Stories, clouds, and witnesses

I'm off lectionary due to the Organ Dedication Service this Sunday so it gives me a chance to reflect on all those who have been faithful to the church over time. I read Hebrews 11 and 12 and love the reminders of the stories of that cloud of witnesses. Our stories are so important to tell and retell. But we don't sit around the fire or bake over slow-cooking stone ovens. I'm more likely to put something on the stove and pop into the living room to watch forensic television. We don't have a convenient story-telling atmosphere in daily life but our stories are so important.

Sunday the story of the organ project will be told. It involves people who will be sitting in the pews and those who have moved on to the next life. Dreamers and visionaries worked with practical concerns. Roadblocks were there and the 'impossibility' of it all loomed large from time to time and yet a great deal of money was raised off-budget, a great deal of labor was volunteered, a great deal of talent went into the rebuild and we have an incredible instrument with which to praise God.

I like hearing the stories, some I've not heard before being the 'new kid on the block'. I understand the importance of telling them. Our church, like so many others, is in a transition time. The days of a full sanctuary are memories, not current reality. The dreams for the future may need to look different than the past. Stories remind us of the heritage that brought us to this place. Stories remind us of God's faithfulness that never ends. Stories inspire us to continue in faithful response to God, trusting that whatever new thing God births in the world will be good. Even when we can't see what it is, or recognize anything that looks like 'church' to us, we can trust that our God, who acted in the lives of Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Aaron, Miriam, and so many others, CONTINUES, even now, to act in our lives - always steadfast, always faithful.

Communion for Children

This week's sermon will mimic the high Christology of Hebrews and hopefully provide a similar round of inspiration as did the Hebrews Preacher. (Tom Long's designation) I doubt I shall be so eloquent but I shall try with visuals and words to 'lift up our eyes and hearts.' Meanwhile, there's a "Sharing With Young and Young At Heart" time to develop. And, it's World Communion Sunday.

Here's a story I think I'll tell, about communion in a different 'world'. We easily forget how Jesus used common elements to reinforce the idea that he is always with us. Our occasional ceremony may remove the significance of the everyday. I think coke, pretzels, grape juice and bread will be the visuals for tomorrow.

As for high Christology, I'm working on those words. . .
and if you are interested in the full sermon, it's here.

An Unexpected Easter Children's Story

(Dialogue with children.)
“I found an Easter basket this morning.
Did you find anything special this morning? Did it look like this basket?
What do you think is in it?”
(Inside an Easter “goodie” bag are candy canes, candy hearts, and candy corn.)
“Let’s look inside.”
(Pull out candy canes.) – “What are these?
That’s not what we expected to see, is it?
When do we usually see candy canes?......
Well, that was certainly a surprise.”
“Let’s see what else I have.”
(Pull out candy hearts.) – “What are these?
That’s not what we expected to see, is it?
When do we usually get candy hearts?
Well, candy hearts were certainly a surprise.”
“I wonder what else is in here?”
(Pull out cauldron with candy corn.) – “What are theses?
That’s not what we expected to see, is it?
When do you usually eat candy corn?
That was certainly a surprise.”
“I didn’t find what I expected in my Easter Basket this morning.”

In today’s scripture story Mary and Jesus’ disciples didn’t find what they expected either. What did Mary see when she went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried?
The stone was moved away. She was surprised.
She went and got Peter and the other disciple (John) and they RAN back.
They were surprised too!
THEY DIDN’T EXPECT TO FIND THE TOMB EMPTY, BUT IT WAS.
BECAUSE JESUS WAS RISEN. JESUS WAS ALIVE!
So today we proclaim Christ is Risen and everyone answers, “He is Risen Indeed”
Let’s practice again.
Now You turn around and Say, “Christ Is Risen” and see what happens.