Sermon 6-19-11
Final Sermon at RMC
Trinity Sunday, Year A
2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
“Good Words”
It is quite fitting that today’s Scripture readings are final words. These are the assigned passages for Trinity Sunday, as they both offer blessings or benedictions in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The passage in Matthew occurs after the Resurrection and gives us the final words that Jesus shared with his disciples in Galilee as he sent them out to carry on His mission in the world. In the passage from 2nd Corinthians, we hear Paul’s final words to the gathered community in Corinth.
These benedictions in Matthew and 2nd Corinthians are good words, exactly what bene-diction means–good words. Benedictions are words shared with people to affirm, encourage, and challenge those listening. Benedictions are words that send us out into the world to follow the Triune God’s leading. We think of Benedictions coming at the end of a worship gathering to send those gathered out to live God’s love in the world, but they can come at any point in the gathering, and they can come in many different circumstances. Good words are always appropriate, and they serve as reminders for us of the relationship we have with the Triune God and the relationships we have with gathered community where we are hearing these good words.
With today being Father’s Day, we are likely thinking about relationships we have with our own fathers or father-figures who have played important roles in our lives. It’s a day to think about all kinds of relationships, whether they are with family, friends, or those in our community. With today also being Trinity Sunday, we are invited to think about the relationship we have with God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I also am drawn to think about my relationship with this community where I have been called by God to serve over the past three years.
As I’ve thought about good words and the relationship I have with this community, I thought it might be fun to offer my own good words–my own benediction– to the church in Raleigh. I begin by offering my thanks to Brother Paul for providing a template in his second letter to the Corinthians.
So here goes:
Sister Suzanne, a servant of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the church of God that is in Raleigh, including all the saints throughout the Triangle:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [1]
As I go on from this place to further service to the Moravian Church and the ministry of parenthood, Steve, my partner in ministry, and I “walk by faith, not by sight” confident that God is working for Good in all places and through all things. [2] We are excited about the ministries to which we have been called, and give thanks for all that you have done for us and with us in this ministry we have all shared together here in this place.
As we have been in relationship with you in this wonderful community, we give thanks that we all have grown together in our faith and devotion to Christ. Through these relationships, we have seen glimpses of God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, knowing that it is God that is at work in and through us.
As Brother Paul said so eloquently, “For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as [servants] for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” [3]
I have taken this opportunity to think back over the three years we have been together serving Christ in this community, and many memories bring me great joy and thankfulness–many things fill our clay jars! There are many gifts that God has given to this community, and there are too many memories and too many people to name here!
There are many great memories of seeing Christ in the faces of those around us. I’ve seen Christ in the faces of those we’ve served while shaking hands and offering greetings in line at the Men’s Shelter. Clothing and toiletries, care and love are passed out month after month thanks to your donations. I saw Christ as I watched this community shower love on a family that showed up for worship off the street on a hot day last summer. Then we continued the hospitality to these angels in our midst as they were treated to lunch and a hotel room for the night.
I saw Christ while sitting under the big maple tree last summer at Mission Camp in Sparta. We were on our lunch break and Richard led our work team and homeowner in worship with his guitar. I also saw Christ at work in the sweet potato field as we gleaned. We had fun while helping feed our neighbors and live out our Biblical mandate.
I have been continually amazed at the generosity and care I have seen poured out here in the name of love and friendship. Whether it was an impromptu cookout to celebrate our relationship with our friends from our sister church in Costa Rica or the many, many volunteers who give so generously of their time to support mission endeavors–either through travel, donations or fundraising, I have been continually amazed at the generosity present among God’s people here.
It is a good thing when older generations pass along the faith to younger generations. Whether it is crafting for a good cause like the Blanket Bee or workshops preparing for Candle Tea, new people are introduced to the crafts traditions and stories of our faith. The Preschool is living out our Moravian heritage of education in wonderful ways. Whether it is candle making with Preschool parents or celebrating a Graduation Lovefeast in a very Moravian style, we are sharing who we are with the greater community. I give thanks for the visionaries who worked to bring the Preschool to fruition and those who will shape it in the future.
It is a blessing to learn together. Whether it is wandering the fields of Bethabara with the Confirmation class or sharing life together through small group discussions, you are forming and reforming community grounded in Christ. Mission trips provide great opportunities to learn together. I have learned so much about noticing the small details and beauty of God’s creation while listening to Kelsey’s stories about the latest “God Weed” she saw on the worksite at Mission Camp. Mission Trips share skills as everyone learns together. I remember how excited I was to learn from my fearless teacher Marty about how to finish handrails for stairs by adding pickets. I still smile thinking about when I overheard how excited Elliot at being able to finally stay up all night on the BBQ cooking crew learning skills from the masters. Watching the generations learn and explore together at the Putzing Adventures is a way to learn together and celebrate the life of the church.
Speaking of celebrating the rhythm of the church year, there are a myriad of ways that you mark the special holy-days in the life of the church. Advent wreath lightings, Christmas Around the World with the children, Ash Wednesday services, Lenten Faire, Easter rounds with the Band, Sunrise service and the customary Krispy Kreme run afterwards–these traditions gather us as a community in faith and shape our living to be more and more in synch with the larger story of Scripture. Grinning with glee, this past Good Friday I saw Georgia and her dad Wayne arrive to reset the putz during the service so it would be ready to tell the story of Good Friday as everyone left that day. A tradition is passed on to another generation lives out the rhythm yet again.
I give thanks that this community has fun together. You support one another both inside and outside the walls of this building. From movie nights to Race for the Cure, people gather to enjoy one another’s company. What a blessing to have the Relay for Life team win best Team Spirit together for the first time as a team, and for both the Race and Relay teams had so much fun they did it again the following year. From attending dance concerts, sporting events, plays and music concerts, you care for and love one another and show it in tangible ways! You have also cared for me, and I am truly grateful! From notes and emails to spam, mustard and marshmallows in my lovefeast buns, you make me smile and I give thanks every time I think of you.
It is a blessing for a church to be willing to share the resources available with those outside the community, and this congregation does that very well! The Flower Shuttle continues to blossom, and through sometimes growing pains are felt, this church is generous to allow the facilities to be shared. The Preschool, Blood Drives and our friends from Brundi worshiping with us are further examples of this stewardship of resources.
Though our relationship changes as my time here as your Associate Pastor comes to an end, I will always hold you in my heart with much love. I continually give thanks for you. I also pray that you continue to grow in your relationship with Christ and commitment to live in such a way as to bring God’s kingdom to earth here in this little corner of the world.
Now follow the leading of the Spirit in all you do. Test everything to be sure it is from God. Do not be fearful in sharing God’s love with everyone you meet. Kind words and caring actions speak volumes. Live as though others will ask why you are living the way you do so that you can invite them to know the God who calls us to live lives of love. Ask tough questions. Wrestle with what it means to be Moravians in the Triangle in the 21st Century. What is it that God is calling you to do. Where is God sending you?
Strive for understanding–especially of those most different than you. Dig deeper to know God more. Reach out farther into the community to make God’s kingdom more visible around you. Take risks to share God’s love in new ways. “I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.” [4] And I know the good work that God is doing here will continue as you listen together for where God is leading and sending you.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” [5] Amen.
[1] adapted from 2 Cor. 1:1-2
[2] 2 Cor. 5:7
[3] 2 Cor. 4:5-7
[4] 2 Cor. 7:16
[5] 2 Cor. 13:11-13
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