SERMON, EASTER 4C, PS. 100, REV. 7:9-17

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands. Come before his presence with a song.

And a multitude that no one could count along with angels gathered around the throne of God and sang.

I read a comment on a blog the other day, and while I don't agree with what he was saying overall, I found one of his statements applicable to our readings today. He said, "Worship must have priority in our lives."

If I remember correctly (and I'm probably not), he was arguing against the church as just another social service agency. I think he was saying that if we focus on the MDG's or the work of ERD, then we are simply another Red Cross or UNICEF. And doing that, he argued, doesn't further the spread of the gospel. (If I'm remembering the argument wrong, my apologies)

Now I could go off and talk about the whole sheep and goats thing over in Matthew 25, or Jesus telling Peter to "Feed my sheep," or the fact that we don't know who will ultimately belong to Jesus' flock, but I won't. Instead, I want to focus on the thought that worship is central to our lives; because regardless of the rest of the argument, I think he was right on this point.

On that very first First Day of the Week, the disciples of Jesus were gathered together in one place when he appeared among them and said, "Peace be with you." We have been gathering in one place on the first day of the week with the presence of Jesus among us ever since. We gather to hear the word, to worship and praise God, to celebrate the resurrection and to participate in Holy Communion. And at the end of the liturgy, we are sent out into the world refreshed, renewed and strengthened for service and ready to proclaim the gospel to the world around us.

Sunday morning worship, therefore, is central to our life. Our community worship defines who we are as Christians. Because we have gathered on the first day of the week ever since the crucifixion, because Jesus is present with us, because we draw our spiritual strength from this community, our participation in worship is not optional.

Let me say that again: Sunday morning worship is not optional. It is rooted in the central tenet of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is what we simply do as Christians.

We don't come to have our needs met. We don't come for cheap grace or painless pardon. We come to worship God within a community of believers. Needs will be met, grace will be offered, pardon will be granted, but all of that happens within the context of continual and intentional worship. And it is in that worship that we are unified.

One of the reasons I like Eucharistic Prayer C, which we are using throughout the Easter season, is because of its prayer of supplication. That prayer, more than any other I think, drives this all home: "Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this table for solace only and not for strength; for pardon only and not for renewal. Let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name." We are here to gain solace and strength, pardon and renewal, and we are unified through the body and blood of Jesus so that we may go forth and invite and include and proclaim.

The other reason I like Prayer C is because all of you are expected to participate more fully in the service than with the other three Eucharistic Prayers. Worship isn't simply watching what goes on up front, mumbling our way through responses while the priest waves his arms around. Worship is active, engaging and a shared experience by everyone present. That's why "All Those Present" is listed first on the back of the bulletin under Participants. Worship is active and engaging and a celebration. We should be excited to be part of something where the risen Christ is present among us. And if you don't believe me when I say it's a celebration, turn to page 354.

Our worship is a celebration. Who is invited to the party? Who is welcome here? How about, "Everyone who chooses to accept the invitation"? Our worship reflects and embodies everything about our faith. Our worship isn't just for people who look like us, talk like us, or think like us. Our worship is for Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, male and female, black and white, rich and poor; our worship is for everyone who is willing to proclaim Christ's resurrection with us. Our worship should reflect that cosmic inclusive celebration that was and is and is yet to come.

A great multitude from every nation, all tribes and peoples and languages worshiped God and sang.

All lands and uncountable multitudes worship and sing and are glad. Worship is what we do. It's central to our being. It's where we draw strength and comfort. For everyone who accepts the invitation to celebrate, it's not an option because it is central to who we are.

Keep that in mind: worship is central to who we are as Christians. Keep in mind also that at the end of the worship service we may be dismissed from the liturgy but we are not dismissed from our duties. We are sent forth into the world. We are sent forth as missionaries to give light and hope to a dull and often hopeless world. We are sent to extend God's invitation into all lands so that everyone can be joyful in the Lord, and we are sent to invite all people to sing along with the heavenly choir.

Being here should not be a Sunday morning chore or just one of many things on your to-do list. This is who we are. This is what we do. Christ is alive! Be joyful in the Lord and come before his presence with a song!

Alleluia! Christ is risen!