Loading...Sermon – July 26, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, Newport, PA
Pentecost IX Proper 12, Track 2
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
Please be seated.
One thing I’ve noticed in my life is that many times I think pretty small. For instance, I often recall my years in Washington, DC, working with The National Association of Social Workers as a time when I thought small AND God was thinking much bigger!
In that position, as Special Assistant to the Executive Director and later Director of External Relations, I was able to experience things that were never even on my bucket list! I co-authored several articles that were published in books. I edited a special publication on Leadership styles as exemplified by Whitney Young. I coordinated the writing of a grant involving an oncology care exchange between Hungary and the United States and was able to go to Hungary. I traveled to Hong Kong for an International Social Work Conference. I attended the 2008 Democratic National Convention. I assisted with a social work trip to South Africa. One year, my father called me on my birthday and I was at the “White House” (really the Executive Office Building next door) for a meeting to address child abuse.
In my memory, I enjoyed every minute of it, although I’m sure there were tough times and it wasn’t always easy. The thing I remember most is that I never thought I’d do any of those things. I never put them on a list of goals. I never worked towards them. I felt like they were gifts and blessings from God. They also reminded me that my own plans were so small.
Have you had those experiences in your own life? Watching your children grow? Looking at all of the years you worked and the things you accomplished? Having an unusual stop on an otherwise routine trip?
Sometimes we don’t even see what we accomplish or do while we are living. As someone once said, we plant seeds for trees that we will not see grow. I think that must be true of the founders of our church community, The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen.
Today we are blessed by the presence of two recent Rectors, Father Warne and Mother Messersmith, nearly 40 years out of over 125 years of faithful work and witness. Yet, there were many prior to them. Every Sunday when we worship here, we look at this beautiful stained glass window, given by Mr. & Mrs. Bechtel.
Since I’ve arrived, I’ve been asking about the Bechtels. You see, they loved this church community so much that they left ½ of their fortune to us! They did not know us. They did not know who would come along after them. Yet, they had faith and they loved God and they felt such a strong connection to the importance of this church community in this place that they gave generously in life and again in death, with no strings attached! They understood what Paul is saying to the Ephesians in our Epistle today…that God’s power working within us as individuals and within us as a community can accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine! Abundantly far more than anything we can ask…than anything we can even imagine!
Did the Bechtels imagine what Newport would look like today? Did the Bechtels imagine what our faith community could and would do over the years? They maybe didn’t envision how things would be today, but they did have faith that this religious community could and would make a difference. They did have faith that the members, including us, would endeavor to be Christ’s hands, heart and feet to this region. They did have faith in us. They wanted to be sure the welcoming and loving presence of Jesus Christ as taught in our church, would be present for generations to come. They knew that God working through us would transform our communities…would bring at least glimpses of God’s Kingdom here on earth.
No, we’re not perfect. I’m sure there have been bumps along the way…. Mistakes and even ugliness between members. I’m sure we’ve exhibited all of the failings and frailties of our human nature. Yet, we are still here and we have great examples from those who have gone before us and a strong foundation to build upon.
Let us give thanks for so many who went before us…who lived faithfully and gave generously to this faith community. And let us follow their example… being faithful...trusting God…being led to the abundance we couldn’t ask for nor imagine, so future generations will have just as strong a foundation and just as strong a commitment to do God’s work here in this place.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
