of your work performance. I am suggesting that you evaluate your

past performance as a member of the Church, the "Body of Christ."

Whether the results are uplifting or depressing, comforting or embarrassing,

we all need to engage in some form of meaningful self-examination. In fact,

at this juncture in time, it is absolutely necessary for the members of St.

James Church to do so!

There is no better time, in the life of a congregation, for its members to

evaluate their gifts than at a time of transition between pastors. There is

no better time than now for YOU to evaluate your gifts and giving to St.

James.

Commitment in service is at the very heart of the Christian Faith and therein

lies hope for the future of the Church. We have a shortage of good pastors,

but the church has survived such crises before. The Church is experiencing

reduced levels of financial giving, but it has survived that crisis before.

What the Church cannot survive is "servant-less congregations." A people of

God, unwilling to give of their time and talent to ensure the future health

of the Church, will see the Body of Christ and all its parts and pieces

wither and die in a single generation.

There was a time, not too long ago, when our Stewardship Appeal / "Pony

Express Packets" were returned containing 90% or more of adult member

"commitment sheets." This year we received less than 60%. 

If that means that a majority of members believe that the church is moving

smoothly forward, without them---that majority is mistaken!

If you did not return a commitment sheet because, in past years, you did

return them but no one asked for your help---I am sorry! There has never been

a year, a day, an hour or a minute in the life of this congregation when your

help wasn't needed!

If you are unsure just how your gifts match-up with your church's program

needs, trust me, there are people who will show you the way, if you but

communicate your interests.

A pastor's taking leave of a congregation, whether for another call or for

retirement, is never easy, but there is always comfort in knowing that your

people, if not your programs, will still be there. 

In truth, existing programs must always give way to fresh and exciting

possibilities. That is the way the Body of Christ functions best!  Still (and

I want you to hear this), if YOU, the "Body's parts" are no longer willing to

be present and working as God intended---if YOU "drop out" or cease to

volunteer---the Body of Christ, in this place and time, will surely die!

Church programs, whether they originate with pastor or people, require the

time and talents of many! Church programs that educate and edify, while

perhaps sacred in purpose, are practical in their design and require YOUR

gifts and giving.

Please remember that! You are the "Body parts" that will make St. James

Church's "pieces" fit and flourish for years and years to come. You are the

"Body parts" that can make a pastor's day or break his heart.

 

Finally and fondly, I say to you, as a pastor whose days you always made and

whose heart and spirit were never broken---I say to you the same words I

speak to each year's Confirmands on their Confirmation Day:

      "In the years to come, I will be watching your progress

    ---from a distance perhaps---but always!"

On behalf of the three Danielsons---Sally, Tait and I:

"Thanks for everything, especially the fondest of memories!  Amen!"

  

Children's Sermon

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

Hold up a copy of the latest Harry Potter book, or some other children's best

seller. Have them raise their hands if they own one. Ask them if they know

how many copies of the book have been sold. See if they can describe what

makes a book a "best seller" - suggest that it takes an exciting story,

interesting characters and a good message. Then hold up a copy of the Bible,

and ask the children if this book is a best seller. Tell them that it is the

greatest best seller in history! See if they can name some of the exciting

stories and interesting characters in the Bible, and then point out that the

Bible has the best message of all: God loves us and wants us to enjoy life

with him forever. Let them know that people have been hearing this message

for many years, at least since the time of Nehemiah in the Old Testament,

when the people of God listened carefully to the reading of Scripture and

then had a celebration because they understood what had been read to them.

Close by encouraging the children to read the Bible, the best-selling book in

history, and to feel "the joy of the Lord" (8:10), just like the people of

Old Testament times.