1-21-01
Faces in the Crowd - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a, Luke 4:14-21
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor". In the book of Luke, the account of Jesus' entrance into the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth marks the beginning of his ministry. Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, and suddenly words about the prophet become words announcing a new ministry through Christ. "Today," Jesus said, "this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." Good news. Ministry for the poor. Release for the captives. Sight for the blind. Freedom for the oppressed. The favor of the Lord.
Today, let me invite you to hear these words as an announcement of another new ministry. Your ministry. Today, let this scripture be fulfilled by you, as you embark on a ministry to proclaim the good news, to release, to heal, to free, to find favor with God. Today, I come to another milestone in my ministry, as I redeclare my candidacy in front of you, my church family. My redeclaration symbolizes another year of study and growth. It symbolizes my continued desire to be in ordained ministry. Today, let me invite you also to redeclare yourselves. As I make a formal affirmation to continue pursuing ministry, you can make a declaration in your heart, to continue ministering in all the myriad ways that you already do, and to seek new ways to move into ministry, new avenues and options to help you do God's will.
For truly, you are already in ministry, in more ways, shapes, and forms, then I think you even realize. As I describe some of the ministers in this congregation, see if you can recognize these faces in the crowd:
A face in the crowd. This man has been active in the church for many years, visible as a Sunday School teacher, a camping liason, a hot-dog seller. But recently, his ministry role has become a bit more involved. He accepted a position that many before him had taken, but suddenly, from January to May we were without a full time pastor, without someone who knew the ropes, so to speak. Suddenly, this man was liturgist, prayer leader, greeter, and more for Sunday morning worship. His gifts daily are becoming more developed and visible by everyone, making many wonder into what kind of ministry this man will finally be called. This man had prepared to fill one role, but found that the role was changing, requiring more commitment every second. And he stepped up to the challenge.
A face in the crowd. This woman has been a faithful member of the congregation for many years, and I can think of no one more respected and love. I had the opportunity two summers ago to call on several nursing home-bound church members, and without fail, each person commented that this woman had just visited them, and in fact visited them frequently. The joy this woman brought into their lives was obvious through their eagerness to share about her. When complimented, this woman always shies away, denying she has done anything important, but between you and me, I am sure half this congregation aspires to be just as saintly as she is.
A face in the crowd. This young woman is just beginning an exciting career, one which she has dreamed about and planned for for quite some time. Yet, though she finds herself at this new phase in life, she still remains committed and active in her faith life. While many students find college a time to break away from the church, this woman has just become more active and involved. She serves as an usher, a very active UMW member, an occasional Sunday School teacher, a participant in the music programs, and a versatile committee member. She has a special and developing interest in the participation of and programming for college-aged and young adult church members. Her life is changing, but her faith and commitment to the church are only growing stronger, and she has made herself an example and friend to several young people in the congregation.
A face in the crowd. This man has dealt with many challenges in his life, including struggles with mental illness. Instead of letting his challenges weigh him down, or keep him from seeking to deepen his faith, this man has used his fight with mental illness as a tool to reach out to others. Through writing and personal sharing, he has made others more aware of the experience of mental illness, putting a face to an issue that not many understand. This man is also responsible for the attendance of some dozen others during the last few years. How many of us can add that claim to our lists? This man knows what it is like to worry about being accepted, and he makes it his mission to see that others never have to worry. To this man, everyone is a child of God.
A face in the crowd. This woman can be seen in many places in the church, even though she does not always hold a specific office or position. Instead, she makes herself useful whenever and wherever possible. She is a person I have always called on if I needed help with children's time, announcements, prayers, and more. When new members join the church, she is right there helping them sign in and feel welcome. She is active in the UMW, and currently serves as its president. Though she has several grandchildren of her own, many in this congregation affectionately know her as Grandma. Her warm and loving spirit is a blessing to us all.
A face in the crowd. This man supposedly retired several years ago, but you would never know it for all the things he continues to do and be involved in here at Rome First. Every year at charge conference, you can read his report and see the number of services over which he has presided. He preaches here and there and everywhere. He coordinates summer worship services at Trenton Assembly Park Chapel. He serves on District Committees, and is active here in Golden Years. If his life is a true indication of what retirement is, we had better relax now, because life is only going to get more involved, more rich and fulfilling. This man is a tireless servant of God, and he continues to be faithful year after year.
A face in the crowd. This woman can be seen on a Sunday morning at the front of the church, accompanied by several children, only some of whom are her own grandchildren. The other children she has somewhat adopted on Sundays, bringing them to Sunday School and church each week, making sure they get from place to place, helping them to participate in the children's time, the pageants, the learning, the getting-to-know Jesus. This woman is patient and faithful to her ministry, and the great rewards of her task are the smiles of the children. This woman adopts people who are in need, and loves them into a better place. Her quiet nature is just the external cover for this dedicated servant of God.
A face in the crowd. This woman has carried her command to serve from inside the church walls to the world in need outside. She personally has dealt with the struggles of raising children alone, and trying to make ends meet. She now uses her trials and difficulties to reach out to others, helping them learn to help themselves. Affectionately known as "The Sarge", she prepares and serves meals to hundreds of hungry people, but she does more than just hand out food. She helps people gain skills that will get them on their feet, helps children find a safe environment to learn and play, helps people feel good about themselves, and gives them the courage to make changes in their lives. This woman's whole life work is a living ministry.
A face in the crowd. This man struggles each day with disability. Yet, he is another example of someone who takes their situation and uses it to help others. He has served on church committees and participated in camping events. But his dearest ministry is serving as an advocate, seeking representation for people with disabilities in many arenas of society. He has preached here at Rome First, talking about his personal experience with disability, and educating us, so that we are more aware of the challenges faced by disabled persons. He has an interest in helping people study further, so that congregation members understand issues of disability, and are able to provide a better welcome to those who struggle with disabilities.
Faces in the crowd. I could go on and on. I had a long list of faces whose stories I wanted to share this morning, so I could brag about this great cloud of witnesses here at Rome First. But I thought the time element might be a problem, after two or three hours of speaking of person after person. I did not even take time to include the many ministries of my family members, for fear I would seem biased! But look around - to your left, right, the pew behind you, up in the balcony. I doubt you can look very far without seeing a dedicated servant, a specially gifted minister of God. No two of the people I described today share the same situations, or minister in the same way. Unique people, they have unique gifts and callings from God. One is a nose, the other an ear, one a foot and one a hand. But they are all called, they are all members of one body, who is Christ Jesus.
You are called. You have a ministry. You are a servant. Some, like myself, may be called into ordained ministry. But you do not have to be a pastor to be a servant, a minister, a leader. You only have to hear God's voice, and commit yourself to following wherever you are led. Don't just be a face in the crowd, a face the blends in and looks the same as all the other faces. Stand up. Stand out. Claim your place. Redeclare yourselves, as I will, and prepare to take the next step, risk more, give more, receive more of God's blessings. The Spirit of God is upon you.
Let us pray: Spirit God, help us not be lost in the crowd. Instead, help us be unique members of your body, serving and loving in so many wonderful ways. Fill us with your spirit, that we might be messengers of the Good News. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
Benediction: (repeat after me) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives. Recovery of sight to the blind. Freedom for the oppressed. Proclamation of the Lord's favor. Stand up. Stand out. Amen.