 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| SERMON 19th Sunday of Pentecost October 11, 2009 The Rev. Charles W. Messer |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Small Parish - Big Heart The little church you've been looking for! All are welcome! |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
| Psalm 22:1-15 or Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 Psalm 90:12-17 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31 |
To contact us: Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE The Rev. Charles Messer, Rector Fr. Chuck: frmesser@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Website: mail@calvaryepiscopalrockdale.org Office: calvaryoffice1@verizon.net |
Rejoice! Give thanks and Sing! Hard to do that when things are difficult.
1834 was a rough year. An economic recession swept the country caused by a
tightening of credit and Andrew Jackson’s withdrawal of federal deposits from the
Bank of the United States. As credit dried up and rates on loans reached as high as
19%, many were forced out of a job. Especially hard hit was this area of Rockdale.
As the thriving mill trade began to shrink and the price of cotton dropped, times got
hard for a whole lot of people. There wasn’t a family in this area that wasn’t either
living from paycheck to paycheck or relying on the kindness of neighbors to see
them through.
Among those who were struggling was Richard Smith. This is him; his name hangs
here in honor. He lost his business and his reputation after filing for bankruptcy.
Despite losing nearly everything, Richard Smith felt that this was precisely the right
time to form a congregation; a congregation that would see to the welfare of
children and care for families who struggle. Unsure of where the money would
come from, Richard Smith trusted that God would provide the seemingly
impossible sum of $1000 for the construction of a church building. So, Richard
Smith and a handful of families began to pray; trusting that nothing is impossible
with God.
I’m sure some within the community back then thought that raising $1000 in those
tough times when so many were out of work was wishful thinking, if not
inappropriate. But Richard Smith and others had faith that the God of the Bible,
who does for people what they can’t do for themselves – who heals the sick and
raises the dead – is faithful and will provide. The more they prayed their trust in
God grew stronger. Absolutely, $1000 was an impossible sum of money to come
up with, but for God all things are possible. As they prayed something happened.
They realized just how wealthy they were. They became thankful. Yes, they were
poor. Yes, many were out of a job and struggling, but they were grateful. Seems
impossible to be grateful in times like these, but with God all things are possible.
1843 is not all that different than 2009. It’s plain in our history that in those early
days of Calvary money was always in short supply. The congregation was made
up of hard pressed families who were able to give more in the way of time and
talents than hard cash. Today we’re just as hard pressed and money is just as
scarce, but we are a wealthy congregation. For over 175 this congregation’s
greatest jewel isn’t this building or the property, but its people. Through faith and
trust in God, we are a thankful people despite tough times.
Unlike 1843, we live in a culture with an insatiable craving for more. We’re held
captive by our chronic dissatisfaction of everything. As a consequence,
'ingratitude is ingrained within our culture of money. Therefore 'the longer we live
ungratefully, the more we strengthen the claims of our culture that takes everything
and everyone for granted. The later day prophet, Bruce Springsteen, once said,
‘Poor man wanna be rich. Rich man wanna be king. The king aint satisfied till he
rules everything.’
October is stewardship month. This is when we come to you asking for your
commitment of support for Calvary for the coming year. Trust me, it’s the most
uncomfortable month for clergy types like me. I dread having to ask for money. My
grandfather was never fond of preachers because he thought that all they wanted
was money. I don’t want to be that kind of preacher. But baby needs a new pair of
shoes. Somebody has to pay the utilities, maintain the upkeep of the grounds, and,
let’s be honest, pay your preacher. We need your support to keep going.
A few weeks ago, a clergy colleague asked how I felt about where our church was.
My response was timidly enthusiastic. I told him my reluctance about this year’s
stewardship campaign. My response reflected the sign of the times: it’s tough out
there. Not sure how we’re going to do it. "But everything else that is happening in
our church is great”, I said. The worship is filled with God’s presence, the renewed
interest and work in meeting the needs of our community, seeing new people in
church and others moving into areas of leadership. As I was saying all of this I
realized that I was a prisoner of dissatisfaction – things are great, but…. There
wasn't enough of what I thought we needed - money. But everything else was
overflowing.
Many of you are struggling to make ends meet. God give you peace. For
generations this church has been a haven for families who are struggling. For
generations this church has saturated our community with prayer, trusting God
would provide. Tough times are nothing new to our congregation; Calvary
withstands things like recessions and unemployment through giving thanks for the
undeserved and unearned favor of God. Our children, our homes, our families and
friends, the food we eat, the nation we live in, and our spiritual home – Calvary
Church – are gifts in which we are most thankful.
You should be receiving in the mail a stewardship letter and a pledge card. We’re
asking you to indicate on that pledge card your commitment of support to Calvary.
With things being as tight as they are, who in their right mind would be asking for
support? Richard Smith and those early members of Calvary would say that this is
the right time to be asking.
In 1836 on Christmas eve, Calvary held its first service in the basement. Still far
from raising the funds enough to complete the building, Richard Smith and others
trusted in God – who was faithful in providing in the past would once more provide
again. Through the sacrifice and generosity of the congregation and others, by
1838 this building was complete.
Dissatisfaction and ingratitude are poisons that warp our view of what God has
blessed us with. It over takes us so quickly and shapes us so thoroughly that we
go through life wishing that if we had just a little bit more we’d be happy. In the
midst of war and death of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln declared that on the
fourth Thursday of November would be a day where we’d stop whatever we’re
doing and give thanks – despite hard times. In all things, we give thanks.
We will be a grateful people. We’ll break the chains of dissatisfaction and practice
radical gratitude, giving thanks for the gifts God has blessed this church with for
the last 175 years. As we give thanks, we’ll trust that God would provide all that we
need to continue the mission that Richard Smith and others began long ago.
Rejoice! Be glad!
Amen
1834 was a rough year. An economic recession swept the country caused by a
tightening of credit and Andrew Jackson’s withdrawal of federal deposits from the
Bank of the United States. As credit dried up and rates on loans reached as high as
19%, many were forced out of a job. Especially hard hit was this area of Rockdale.
As the thriving mill trade began to shrink and the price of cotton dropped, times got
hard for a whole lot of people. There wasn’t a family in this area that wasn’t either
living from paycheck to paycheck or relying on the kindness of neighbors to see
them through.
Among those who were struggling was Richard Smith. This is him; his name hangs
here in honor. He lost his business and his reputation after filing for bankruptcy.
Despite losing nearly everything, Richard Smith felt that this was precisely the right
time to form a congregation; a congregation that would see to the welfare of
children and care for families who struggle. Unsure of where the money would
come from, Richard Smith trusted that God would provide the seemingly
impossible sum of $1000 for the construction of a church building. So, Richard
Smith and a handful of families began to pray; trusting that nothing is impossible
with God.
I’m sure some within the community back then thought that raising $1000 in those
tough times when so many were out of work was wishful thinking, if not
inappropriate. But Richard Smith and others had faith that the God of the Bible,
who does for people what they can’t do for themselves – who heals the sick and
raises the dead – is faithful and will provide. The more they prayed their trust in
God grew stronger. Absolutely, $1000 was an impossible sum of money to come
up with, but for God all things are possible. As they prayed something happened.
They realized just how wealthy they were. They became thankful. Yes, they were
poor. Yes, many were out of a job and struggling, but they were grateful. Seems
impossible to be grateful in times like these, but with God all things are possible.
1843 is not all that different than 2009. It’s plain in our history that in those early
days of Calvary money was always in short supply. The congregation was made
up of hard pressed families who were able to give more in the way of time and
talents than hard cash. Today we’re just as hard pressed and money is just as
scarce, but we are a wealthy congregation. For over 175 this congregation’s
greatest jewel isn’t this building or the property, but its people. Through faith and
trust in God, we are a thankful people despite tough times.
Unlike 1843, we live in a culture with an insatiable craving for more. We’re held
captive by our chronic dissatisfaction of everything. As a consequence,
'ingratitude is ingrained within our culture of money. Therefore 'the longer we live
ungratefully, the more we strengthen the claims of our culture that takes everything
and everyone for granted. The later day prophet, Bruce Springsteen, once said,
‘Poor man wanna be rich. Rich man wanna be king. The king aint satisfied till he
rules everything.’
October is stewardship month. This is when we come to you asking for your
commitment of support for Calvary for the coming year. Trust me, it’s the most
uncomfortable month for clergy types like me. I dread having to ask for money. My
grandfather was never fond of preachers because he thought that all they wanted
was money. I don’t want to be that kind of preacher. But baby needs a new pair of
shoes. Somebody has to pay the utilities, maintain the upkeep of the grounds, and,
let’s be honest, pay your preacher. We need your support to keep going.
A few weeks ago, a clergy colleague asked how I felt about where our church was.
My response was timidly enthusiastic. I told him my reluctance about this year’s
stewardship campaign. My response reflected the sign of the times: it’s tough out
there. Not sure how we’re going to do it. "But everything else that is happening in
our church is great”, I said. The worship is filled with God’s presence, the renewed
interest and work in meeting the needs of our community, seeing new people in
church and others moving into areas of leadership. As I was saying all of this I
realized that I was a prisoner of dissatisfaction – things are great, but…. There
wasn't enough of what I thought we needed - money. But everything else was
overflowing.
Many of you are struggling to make ends meet. God give you peace. For
generations this church has been a haven for families who are struggling. For
generations this church has saturated our community with prayer, trusting God
would provide. Tough times are nothing new to our congregation; Calvary
withstands things like recessions and unemployment through giving thanks for the
undeserved and unearned favor of God. Our children, our homes, our families and
friends, the food we eat, the nation we live in, and our spiritual home – Calvary
Church – are gifts in which we are most thankful.
You should be receiving in the mail a stewardship letter and a pledge card. We’re
asking you to indicate on that pledge card your commitment of support to Calvary.
With things being as tight as they are, who in their right mind would be asking for
support? Richard Smith and those early members of Calvary would say that this is
the right time to be asking.
In 1836 on Christmas eve, Calvary held its first service in the basement. Still far
from raising the funds enough to complete the building, Richard Smith and others
trusted in God – who was faithful in providing in the past would once more provide
again. Through the sacrifice and generosity of the congregation and others, by
1838 this building was complete.
Dissatisfaction and ingratitude are poisons that warp our view of what God has
blessed us with. It over takes us so quickly and shapes us so thoroughly that we
go through life wishing that if we had just a little bit more we’d be happy. In the
midst of war and death of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln declared that on the
fourth Thursday of November would be a day where we’d stop whatever we’re
doing and give thanks – despite hard times. In all things, we give thanks.
We will be a grateful people. We’ll break the chains of dissatisfaction and practice
radical gratitude, giving thanks for the gifts God has blessed this church with for
the last 175 years. As we give thanks, we’ll trust that God would provide all that we
need to continue the mission that Richard Smith and others began long ago.
Rejoice! Be glad!
Amen
