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A Sermon by
Donel McClellan and Cynthia Bauleke
A Sermon by
Donel McClellan and Cynthia Bauleke
A
Conversation
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
- Epiphany Three - January 25, 2004 DONEL Well, Cindy, we have made it
through another year of life in the First Congregational Church of
Bellingham, Washington, United Church of Christ CINDY And it has been an eventful
year. All you have to do is look around to see the evidence of what we have
done as a congregation. DONEL You mean the building? CINDY No, I mean the people, these
wonderful folks in the sanctuary, and our incredible children who are in
church school. DONEL You’re right. They are the
true “church”. Without the people there is no church. The wonderful building
is only the place where the church gathers. CINDY And it has been a busy year
with many accomplishments. DONEL I have been thinking . . .
CINDY Can I trust you on this? DONEL I’ve been thinking of all the
TV programs where God has a role: “Joan of Arcadia”, “Seventh Heaven”, and
“Highway to Heaven.” We haven’t had so much religion on the tube since “The
Flying Nun.” CINDY Do you really watch any of
those? DONEL Well, I have already confessed
in a sermon to watching “Joan of Arcadia” CINDY And your point? DONEL Well, I wonder what God might
say to us if we were a television program? CINDY I think you’re reaching. GOD So when has reaching been a
bad thing? It seems to me that it is only when you reach that you learn? CINDY Is that who I think it is? DONEL Beats me, but we might as well
make the most of it. CINDY Alright, I’ll go along. God,
what word do you have for us today? GOD If I’m not mistaken—and I
seldom am—you have already read my word for today. CINDY We read Paul’s soliloquy
comparing the Body of Christ, the church, to the human body. And we read
that there are different gifts. It seems as though Paul is trying to
encourage the people whose gifts may not be considered important or flashy.
GOD That is a good beginning
towards hearing my word. DONEL It is a good beginning, but I
think this congregation has pretty well learned what it means to share
different gifts. While we were working on our building, sweepers were as
important as pipe-wrappers and lunch-makers as honored as doorkeepers. Don’t you think we have done a
good job, God? GOD A good job, Donel? Compared to
what? Do you imagine that I spend my days watching to see if all my children
are doing a good job? I do not rest my love for you on your performance?
Whatever you attempt has my encouragement. Just as in the time of the
creation, when I see what has been created I say “Good! Good!” DONEL I’m sorry. I guess I
forgot for a moment that you are the God of love. GOD It’s alright. Just try to
learn something whenever you slip and you will be on the right path. CINDY Speaking of paths, I am
reminded of our new Labyrinth ministry. I won’t ask whether you approve, but
many of us feel that we are growing closer to you through disciplines such
as walking the labyrinth. GOD Labyrinths are good. I created
them thousands of earth years ago. They are a source of blessing. I’ll tell
you what, the next time any of you walk the labyrinth, lets plan meet in the
center. CINDY One of our goals this year is
to provide more ways for us to strengthen our spiritual lives. There are so
many avenues to approach you, so many disciplines. How do we choose one
among them? GOD That you choose one is more
important than which one you choose. I long to spend time with my children.
I am willing to meet you whenever and wherever you wish. All you need to do
is set aside a little bit of time. Find a way to pray that fits you. Try the
labyrinth, try daily meditations, try Bible study, try directed reading, try
embodied prayer, try special worship services. I made each one of you unique
and special. You will find a way of meeting me which is right for you. DONEL Sometimes I am astounded at
how different we are in this community. We bring a variety of traditions—
religious and otherwise—to worship. We have differences of opinion about so
many topics, even about you God. We represent all ages from amazing babies
to esteemed members over ninety years of age. We have different preferences
for music, for places to sit in worship, for times of worship and that only
begins to define our surprising variety. At times I wonder if our
differences will move us apart. GOD You think you deal with
differences! Look at the world I have created. Look at the followers of
Jesus over the years. Look at the church today. Your most significant task,
and the task of the whole world, is to learn to love one another and work
together for the benefit of all my children. As long as each one focuses on
what is best for them differences will separate you from each other. When
all seek what is best for the community the differences will be the creative
fuel that provides the energy for your cooperation. CINDY As you know, God, we have
worked hard to become an Open and Affirming Church which welcomes everyone.
It makes me sad when we are criticized by other Christians for our stance. GOD Don’t ask me to take sides. I
hate it when people with differences try to convince one another that I am
on one side of every controversy. You know that I have special compassion
for anyone who is made an outcast, who is denied their birthright as one of
my beloved children. On the other hand, not all who
follow me see their faithful responsibility in the same way. There is plenty
of work to be done in redeeming the world. It would be better if those who
follow me focus on their responsibility for proclaiming my Good News and
worry less about fighting with one another. You will not all travel the
same path. Do what you are called to do. Walk in the light I have given you.
Let Jesus be your guide. DONEL Thank you for that wonderful
advice, God! GOD You’re welcome Donel, but
let’s not get too familiar. That generally leads to problems. People get to
thinking they know me and understand exactly what I want, and then
they close their eyes and ears to anything else. The world changes every
minute. I change every minute. And you change all the time. We need to
communicate regularly. DONEL I hear you. Once again we have
to walk in faith. The past gives us guidance, but we need to use our own
gifts to address the present. GOD And those gifts are abundant
in this church—and in every one of my churches. Every church has been given
the gifts to accomplish the mission I am calling them to take on. As you
step forward you can trust that I will supply the resources you need. CINDY That certainly was true in our
Capital Campaigns and building process. So many of our members revealed
wonderful gifts which were vital to the success of everyone. GOD Yes, you have discovered that
when the gifts I have given are released, amazing things can happen. My
Spirit is always ready to work with groups that are open to her leadership. DONEL That brings to mind something
we struggle with, language with which to talk about you. Many of us grew up
loving the image of God as our Father. GOD Well, hasn’t that image had a
long enough run? You know, some people really began to think that I was
male. I don’t want to be in that box. And if people begin to believe that I
am female, I’ll have to break that image as well. I am your God, I love all
of you like a strong protective Mother and a compassionate nurturing Father.
Really, you people get so hung up on gender. I am who I am! CINDY And we are grateful for who
you are, God. We know that without your presence and guidance, this church
wouldn’t have survived for one hundred and twenty years. We thank you for
all you have given us. DONEL And I wonder, God, if you have
any message you would like to leave with us? GOD Dear ones, remain serious
about your faith, work for justice, love everyone, nurture creativity, make
peace in my world. CINDY AND DONEL
Amen. |