Since many preachers are very busy the next month or so, here's a sermon you can use in January to give yourself a break.  Posted early!

Sermon – Mark 4:30-32
Small But Mighty

Examples of small things

1. $5  How excited would you get if you were told you were going to be given $5? Very nice, but not much these days is it? Can’t eat out and get much of a meal for $5. Can’t buy a shirt. Can’t fill the car with gas. $5, very nice, but not much.

2. A snowball.  As a kid, or not, did you ever make a snowball? A snowball is nice, but you’re kind of limited with only one, aren’t you? Not a good idea to start a snowball fight, with only 1 snowball. Your offensive will be pretty short. And your aim had better be pretty accurate.

3. A good deed.  There is an organisation within Scouting called Cubs. Cubs belong to the Cub Pack. One of the first things new Cubs are taught in order to be part of the Pack is the Cub promise.

The Cub Scout Promise: I promise to do my best, to love and serve God, to do my duty to the Queen; to keep the law of the Wolf Cub Pack, and to do a good turn for somebody every day.

Each week when Cubs meet they have to report what the good deed was they each had done that day. For a group of 20 8,9 & 10 year olds, they aren’t out saving the world, but they dutifully report how they had helped at home, or done their homework (which doesn’t really count) or held a door for someone.

Very nice, but not really much on a global scale.

Big scale perspective

On a global scale, when we look at the events of the last year, when we consider the challenges facing our species, our nations, our country, our planet; it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What do you do when [insert global disaster issue]? What do you do when [story of refugees or displacement or war]? What do you do, when another world leader [fill in the blank]?

What do you do?

And there’s more. That list of challenges and disasters doesn’t include: [insert other global scale issues] and so much more.

What do you do?

Options

Do you choose to live in denial? Wilful ignorance? If I just pretend it isn’t there, or it isn’t going to happen, then it won’t be real. I’ll insulate myself from it so I don’t have to acknowledge it. No TV news. No radio news. No newspaper. No Facebook or internet. There’s nothing I can do, so there’s no point in even thinking about it. I’ll just live as if everything’s fine.

But what kind of choice is that? What kind of life is that? For followers of Jesus, it’s not a choice at all. When we committed our lives to following Jesus, we committed ourselves to serving others sacrificially, not ignoring them. We committed ourselves to doing justice and righteousness. We committed ourselves to loving God first and foremost and at the same time to loving others as we love ourselves.

As followers of Jesus, we are true to our commitment, true to our Saviour, when we face situations, embrace challenges, and respond to tragedy and disaster and evil any way we can. And that will be different for each of us, depending on our own situations and the resources God has given us to work with.

Small things count

Remember that $5 you were to get that didn’t really do very much? [use numbers from a recent United Church appeal] Recently the United Church has raised over $40,000 to help the displaced Rohingyan people. Doesn’t sound like much, all those thousands of people on the other side of the world, but to them, it’s life.

Check out the Gifts with Vision catalogue. $5 won’t get you anything, on it’s own. But find a friend and $10 will help provide food for people in the north of Canada, or help Aboriginal people struggling from the “Sixties scoop”.

We often hear through the Minute for Mission about what we United Church folks are doing in Canada and around the world, to change lives, to save lives, and to really make a difference. Imagine what more could be done if each of us gave an extra $5 today to Mission & Service.

Remember that one snowball? Put it on the ground and push it, or roll it down a hill. Now it’s a different story. That’s why ideas and solutions “snowball” as they grow and pick up momentum.

Remember the “Good turn to somebody every day”? If we could get everyone in our wider community to be intentional about doing a good deed for somebody else, every day, our attitudes would be different and our society would be changed.

Gospel Reading

In today’s gospel reading we heard Jesus teaching the people about the Kingdom of God by using the example of a mustard seed.  Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.” (Mark 4:30-32 - NLT)  

Imagine that, the Kingdom of God starts out tiny. Insignificant. Hard to notice.

Like a looney, or a toonie, or a $5 bill.

Like a snowball.

Like a single good deed or a random act of kindness.

Until it grows. Until its effect ripples out. Until others join in. Until suddenly, it’s not so small anymore.

Until, “it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”

Reassurance & Challenge

In a world which can be so overwhelming at times, Jesus reminds us that small things count. There’s no such thing as too small to matter. $5! A piece of litter picked up along the street. A hug. Two words, “I’m sorry.” A glass of water.

No small thing is not worth doing, as we strive to follow Jesus’ example any way we can. And I truly believe that mustard seed by mustard seed, our faith will grow and our world will be changed.

Things to try:

1. Do a good deed for somebody else every day this week.

2. When did something small done for you, or to you, teach you about following Jesus?

3. Say this simple prayer, “God bless ” for someone each day this week.

AMEN.

Advent Sermon - John 3:1-18
…and Action!

[start with great exuberance, but each time get a little less excited and seem to give up hope]

A great thing is about to happen!!! This will be beyond anything you have seen or experienced.

[wait]

I promise you, this will be fantastic. Really good for you. Better than popcorn!!

[wait]

It will be amazing. Really.

[wait]

Any time now…

[wait]

Well, maybe it’s been delayed. Maybe something went wrong. But I’m sure it’s coming. We’ll just have to wait a bit, that’s all.

[wait]

Isn’t waiting annoying sometimes? Especially when you’ve been set up for something really good. Then you have to wait.

I think the worst waiting is when you don’t know how long. It’s bad enough to have to wait a week, or two weeks, or 3 weeks (like for Christmas), but when you don’t know how long you have to wait, that’s horribly difficult.

[wait]

There’s only one thing that makes that kind of waiting even more unbearable. When there’s nothing to do. Time just seems to drag on forever. A minute seems like and hour. “When’s it going to come? When’s it going to come?”

[wait]

After a while, I just can’t stand it anymore. I start to fidget. I start to play games in my mind. I get out my brain [show Pocket PC] and play solitaire. I start looking for signs that it’s coming. Something to keep myself occupied!! How hard it is to just sit and wait.

[wait]

I wonder if that’s what it felt like for the people who went out to hear John? “Someone is coming” he said. “Someone much greater than I.” “Someone who will baptise you with the Holy Spirit, not just with water.” I can imagine the first question people would ask: “When?”. And John would look them in the eye and reply, “I don’t know, but soon”.

“Soon?” “What do you mean, soon?”

“Soon.”

“How soon?”

“Soon.”

“But what do we do until then?”

“Wait.”

“Just wait?”

“Wait.”

“But there must be something we can do to hurry this up?”

“Well, I have this water. We’re at this river. Why not be baptised?”

“Will that make him come sooner?”

“No.”

“Then why bother?”

“It will help you get ready.”

“Huh?”

“Baptism is a symbol. It’s a sign that you have made some choices in your life that will help you be ready when he comes. It’s a sign that you have recognised that not everything in your life is the way God wants it to be and that you have decided to make some changes.”

“Changes?”

“Yes, changes. Do you remember that closet full of clothes you have at home? All those clothes that you don’t wear, or that don’t fit, or are out of style? Why do you still have them? Why not give them to someone who needs them? Changes.”

”Or how about the person at work that keeps stealing your lunch? You know who it is. Instead of reporting them to management so they get fired, why not invite them out to lunch some day, pay for their meal, and get to know them better? Changes.”

“Treat everyone else with respect, as you expect to be treated. Be generous with what God has given you. Make friends. Share yourself gladly. Don’t let other people’s negativity or evil trap you and drag you down. Help where you can and leave things well enough alone when you can’t. Keep your nose to yourself. Changes.”

“Then when he comes, and he is coming, then you’ll be ready. Then your life will be in line with his life and with God’s hopes and dreams for you. Then, because of those changes you choose to make, the world will be different; better. Maybe only a little; maybe a lot; but when it comes to better, every little bit helps and every little bit counts.”

And I think some would walk away frustrated, shaking their heads. But others would go home with a smile on their face and a glint of determination in their eyes, sopping wet.

During this Advent season, we too wait. We wait for Christmas. We wait for Jesus. We don’t know how long. But following John’s advice, while we wait, we prepare.

And to help us be active with those preparations, here are some things to think about and work on this week.

1. If John was talking directly to you about changes, what would he suggest?

2. Other than baptism, what are some signs that show people that you are choosing to live in line with the One who is coming and with God’s hopes and dreams for you?

3. Spend some time this week imagining what it might be like when the wait is over.

AMEN.

“The F Word” - 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Let’s watch this, to start:

[video of Fix Auto advert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QONPTqvRFOc ]

Around the church the same thing happens. As soon as someone starts talking about a new roof, a new furnace, a new program or activity, the first thing that seems to come to people’s mind or out of their mouth is the F-word: Fffff-undraiser.

Happens all the time, doesn’t it?

We must be constantly vigilant, lest the F-word take over the life of your congregation and indeed, even our whole beloved United Church of Canada.

Now since I was asked to come here today to speak to you about stewardship, the issue of the overuse of the F-word is especially relevant.

After all, Stewardship is not the same as FUNDRAISING!!!

1) Fundraising:

You see, FUNDRAISING [click] is about trying to get a certain amount of money from people for a specific task or project.

We need a new roof. Fundraising may help you to accomplish that. You sell shingles or you set up the dreaded thermometer. No worries.

2) The danger in Fundraising:

is when a congregation starts to think about their finances mostly in terms of fundraising.

That will take them down one path and one way of thinking about people and money.

• they never have enough and always need more. 

• They believe that people are basically stingy and greedy.

It’s SCARCITY thinking. It’s bad theology.

As a congregation starts to focus more and more on fundraising, they follow a predictable path.

1. They keep planning new activities, but in reality everything becomes a fundraiser. Sure, they talk about how they’re building community, how these activities are fun, and how they bring in people from outside the church, but the real mark that an activity was a success becomes, “Did it make money?” and how much. Eventually, it’s not long after one fund raiser is over that they’re planning the next one. Like an addiction.
2. At the same time, they are always trying to come up with new marketing schemes to get people’s attention. One sure sign that a congregation is on this path is the increased use of the F-word during Sunday morning announcements. 
3. The people of the congregation start to burn out and leave. You see, more and more fundraisers eat up more and more time and energy and suck the passion out of people. How many of you joined this church in order to raise money and run fundraisers?

Over time, a congregation on this path changes from a church, which we know is “a group of people following Jesus and seeking to live out God’s mission to the world,” into a fundraising organisation or a restaurant/catering company.

When a congregation can only think about its finances in terms of fundraising, it has entered the death spiral.

But we're not going to talk about fundraising; the F-word.  This morning, we’re all about Stewardship. 

Stewardship.

So when you think of Stewardship, which words come to mind?
[gather suggestions]

As the saying goes, Stewardship is EVERYTHING. Everything we think, say, and do, after we say “I believe”!

Stewardship is a spiritual practice. It’s intimately linked to and the outcome of the Christian values of generosity, trust and thankfulness.

When a congregation is able to focus and teach on the spiritual practice of stewardship, then they move out of scarcity thinking. They put an end to the death spiral.

It’s like that section of Paul’s 2nd letter to the church at Corinth we heard read says:

God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. You show your gratitude [to God] through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. (2 Corinthians 9:7,13 - MSG)

Christian Stewardship recognizes that we are called as individuals and as congregations into God’s mission to each other and to the world.

One of the clearest, and easiest, ways we do that, to participate in God's mission, is by giving away the gifts that God has entrusted to us in order that other people can be cared for and come to realise that they too are loved by God, just like we are.

These gifts we give come out of everything that God has given us: our time, our talents and skills, and our treasure and physical resources. It includes our money, but it’s not limited to our money.

Generous “cheerful” giving is an important sign that a person has discovered just how much God loves them.

Generous “cheerful” giving is an important sign that a person has felt the love of God touch their own spirit and has been changed by that experience. In other days we would call that “conversion”.

Generous “cheerful” giving comes out of that conversion experience. After all, true generosity comes out of gratitude. Realising how much God loves you. How much God has done for you and how much God has given you. How God has come to be with you, in Jesus. How God continues to be with you, guiding, accompanying, and caring, through the Holy Spirit. And wanting to do whatever it takes, and using everything you have, to help other people have that same experience.

“We become stewards when we realize God’s grace in our lives. This inspires us to respond with gratitude and generosity."

Therefore, if you want to see real spiritual growth in yourself, in the other people in this congregation and in the people that God brings into your life who are not yet a part of this congregation (which is an important part of what a church is really supposed to be about), you need to shift your thinking from the F-word to the S-word. From fundraising to stewardship.

And because it’s not fair to suggest you do something and not give you ideas about how to do it, here are some ideas.

1. Provide a small group where people can share their experiences and come to see how much God loves them.
2. Create an opportunity during Sunday morning, at a Board/Council meeting, any time a group gathers, for someone to share a story of how they recently trusted God, what that looked like and how God used it.
3. Each year, encourage those whom the congregation serves to be intentional and make a decision about how generous they plan to be in the coming year. That way they will be less inclined to be caught up in “sob stories and arm-twisting”.
4. As a congregation, refuse to tell sob stories or use arm-twisting. Instead, inspire people with the stories of how you are involved with God’s mission and are making a real difference in people’s lives and invite people to be part of it and get involved.
5. Decide, as a congregation, to place a limit on the number of fundraisers you will hold each year. And stick to it! Trust God to provide! Then be willing to share what God has provided.

Amen.

Sermon – Inspired

This message requires two 4" x 5" lined index cards for each person in the audience and something for them to write with.

[start immediately after the reading of 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 from The Message]

So I wonder how that felt.

Imagine with me for a moment.
You come for worship one day and the worship leader stands up at the beginning and says, “I have something special to share with you today. We have received a letter.”

The leader goes on to say that the letter is from a beloved and admired friend. In fact this friend is the reason that you are all gathered, because this friend is the person who founded your church. This is a really important person!

Are you with me? What are you feeling?

If that doesn’t do it for you, then maybe this will. Imagine with me.
You go to get the mail one day and in among all the fliers and advertisements, there’s an envelope. It’s from the Canada Revenue Agency. On the outside it says, “Confidential. Important.”

Are you with me? What are you feeling?

I suspect that for the people of the church in Thessalonica, receiving a letter from Paul was a bit of all of those feelings and maybe more. This letter comes from their beloved founder. The one who first shared the gospel with them; first told them about Jesus. I expect that when he was with them he had taught them. He had encouraged them. He had challenged them to change their ways and corrected them when they needed it.

What would the letter say?

Would it be more good news?

Would it be bad?

It had been a long time since they had heard from Paul.

So one day, a long time ago, someone stood up when the church was gathered in an environment of excitement and curiosity mixed with anxiety and apprehension and began to read.

I, Paul, together here with Silas and Timothy, send greetings to the church at Thessalonica, Christians assembled by God the Father and by the Master, Jesus Christ. God's amazing grace be with you! God's robust peace! Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labour of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.   (1 Thessalonians 1:1-4 - TM)

Whew!

Can you feel it?
Isn’t that nice. The Thessalonians must have felt pretty good about themselves from that greeting. “You’re wonderful. I think about you and pray for you all the time. God thinks you’re special, too!”

It must have been inspiring for them. Someone really important to them, that they admire, their founder, tells them, “You’re wonderful. I think about you and pray for you all the time. God thinks you’re special, too!”

Can you feel it?
I hope so.

I believe that it is true for people these days, just as I suspect it was true for those Thessalonians all those years ago. I know it’s true for me. We respond so much more to someone we look up to, someone important to us. Don’t we?

You know who those people are for you, don’t you?

A compliment from them and you’re walking on air, ready to do anything. And when they tell you what a great job you did on something specific? Wow! You know they noticed you, then.

It feels good, doesn’t it?

And I don’t know about you (although I strongly suspect) I know for me that that kind of recognition and appreciation makes me want to keep going. It makes me believe that my labour is not in vain.

It’s inspiring, isn’t it?

Well today I want to make a suggestion and lay a challenge before you, the church gathered in this place.
For some this may be easy. For others it will be a stretch. Either way, I’m pretty sure it will help you to grow in living out your faith.

Here’s what I want you to do. I brought with me a stack of index cards.

[hand them out so everyone gets 2]

Today, I want you to be Paul. I want you to inspire someone.

In that greeting to the Thessalonians, Paul also mentions calling to mind "the work of faith, the labour of love, and the patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus" that he knows the Thessalonian church is living out. Catch those 3 phrases:

• work of faith;
• labour of love;
• patience of hope.

We’re going to take a few minutes right now, and I want you to think about someone who is a part of this congregation that you have seen (first hand) doing some work of faith, a labour of love, or showing the patience of hope, in order to help strengthen this church. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the thing was they did. All that matters is that you saw them do it, or you experienced what they did. It has to be personal.

And I want you to write a brief thank-you to them on ONE of your index cards for what they did. Be sure to start with their name and sign it with your name.

Go!

[pause]

That’s step #1.

Step #2. Sometime this week, I want you to hand deliver that card. (I told you this would be challenging for some of you!)

That’s step #2.

Now I suspect you are wondering with fear and trepidation what you are to do with the other index card.

Over the course of this week, I want you to write a short note to someone who is NOT a part of this congregation for whom you want to acknowledge their value and show your support for them which will thank them and inspire them. From manufacturers to farmers, those in retail, and those who help move products and materials from there to here.

Again, write something to thank them for their work and tell them that you appreciate them; and be sure to put your name on it. Maybe hand it to them at their job, or leave it where they will find it later.

Just as Paul was for the Thessalonians, so you can be for each other and for the people in your wider community. An inspiration. A blessing. As you do the work of faith, the labour of love, and show the patience of hope, in following our Master, Jesus.

AMEN.

“You have a purpose”

Psalm 67 

Let’s begin this week by spending 1 minute in silence. While it is quiet, I want you to take an inventory. I want you to recount all the ways God has blessed you over your life and all the ways you are being blessed now, in the present.

Ready? Go!
[pause for 1 minute]

I hope that makes you feel good and helps you recognise how blessed each of us really is. Having likely recalled things such as: houses, families, friends, food, children, trips taken, vacations had, jobs and employers, cars, adventures, church, and the list goes on, I also hope this little exercise encourages you to be thankful to God; recognising where our blessings come from.

We each have so much to be thankful for.

And not just the physical stuff; although there’s plenty of that for sure. We are also blessed in emotional and spiritual ways. We are part of a supportive community. We have given love and received love. We have heard the gospel and believed. We have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. We have scripture to teach us and reassure us. We always have Jesus’ presence with us. All these blessings from God.

But do you ever stop to wonder why?

Why should God continually cause us to be blessed?

Is it because of something we have done? Some people may believe so. “Because I am a good person and try not to do too many things wrong, God has rewarded me with blessings.” The problem with that thinking is, where’s the cut-off point? At what point have I done enough that is either good, to cause blessing, or bad, to inhibit blessing? And what about those people who are truly evil, yet seem to be as blessed, or more so, than the rest of us? And if my being blessed or not blessed is all dependant on me and my behaviours, then isn’t God just some kind of huge cosmic vending machine?

No; and no. Our being blessed is not because of something we have done.

Well, maybe our being blessed is because of something that we believe? Again, some people, many people, believe this to be the case. “I am a Christian, therefore God blesses me. After all, I believe in God. I believe Jesus died for me. I try to live the Way Jesus taught; so God blesses me.” However, there are plenty of Christians around the world, and even here in Canada, that I would not consider particularly blessed. Those who are persecuted for their faith; who have their property confiscated from them, or are tortured or killed because they are Christians. Those who are starving and homeless. Those who have AIDS. Those who have had to flee their countries because of war and live as refugees. Those people have just as much faith as me, some probably more so, yet they don’t seem very blessed. And again, like believing that being blessed is the result of something we have done, what about all those people who are not Christians, but who are still blessed? There are a lot of very faithful Muslims and Buddhist, Hindus, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pagans and Atheists even, who are blessed like we are. What about them?

No, our being blessed is not because of something that we believe.

Well, if my being blessed is not because of something that any of us have done, or something that we believe, what is it about? Why should God bless any of us?

I find one answer to that question in today’s Psalm reading. Psalm 67. Listen.

Be gracious unto us, O God, and bless us;
And let the light of your face shine upon us;

THAT your ways may be known upon the earth,
Your saving power among all nations.

Why are we blessed? We are blessed in order that God’s ways and God’s saving power may be known everywhere. We are blessed as an example, as a teaching aid, as a witness to who God is and what God is about. We are blessed in order that people can come to know how good God is; that God wants only good and healthy things for us. We are blessed, in order that through those blessings we can help people come to faith; to recognise God’s love for them; then in turn to live lives in line with God’s intentions and God’s will for them and for all people.

According to this Psalm, that is the purpose of our blessings, and in turn, that is also our purpose. We are never blessed just for the sake of being blessed. We are never Spirit filled just for the experience. We have a purpose whenever we receive a blessing from God, that God’s ways and God’s saving power may be known everywhere.

Kind of puts that inventory of blessings that I hope you made at the beginning of this sermon in a different light, doesn’t it? If what this Psalm says about blessings is true, then instead of us being proud of all the ways God has blessed us, instead of using our blessings as a way to justify how we live or what we believe about our status with God; if what this Psalm says about blessings is true, then we need to consider how we have used those blessings to fulfill the purpose God has also given us: that God’s ways and God’s saving power may be known everywhere.

Let me finish with the last words of Psalm 67:

The earth has yielded its harvest,
And you, our God, have blessed us.

Your blessing, O God, be upon us.
May all the ends of the earth revere you.

Think about it:

1. How are you using God’s blessings to fulfill your purpose: that God’s ways and God’s saving power may be known everywhere?

2. Who do you know that really seems to live up to God’s purpose for them, regardless of how blessed they are or aren’t?

3. In your prayers this week, thank God for the blessings God gives you and ask God for direction and courage to use them for the purpose they were meant.

AMEN.

NOT A SERMON!
But hopefully still helpful!

A colleague passed this link to me and I pass it along to you.

Church Marketing Sucks!

Don't be dismayed by the title.
Personally I think church marketing is all about creatively sharing the stories of how we are making a difference in people's lives for the gospel and God's mission and inviting them to come and be part of it!  That definitely does NOT suck!

So check it out!

Here's a  Sermon Time ‘drama’ about the Mission and Service of The United Church of Canada.  It was originally written by The Rev. Matthew Penny.  It has been adapted by The Rev. Dave Jagger. (me!)  Have fun with it!

Characters needed:

Preacher- Should be dressed in robes. Look ministerial!

Mission & Service Enthusiast - should be a person who can be truly enthusiastic about sharing the stories.

Three ‘characters at the table’ - These should be casually dressed and a toque would be a good idea on at least one.  (think a cross between Bob & Doug Mackenzie and Statler & Waldorf the old men in the balcony from The Muppet Show)

For the role of Enthusiast you will need to choose 3 stories from the current Minute for Mission book and summarize them briefly.  It is best to choose stories that have meaning to your congregation.  You will also need to find the names of Pastoral Charges in your Presbytery or Conference who receive mission support grants (your conference office can help with that).

The scene opens with the minister about to preach in the pulpit. At the table in the middle of the stage, or at the front of the church are the three ‘curmudgeons’. They have to look the part and be willing to be a little critical of everything at the outset. They have their coffee cups out and appear to be dissecting the sermon during coffee hour after worship. A place at the front from which the Mission & Service Enthusiast is going to pop up from time to time with Mission & Service information. Timing in this play is important.

---------------------------------

Preacher: (a pompous attitude might be helpful) ... then today, let’s talk about Stewardship. One old saying is that the Stewardship of our resources is everything we do after we say, “we believe.” I want the congregation to know that this passage about the sheep and the goats, a parable told by Jesus, is really about the division of people who are faithful in giving to the church and caring for others and is probably designed to encourage those who don’t seem to want to ‘get involved’ with the care of the world and the care of other people. What we need to do as a congregation is realize just how important other people are.... (When done his bits the minister should quietly move aside so as allow the focus to be on the others.)

First Curmudgeon: Did you hear that bit o’ preaching this morning in church?  Going on about how we are to spend our money? It was dis-gusting. (draw out the ‘dis’ bit). I mean, if the preacher really wants the church to do O.K. he should spend all of his time out there visiting folk and praying at the hospital over the sick and not worrying about how much money I give to the church.

Second Curmudgeon: Well, I was a bit surprised to hear him talk about the congregation being like a bunch of sheep and goats. Imagine what our church would be like if all we did was worry about treating people like livestock. And what about the United Church being the inclusive church? (put emphasis on word inclusive) That man should not be saying anything that even hints at one person in the church not being just like all the others. Aren’t we the United Church and aren’t we the ones who are supposed to be all the same.

Third Curmudgeon: All the same! Just a minute there. Do you think that every person in every United Church has the same problems and difficulties? I don’t want to be the same as you. In fact I don’t want you to be the same as me! Some people do need a little help from time to time you know.

Enthusiast:  [insert a brief story of the work of Mission & Service to provide support for people]

Second Curmudgeon:  Well yeah, there are people who need some help from time to time, but I still don’t see why the minister ever has to mention money in the sermon. Don’t we get enough letters from the Finance & Property committee and articles in our church newsletter and invites to go to some event where they ask us for money, money, and more money. I tell ya, to go to church these days you have to shake hands at the door and keep one hand on yer wallet! 

First Curmudgeon: Yea, yea, ya got that right.

Third Curmudgeon: Oh yeah, Oh yeah.

Preacher: And friends, what Jesus is saying in this passage is that we have to be aware of what we are doing and who we are doing it to. Sometimes we ignore people, fail to be the caring community and don’t even realize that we may be doing damage to the world without even knowing it. That’s why both the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 didn’t even realize that they were either helping or hurting other people. Did you know that in this country, most people spend about $60 per month on coffee and snacks and less than $50 per month on their church? 

When this is said, all the people at the table should turn to look at the preacher. They should mumble and grumble about that.

Third Curmudgeon: Well you know, if some people would just quit spending their time at the coffee shop or Bingo Parlour then things would work out. It’s them kind of people that don’t know when to quit.

First Curmudgeon: By the way do you want a ride to Bingo, Bingo on Wednesday for the 9 o’clock? 

Third Curmudgeon: No, I got a cousin comin’ over and she wants to go to London to the slots at the Western fair grounds.

Second Curmudgeon: I’ll go, Lord knows it’ll be noisy around here Wednesday night, what with the Weight Watchers in here and all those little girls in Sparks and Brownies running around.

Enthusiast:  [insert a brief story of the work of Mission & Service to provide outreach mission help]

First Curmudgeon: I got to wonder about a preacher who’s always goin’ on about the need to care for other people. It bothers me that... well... he ... uh... just seems to... 

Second Curmudgeon: I know exactly what you mean. He’s just so....well.....

Preacher: And what Jesus meant when he said the sheep and goats would be divided was that God would look upon the people and point out how little some had done to help others and how much others had done without even being aware. It’s not that the goats, those who didn’t help, left so much out of their lives. It’s obvious from the story that they did not purposefully deprive the little ones of food or clothing or help in some way. It’s just that they were so caught up in themselves that they forgot how to be helpful to others. Probably it’s more a matter of attention.  We have to be shown sometimes the folly of our ways and then, when this happens, we can get on with life, now with our eyes open.

First Curmudgeon: That preacher just.... well...

Second Curmudgeon: Yeah, I know what you mean. He’s just such a.... well. Mmm... 

Third Curmudgeon: This is getting to you guys isn’t it? You are starting to understand what that story from Matthew 25 means aren’t you. You two are starting to be changed. 

Second Curmudgeon: Now just a minute. I know that we’re supposed to be, like, good to other people. But that doesn’t give the preacher any reason to make us feel guilty. How does he know what I do with my money and who I give to? Is he nosey? 

First Curmudgeon: I know that being a caring person in this 21st  century means things will be different than they ever were. I know that sometimes we have to give money to help others.  But do I have to hear about that in church?

Enthusiast: [insert a brief story of the work of Mission & Service locally]

First Curmudgeon: I really do have a soft spot for people that are in trouble you know. That’s why I work at the church Bazaar and the Yard Sale. Why I even bought one of the Choir’s CD’s and sent it down east to my mother. I sure don’t want to be one of those people who gets lumped in with the goats. Do you think God really wants to judge us, like that story says? 

Second Curmudgeon: I think it’s like this. God wants us to keep an eye on the world. Not just our little piece of it, but all of it.

Third Curmudgeon: We can’t do that. How am I, one person, whose best part of the day is getting together with friends over a cup of coffee, to go out and save the world? If that preacher expects me to go to Africa and preach to the heathen then he’s got another thing coming.  Some nerve! Why don’t we just look after the people in our own church? 

Preacher: In essence what Jesus is trying to point out is that God resides not just in our imagined views of heaven. God is not just some robed deity sitting on a throne and watching the world, judging how we behave. God is watching, yes, but God is watching from the viewpoint of the poor, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned, and dare we say it now, the uninformed, the hated and the lonely. God is in the soup kitchens, the food banks and exists in the people with funny accents, the ones with HIV, the ones who need our love. It is not that we are to change all this, but we each can help those who do care to do their work. We can be the ones who assist the battle against HIV in Africa. We can help those who work on the front lines with the poor. We can assist those who counsel the new immigrants and those who reach out to the people living on the streets.

Second Curmudgeon: Well now. I don’t know about you two, but I think that today I’m going to make an effort to help all those people. I’ll be a sheep. When the other two jibe at this one she/he should look surprised and a little upset.

First & Third Curmudgeons: Baaaa, Baaaa,

Third Curmudgeon: I wonder if he/she’ll be the black sheep of the family?

First Curmudgeon: Naw, he/she is more like a shepherd?

Third Curmudgeon: A shepherd?

First Curmudgeon: Yeah, he/she likes to fleece people!

Second Curmudgeon: Now come on you two. Wouldn’t you like to feel good about doing something in your life? Wouldn’t you like to give up a coffee or two just to make a difference in someone’s life?

First and Third Curmudgeon: (in shock) Give up a coffee?!

First Curmudgeon: Heretic.

Second Curmudgeon: Yeah. Maybe. But if each of us just started to give a bit of our money to the Mission and Service of our United Church, that would make a difference.

Enthusiast: Churches supported by grants from Mission & Service within [local] Presbytery/Conference include: [list here].

Did you know about campus ministry at Universities across Canada? They have excellent programs for students and faculty at many of these facilities.  Students are supported at times of stress over exams or loneliness as this may be their first time away from home for an extended time. Some may require grief counseling if a close family member or friend has passed away during their absence from their home environment.  This may be a student’s first major experience with studying or working with students from foreign countries. Through campus ministries students will celebrate special holidays together and be introduced to customs and traditions of different cultures.

Preacher: In essence Jesus does not threaten us in this passage. He encourages us. God in Jesus encourages us to love one another as Jesus has loved us. This judgement of the nations passage is not an end of the world scenario. It’s about people being shown that in the places they least suspect it, they will find God. It shows us that we can help by being caring for those who exist around us. We don’t have to do great things all the time. We can do small things with great love. God encourages us. Reach out.

First Curmudgeon: I’m convinced. I’m going to start my giving to Mission and Service right now!

Second Curmudgeon: And you know what, I’m going to do mine through PAR.

Third Curmudgeon: Through what? PAR? Does that mean you only give on the golf course? 

Second Curmudgeon: No, No. It means I’m going to ensure that the money is there for the church all the time, not just when I remember to give a gift. I can always give more, but this way it gets to where it’s needed and they don’t have to worry about it. 

First Curmudgeon: And you know what? We don’t even have to give up cream in our coffee. We can make a difference and we can begin anytime. That’s what the preacher meant isn’t it? God is always looking for us to act. And so we will.

Enthusiast: You too can discover how to make a difference in the lives of many people who need help here in our own area and all across the world through Mission & Service.  As a congregation of the United Church of Canada, we are part of Mission & Service. Please join me in giving it your support?

Preacher: God in Jesus demonstrates a special concern for the suffering of the world. When we stand with and on behalf of the least, there we will find Christ and discover what it means to be a community of faith. Jesus came for the mending of creation and in him the poor, the oppressed and outcasts experience God’s liberating and saving love.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

Just Imagine!

1 Peter 2:2-10  Easter 5 Year A

Just imagine!

What is the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the phrase, “Just Imagine”?

Lottery advertisements?

(Ontario has a lottery called 649 that used the phrase “Just imagine” as the way to entice people to buy the tickets)

John Lennon’s song “Imagine”?

Today I want you to come with me as we do a different kind of “Just imagine!”

Just imagine!

At a gathering of congregational leaders, this question was asked:

What would happen in your congregation if your “professional minister” disappeared and the laity had to do everything from now on?

Don’t tell us what you think you should do, but be honest and tell us what you expect would really happen.

Would anyone notice?

From the sound of the room and the volume level, this generated quite an energetic conversation.

Just imagine!

No minister to plan and lead worship. No minister to give direction to committees. No minister to visit people in need. No minister to provide leadership as you live out your vision for your church. Maybe you’ve had a time period without a minister between ministers or during sickness so you have a taste of what this could be like. Maybe this is the normal state of affairs in your congregation. Maybe it sounds like a good idea!?

Just imagine!

OK, let’s take it further.

What would happen in your congregation if the “wider church” ceased to exist? All of it.

Think about that.

And be honest, what do you expect would really happen in that case?

Would anyone notice?

Just imagine!

Maybe your initial response is one of celebration!  Wahoo!!  No more interference from outside.  No more annual forms.  No more meetings to take up the time of our minister and our “wider church” reps.  Heck!  We wouldn’t have to beat the bushes to find reps anymore! 

No more “wider church” sticking its nose into our business.  No more waiting for the “wider church” to find people to assign to a Joint Needs Assessment Committee when it’s time to change ministers.  Same for Joint Search Committees.  No more hoops to jump through and forms to fill out.

No more Mission & Service and assessments taking money away from our congregation.

Just imagine!

At first, I suspect the idea sounds a lot like what many late teen and early 20’s start to think about moving out of the house.  “Freedom!!”  “We can do what we want, when we want, without Mom & Dad looking over our shoulders.”  No more hassles.  No more rules.  Just do what we want.

Sounds great!  Just imagine!

However...

Do you remember your youthful days?  When you moved out on your own? 

Wasn’t it great?!  Wasn’t it just what you thought it would be?!!

Until all your clothes were worn and the laundry was lying in a pile with no one to wash it for you.

Until all the dishes had been used (perhaps on both sides?) with no one to wash them for you.

Until the dust was an inch thick and the cleaning elves didn’t show up.

Until there were bills to be paid and no money for fun and friends.

Until you were sick and no one was there to help or comfort you.

Just imagine!

Just imagine what church life would be like without the “wider church”.  When everything is going smoothly it could even work, for a while. 

Until...

No support, no encouragement, no sober second thought, when the time comes to consider what your ministry needs are and how to enact the vision God is calling you to fulfill

. 

Heaven forbid, but when the minister and the congregation aren’t getting along, there is no one to turn to.  You’re on your own.  Or when parts of the congregation are in conflict with other parts of the congregation.  Solve the conflict yourself, or pay a mediator to come in and help, because you’re on your own.

And you’d better be good at training your own minister.  No “wider church”, no Discernment committees.  No training for new ministers.  No making sure that people who want to be ministers are actually called and fit for the position. 

Oh, and you’d better like that minister you have now.  No “wider church” could make it difficult to find a new minister.  It could also make it difficult for a minister to find you, so I hope you like the ministry situation you have now. You could be stuck this way for a long time.

Oh, and how do you feel about lawsuits?  Without the “wider church” to help guide the processes of calling a minister or getting rid of a minister, the chance for a lawsuit increases.  Improper dismissal.  Problems with benefits and pay. 

Even the networks of support that the “wider church” encourages between congregations would be less likely to occur.  I imagine congregations becoming more and more self-absorbed and isolated without the links to the “wider church”.  No “wider church” to remind us of what’s going on “out there”!  No “wider church” to challenge us to try new things and respond to other issues. 

Similarly for ministers.  The “wider church” provides a natural and initial set of relationships for ministry personnel when they are new to the area.  A place to meet.  A place to share ideas and struggles.  A place to ask for help or to celebrate with others.

The “wider church” has a real ministry to us as well as through us.

After all, we are the “wider church”.

And as for no Mission & Service and assessments to take money away from our congregation, how do you think so much of the support and resources and help from the “wider church” is paid for? 

No “wider church”?  No Mission & Service.  No global outreach with the 94 mission and justice partners around the world, providing education, health care, sustainable agriculture, clean water, and human rights, except what your congregation does. 

No Mission & Service?  No community development and justice work through 64 community ministries, 36 chaplaincies and 20 ecumenical and interfaith agencies in Canada, except what your congregation does. 

No Mission & Service?  No support to 84 local congregations and outreach ministries, no grants for youth programming, no work toward reconciliation with First Nations, except what your congregation does. 

No Mission & Service?  United Church resources for study groups, Sunday School, worship, theological education, church governance and stewardship; all gone, unless your congregation creates them.

Just imagine!

It’s so important for each of us to realise that we also are the “wider church”.  

Just as each individual follower of Jesus makes up the congregation, so the congregation, the Pastoral Charge, makes up the “wider church”.

The Bible tells us that as followers of Jesus we are like living stones, being built into a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:5)  I am the church, just as each of you is the church.  It’s how God intended it to be.  Us, together.

So, also, I am the “wider church”, just as you and this congregation are the “wider church”.  Again, it’s how God intended it to be.  My ministry, your ministry, our ministry, is the ministry of the “wider church”.  We are the church, together living out God’s mission to each other and for each other, and for all the people of God’s world.

Just imagine!

Living without the friends around us that we call the local church.

Just imagine!

Living without the support and guidance of that other thing we are, the “wider church”.

I can’t imagine it.

Think about it.

1.    Just imagine!  What would happen in your congregation if the “wider church” ceased to exist?

2.    How can this congregation celebrate and lift up the value and ministry which is ours through “wider church”?

3.    In your praying this week, please pray for the ministry of our “wider church”, The United Church of Canada.

AMEN.

Say “Yes!”

Preached on an Annual Meeting Sunday

[This sermon looks at the stewardship of our choices and all parts of our lives. It is not a money sermon.  It works equally well not on an annual meeting Sunday.]

I know not a lot of time today to read all the Annual reports.

So much happening!  So busy we are.

So much that it’s not possible for any one person to be part of it all.

As the number of activities and programs we could each be a part of increases, each of us will be required to pick and choose how we are involved.  It’s true in all aspects of life.  Especially if you have kids, but I hear it’s equally true in retirement.

It’s no longer possible for any of us, to do it all.

Which requires a new way of thinking.

What I don’t want is any of us to get the idea that IF I CAN’T DO IT ALL I WON’T DO ANY OF IT!

Instead, each of us needs to ask ourselves the question:  Which activities will help me to grow in faith?  Which activities will I make time for in my busy schedule?

Adopting this new mind-set will also require us to learn a vital skill - HOW TO SAY “NO.”  Both in our church life, and equally in our personal and family lives. 

Saying “NO” can be a hard skill to learn.  NO can disappoint people.  NO can put us at odds with people.  NO can make us feel guilty.  At least it can seem that way at the time.  But NO is required for healthy living.

Let me ask you, “What do you need to say NO to in your life?”  “How do you decide whether to say NO to something?”

[If you are able to, this is a good point to show the Nooma video “Shells.”  If you can’t that’s OK.]

I want to suggest that in order to say NO, I have to know to what I’ve said YES.

Doesn’t that make sense?

It’s an idea that Rob Bell develops in a video in the Nooma series entitled “Shells”.

He tells the story of one of his kids running into the ocean to grab a starfish, only to find that he can’t because his hands are already full of shells.  The only way to get the starfish is to let go of the shells.  The idea is clear.  If I’ve said yes to shells, then I can’t also say yes to the starfish.  In order to say yes to the starfish, I have to say no to the shells.

Think about that in your life.  It makes sense.

If I’ve said YES to hockey, than I have to say NO to activities that interfere with hockey.  Right?

If I’ve said YES to getting the best job I can, then I have to say NO to anything that gets in the way of getting that job.  It makes sense.

If I’ve said YES to keeping my family intact and healthy, then I have to say NO to anything that gets in the way of that goal.  Of course.

If I’ve said YES to growing closer to God by following Jesus, then again, I have to say NO to anything that stands in the way of growing that relationship.  It just makes sense.  In fact it more than makes sense, it’s imperative.

So Rob Bell encourages us with this idea, “We must examine the rhythms of our life if we’re ever going to will the one thing.”  Hear the need for intentionality in that statement?  Randomly reacting to life’s opportunities isn’t good enough.  Just doing everything that comes our way, isn’t good enough.  There MUST be intentionality.  We MUST examine and choose with purpose. 

What have I said YES to?

What have you said YES to?

And this is so true, not just for us personally, but also for us as a church.  Saying NO is based on what we have already said YES to.

As a congregation of God’s people striving to follow Jesus we have said YES to this:
[The mission statement for your congregation].

Therefore, to what might we have to say NO?

Having said YES to our mission will help us decide to what we have to say NO.

Having said YES to these things will help us decide what we have to let go of, what we have to lay down, and also, to what we have to say YES!

So here’s my hope and prayer for us this year and in the coming years.  Guided by God’s Spirit and embracing God’s path for us, in our personal lives and as a church, may we be healthy, may we be intentional, and may we be like Jesus, able to say NO, because we’ve already said YES.

Think about it:

1.    What do you need to say NO to in your life?

2.    How do you decide whether to say NO to something?”

3.    To what have you said YES?

AMEN.

Legacy Sermon

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Communion

Today we will participate in a practice of legacy. (Indicate the table)

It’s Jesus’ last night with his friends. Passover celebration.

When we read and compare the 4 versions of this story from the 4 gospels, (especially in John’s gospel, even though Jesus doesn’t establish communion there) Jesus appears to know what is coming and is planning for when it occurs.

He teaches (John). He models servanthood (John). He gives the disciples a practice to engage in. (Matthew, Mark, Luke). He predicts his betrayal or handing over. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Very intentional. Not leaving anything to chance. “Here’s what’s coming. Do this in remembrance of me.”

There is a pattern here for us to emulate. And we have, for the last almost 2000 years. And we will today. The sacrament of communion, the Eucharist. “Do this in remembrance of me.”

There is another pattern here for us to emulate, though. That of preparing for what we believe is coming.

Hold that thought, over here.


This morning we heard read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

The Apostle Paul’s intro to his instructions about the Lord’s Supper; communion again.

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (NRSV)

Again, there is a pattern here for us to emulate.

“For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.”

The pattern of receiving and passing along.

Eric Law, in his book Holy Currencies, takes up this imagery and talks about keeping resources flowing, like water. A healthy, beautiful, clear, stream is one that flows. As soon as the water ceases to flow, it becomes stagnant and sick. Similarly with our resources and currencies. We need to keep them flowing.

I receive. I pass along.

Now bring back that earlier thought you put aside. Remember?

The pattern of preparing for what we believe is coming; what Jesus was doing for his disciples on that last night he was with them. Establishing a legacy.

Each of us needs to consider what will be our legacy. One day, hopefully after a long and fulfilling lifetime, but you never know, each of us will die and leave this earth. And interestingly, many of the things we believe will happen to us after our death we believe because of what Jesus taught on his last night, in that upper room, around the table, according to John’s gospel. “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” “I go to prepare a place for you.” “Where I am, there you may be also.”

And so we have faith and trust in God that, as our new creed tells us, “In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone” and so we say, “Thanks be to God.”

Our Christian faith gives us hope and brings us peace about our own death and future life.

But we’re not there yet. And that’s good.

Because in the meantime, we have the opportunity to prepare for that day. We have time to consider what will be our legacy; to pass along what we have received and keep our resources flowing, even after we are gone.

If you would like further information about planning your legacy and making a gift to your church, please contact the church office or your local Stewardship & Gifts Officer. They would be happy to meet with you and offer possibilities and resources to help in your decision making.

(You can find a list of Stewardship & Gifts Officers here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0ONYpGPGJTfOTZsMjVpOHZhXzg/view accessed through the stewardshiptoolkit.ca web-site.)

Now to grease those gears and get you thinking, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacrament of communion with Christ and with each other, let me leave you with a couple of questions to ponder.

1. How does your Christian faith give you hope and peace about the end of your life on earth?

2. What legacy will you be passing along, in remembrance of Jesus?



AMEN.