Sermon 08-30-09                                                                 James 1: 19-27 

Psalm 103:1-6                                                           

What Are We Doing Right?

Can you believe we are at the end of the month of August? Can you believe me if I tell you we have been busy preparing for the next calendar year, which will be starting in a couple of weeks. When I say we I mean we the church. Different groups have been meeting during the summer to plan together and vision together the coming year. It’s been an exciting and busy summer.

PRAYER

Henri Nouwen, in his book, “Making All Things New” said:  “One of the most obvious characteristics of our lives is that we are busy. We experience our days as filled with things to do, people to meet, projects to finish, letters to write, calls to make, and appointments to keep…The strange thing, however, is that it is very hard not to be busy. People expect us to be busy and to have many things on our minds. While we are busy with many things, we wonder if what we do makes any real difference…” ( pg. 23-24, 29) in our own world and in the world at large.

“Jesus wants us to move from the ‘many things’ to the ‘one necessary thing.’ It is important for us to realize that Jesus in no way wants us to leave our many–faceted world. Jesus does not speak about a change of activities, a change in contacts, or even a change of pace. He speaks of a change of heart. This change of heart makes everything different, even while everything appears to remain the same… Jesus asks us to move our hearts to the center, where all other things fall into place. To set our hearts on the kingdom therefore means to make the life of the Spirit within and among us the center of all we think, say, or do.” (pg. 41­-43)

What James is doing is contrasting for us “God’s actions to those actions expected of human beings. He begins with v. 19 talking about the importance of listening in lieu of speaking or growing angry, and to actually hear…” the word of God. (Brueggemann, Year B, pg. 490) “…anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” (v. 20)

Verse 22 moves from the integrity of thought and speech to the integrity of hearing and doing, from the character of speech to the character of action.

James reminds us to “…be doers of the word and not only hearers. Those who only hear the gospel and do not act on it are “like those who look at themselves in a mirror and immediately forget what they were like.”

What is seen in a mirror must be viewed again and again, because the impression is gone as soon as one looks away.” (idem, pg.491)

What are we doing right?

We want to reach out to others both within and around us.  I met with the Women’s Guild at the beginning of this month, they want to reach out to the younger women of the church. They are thinking about changing their name, and intentionally moving from the impression that they are an exclusive group to being a more inclusive group. They are talking about sharing their friendship, their fun spirit, their faith and having fellowship with the younger generation. They want to redefine their purpose and mission as part of CSCC – UCC.

This week, we are encouraged after meeting with several families of the church and their youth considering confirmation, as a commitment to the membership of this church body! We are encouraged after meeting with the parents and youth as they search to define a common purpose and mission.

We are encouraged after meeting with the Cabinet,  dealing with a deficit budget on the one hand and committed “up to date” pledges on the other.

As we, the staff, the deacons and the PPRC, move forward in this Interim time to looking at our History and to answer some hard questions; I can say, we are “not only hearers of the word but also doers.”

Last Tuesday’s gathering with the youth and parents, Carol chaffee used a quote from K C Dean that Kurt Walker includes in all his e-mails, that says:

“What is at stake in imagining ourselves God bearers with youth is redefining ministry – youth ministry in particular- as a holy pursuit.”

Yes, we are redefining who we are. We are looking into creating a covenant as our guide. We are creating rules for safety, respect and boundaries. We are ready to create a Mission Statement that will keep us focused on our purpose as a youth group in the life of CSCC- UCC.

The youth want to have a spiritual component in their meetings, a scripture focal point; they want to build community, have fun and do mission. The parents and other leaders are willing to building the leadership from within. I believe that with the parents involvement, pastoral presence and congregational support, we can do just that!

What are we doing right?

We want to be part of God’s plan for CSCC-UCC.

We are realizing that in the busyness of our churches families and life there is a need to be an active part of this community of faith. The families are interested in participating, and more then participating they are wanting to collaborate with each other, they are having a commitment and a spirit of coming together with a clear purpose and understanding that we are serving and acting on God’s behalf in the world.

Rev. Kristy, and the Christian Education board are working as a team to intentionally incorporate the parents and children in worship. They are creating Intergenerational Sundays to accomplish just that. When we include the children and the youth in worship they will learn by participating to understand worship and to enjoy it as a family. They will grow in their spirituality as they feed their souls.

“We have been called into the perfect law, which is the law of liberty, which enables people to live with what they see and to live out what they believe.”   (Brueggemann, pg. 491).

James affirms here that, good acts of giving originate from God. Love is the greatest gift. God’s love for us makes our love for one another not only possible, but imperative.”     (Seasons of the Spirit, Congregational Life, pg.102)

What are we doing right?

We want to receive God’s blessing.

“Those who both hear and act on the gospel “they will be blessed in their doing.” Religion is worthless if we are not able to act and to care for one another. In other words: “…what is heard in the holy place must be lived in the market place, or there is no point in hearing at all.”    (Barclay, James and Peter, pg. 59)

BENEDICTION

What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Let us out of this holy place to the market place and do just that!