Sermon
Feast of St. John the Evangelist (tr.)
1 John 1:1-9
Welcome to the annual St. John's Day
Celebration and Ministry Fair. For those who pay attention to such
things, the Feast of St. John is celebrated on December 27, but we
received special permission from the bishop to transfer the St. John
Propers to today. And, yes, I have to ask. But technicalities
aside, “Welcome.” Welcome back the music at 8 a.m. Welcome back
to our choir. Welcome back to our Sunday school teachers. Welcome
back everyone who has been on vacation. And welcome to any and all
visitors. Welcome to St. John's and today's festivities.
This congregation takes its name from
St. John the Evangelist. I don't know why that name was chosen or
assigned, because it's not like there is a shortage of parishes named
St. John's in these parts. But let me venture a guess.
I would guess that the reason for
taking on this name is because of the beauty of both the fourth
gospel and the three letters attributed to author whom tradition
calls John. The fourth gospel and those three letters are beautiful
pieces of literature.
In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God and the Word was God.
All things came into being through him,
and without him not one thing came into being.
God did not send the Son into the world
to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved
through him.
This is the message we have heard from
him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no
darkness at all.
This is the message you have heard from
the beginning, that we should love one another.
Add to this their high christology and
theme of love that runs not only through these writings, but as the
overall theme of the New Testament, and it's no wonder why St. John
is a popular patron.
And I believe with my whole heart that
this particular parish of St. John's reflects the best of our patron
Saint. The beauty of the gospel and letters are reflected in the
beauty of this space. From the steeple to the altar, we gather in a
beautiful space. The beauty we see here can seem other-worldly. The
beauty of this space breathes holiness. The beauty of this space is
the first thing that reminds us we are in the presence of God and
that we are standing on holy ground.
But there's an old saying that goes,
“Beauty is only skin deep.” And that can certainly be true of
any parish that relies solely on its building.
Joelene and I attended another church
last Sunday. The building was certainly beautiful and easy to find
(if you were walking and didn't have to maneuver around closed
streets). When we walked in it felt like church, if you know what I
mean. But that was the extent of it. Nobody greeted us. The Peace
was obligatorily and enthusiastically shared, but the singing and
congregational responses were lackluster. Nobody spoke to us as we
filed out the door. And the priest did nothing more than say, “Good
morning.” It was, in my opinion, a beautiful church on the
outside, but one that lacked any depth of beauty.
We also have a beautiful space, as
you've noticed. But we also have an inner beauty that goes much
deeper than the steeple and/or altar.
We value the people who worship here.
We strive to include people in a variety of ministries. We will
greet you as you enter and, if we don't recognize you, do our best to
not abandon you either as you try to figure out the Episcopal book
shuffle or as we invite you downstairs for coffee hour. We try to
treat outsiders and visitors as we ourselves want to be treated, with
dignity, respect, and a smile.
This beauty will also be reflected in
the ministry fair as people serve, and are encouraged to serve, for
the mission of the Church. Everything we do is geared toward
fulfilling that mission of restoring all people to unity with God
through Jesus Christ. In-reach, outreach, and ministries of all
kinds look to reflect the kingdom of God in the here and now, and it
is a beautiful thing.
In the words of St. John, we declare to
you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have
seen, what we have touched – that our fellowship is with God the
Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. The fellowship found here
among the people and within our ministries reflects the fellowship of
God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And this is the message we have heard
and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at
all. In this building the beautiful light from God shines. In our
people and in our ministries, the light of God through Christ can be
seen. This is a place of inner joy, beauty, and light. This is a
place where the presence of God dwells in all things – yes, even in
Vestry meetings.
And in case you think I am painting an
overly-rosy picture of the goodness of this parish, let me say that
we are not perfect. We have disagreements and arguments. We don't
always get it right. I've made my share of mistakes over the past
year. But what I've noticed about this congregation is that we do
acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, and we do work towards
forgiveness and reconciliation.
This parish embodies all that St. John
represents – love, light, honesty, and a high christology that
acknowledges the fully human aspect of Christ that is joined with the
fully divine glory of the godhead. This parish represents the beauty
reflected in the writings of St. John – both in its physical beauty
and deeper down, in the beauty of our soul.
Today is our St. John's Day Celebration
and Ministry Fair. I encourage you to take in the beauty of it all
and consider how you might reflect the beauty of this parish in
thought, word, and deed.
We are St. John's. We are named for a
Saint who wrote of light, life, and love. And I will testify to all
these things because I know they are true.
Will you?
Amen.
2 comments:
Sounds like a really great place!
It is . . . that's why I'm all the way over here on the right coast.
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