Sermon for May 13          Anniversary/Mother’s Day           “Roots and Wings”

“I say these things in the world so that they may have the fullness of my joy in their hearts” How glorious a thing it is to have Jesus praying for us. We do not often think of that in our gentle or frantic prayers.  But here in John’s Gospel we are reminded that Jesus is holding us in prayer. That has been so since the beginning.

I can imagine in my mind the setting some 159 years ago as the men sat around a dining room table the women in the kitchen (I am not being sexist here but let’s remember its 1859). Of course there were lots of ideas being discussed but I also imagine no decision was made until the women had their say as to how thing were to unfold. It was not true then nor is it true now that all the power and decision making happens by those sitting at the table.

We are rooted in the Methodist and Wesleyan tradition that holds biblical truth and a passion for Spirit as its gift for a prosperous church. There is also a gift of stubbornness. Not one, not two but three fires did not dampen the zeal for the Gospel and for the mission of Jesus in Fairville and Lancaster and now Saint John. Each time a new building was constructed, beginning in a barn, moving to a new church on Church Ave. to a rebuilt church on the same site (which many remember still) to our current site in 1960. The reach of the church’s mission in the community was essential and church events and hall become the focal point of the community.

And in all this we hear the prayer of Jesus…that they may have the fullness of my joy in their hearts.

In the lesson from Acts we see the disciples gathered to choose a replacement for Judas. They follow the direction and emulate Jesus. First those who are eligible gather there are about 120. These had to be witnesses of Jesus from Baptism to death. In the envelope of prayer two are chosen and after more prayer for guidance one is chosen. Matthias is the one chosen to be of the twelve. Justus and the other 118 are not left behind. They continue a vital and essential ministry. For those with longer memories than me of St. Mark’s you will know that the right leadership has emerged at the right time. That never meant that the ministry of everyone else was not vital. It is critically vital. We cannot all be the chair of the board or the organist, we cannot all be the lead for UCW or men’s club, we cannot all operate the sound system or read scripture in church. We all are vital to ministry and that has been so for 159 years and will be into the future.

In my few years in your midst, I am deeply grateful for the dedication to faith and prayer, for the depth of leadership and willingness to step forward in faith and lead. I am thankful for all the little, often hoped not noticed, bits and pieces that get done by all sorts of people.

And in all this we hear the prayer of Jesus…that they may have the fullness of my joy in their hearts.

Where do you go from here? We are well rooted in our history and our faith. That has given us capacity to spread our wings and fly. It is my hope and prayer that we will hold to the Wesleyan passion for scripture and the Methodist zeal for Holy Spirit. I know the 21st century will hold its own challenges for be the keepers and speakers of the word of Jesus. I am not alone in believing there is a new reformation in progress. Our wings give us the gift of sight and direction and we will not be lost in the upheaval. This I know is true for St. Mark’s for we are well rooted and because of that have wings to fly.

Also in all this is the prayer of Jesus… that they may have the fullness of my joy in their hearts. And this more than anything, I believe.