Loading...Sermon July 3, 2016
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, LSW
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen, Newport, PA
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Track 2 Proper 9
The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:1-2
Please be seated.
This Gospel story is becoming a favorite of mine. It was the summer of 2006, when in the version in Mark 6:7-11, I heard my call to the priesthood. The version in Matthew 9:35-38 was read at my ordination to the Diaconate and my ordination to the priesthood. This passage from Luke was read at our January service of Renewal of Ministry and Welcoming of a New Rector.
As I recall, the Lectionary must often include these passages at this time of year. At the Lutheran Church where I grew up, I remember the pastor preaching on these Gospels and telling us that the church needed us and were any of us called to ministry. I remember feeling in a panic for about a week that maybe I was called to ministry. But then the feeling would subside…until that time in 2006.
As I looked at this Gospel this week, I became more sure than ever that we – you and I as individuals and collectively as the community of The Church of The Nativity and St. Stephen – are those seventy that Jesus is sending out. It’s important to take a look at what Jesus is telling us.
One principle is that we do not get sent out alone. We always have at least one other person going out and doing God’s work with us. In a culture and society where individualism and self reliance is overemphasized, we can be challenged to remember that we do not have to do ministry by ourselves. Even when we’re in our place of work with no other members around, we should remember who we can call on when we need to talk about the trials and the joys we experience as we minister to those around us.
Another principle is that the “harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” There are so many who need to hear about the life we find in Jesus Christ. Many will be glad for the ministry and the work we do. Many will be glad and grateful for the ways we help them and love them. Many will be glad as they witness the way we live our lives. Yet, they may not join us. There will be fewer of us doing the work of God. Those of you who farm or have large gardens know the tiredness of gathering in a harvest without enough help! I believe the wheat harvest is upon us, for instance.
Jesus tells us to travel lightly: no purse, no bag, no sandals. Jesus wants us to focus on the mission. Some of us find traveling lightly very difficult, don’t we?
In addition, Jesus wants us to find those who are hospitable and will care for us as we minister. We’re not to stay where we’re not wanted. And we’re not to take revenge or spend our energy on negativity if people won’t welcome our ministry.
I guess the most important principle is that we are to go out! Jesus doesn’t tell his followers to stay where they are. Jesus sends them out. Jesus sends them away! Well, every single week, we all go out of these doors. Every single week, Jesus sends us out into the world!
And this past week was no exception. After our wonderful church picnic last week, I found Wendy Day and Lynne Mitchell in the kitchen at church, setting off the smoke detector as they cooked pounds and pounds of ground beef and turkey for tacos for the Monday lunch for 115 people, mostly children, at St. Barnabas.
On Tuesday, I heard that Ann and Tony Roland and Pat Szabo were serving breakfast and lunch and I imagine they used some of the brownies you’ve all been making.
Also on Tuesday, Sue Beamer and Tootser Davis were at the church for many hours. They had gone to the grocery store for the lunches for Wednesday at St. Barnabas. They were here for many hours on Tuesday, preparing sandwiches and snack bags for the program.
On Wednesday, Kay Cramer gathered a harvest of summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers and swiss chard from our garden and delivered it to the Perry County Food Bank. On Thursday she picked some more, which was delivered to the Food Bank.
On Thursday, I joined Jill Brownfield and Pat Szabo at the St. Barnabas program. Jill and Pat cooked hundreds of meatballs to make meatball subs for lunch that day. Darlene Amsler had made hundreds of blocks of finger jello in three different flavors as part of the dessert for that day. Jill and Pat allowed me to put the jello on plates to be served.
And all of you contributed by way of money, or snacks, or labor, or prayers.
Your generosity in supporting these church buildings allowed us to host a meeting of key people in the county to explore the possibility of providing more health care services to people who would otherwise have none. We were also able to host a small group looking at the issue of racism in our personal lives and in our community.
A number of you were looking at and voting upon recommendations to repair the elevator at Nativity. Others were planning work days and maintenance projects. Some were involved in upcoming worship services. Bill and Shirley Rohm brought up many of the things needed for the service today. Birthdays are remembered with a card. People are called up and looked after.
The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. We certainly labored this week. We certainly labor every week.
And then notice at the end of our Gospel reading today. What do the laborers do? They return with joy. (Luke 10:17) They return excited by what they’ve seen and what they’ve experienced. One of the very fun parts of serving lunch to the children attending St. Barnabas and their teachers is the Thank You Song. Imagine over 100 children mostly saying the words to the song. Was fun to hear them thank us.
And I was so excited to drop off some squash and arugula at the Food Bank on Friday. There were so many people there first thing in the morning. The waiting room was filled and more people were coming. I was able to put the produce in a box with other fresh produce. As people left, they could take whatever they needed from those boxes. I was happy people would get home-grown fresh vegetables.
And here we are this morning. Back together again. With time to catch up on what’s happened to us this past week. With the incredible invitation to gather at this altar and receive the meal that revives us, comforts us and sustains us… all so Jesus can send us out again this week… in fact, right after this service…up to Honnamon House to have a cookout together.
The harvest is plentiful….
Amen
