Good morning. I’m excited to be here for the next 4 weeks with you because what you don’t know is that they are my favorite designated days in the Presbyterian Church. You know we have Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter. We have many holidays that are deeply meaningful in our faith tradition. But in the Presbyterian Church, there are also designated days of recognition that are not holidays but times of awareness, honor, and remembrance. It happens to be that my favorite 4 happen all in a row beginning today. Today is World Communion Sunday, next week is Domestic Violence Awareness, the 17th is Children’s Sabbath, and the 24th is United Nations Sunday. Somehow you’ll find this themes woven into the worship services.
So, here we are today with a great scripture lesson from 2 Timothy to get us going on World Communion Sunday.
That apostle Paul, he sure had a great formula for writing letters. All his letters and the ones attributed to him by his followers start out with such love, support, and affirmation. Even though this letter foreshadows Paul’s death while imprisoned, he never wavered in wanting the best for those he loved. Paul always believed that God’s vision for them would come into full bloom if they were true to their faith and gifts.
So here we are today. It’s World Communion Sunday of First Presbyterian Church in Crown Point. What does it look like to be true to our faith and gifts? Which is another way of saying: Who are you and who are we?
As we read this letter and the salutation is over, Paul began his letter to Timothy by remembering. He remembered Timothy’s tears. Verse 4 begins, “Recalling your tears, I long to see you…” We don’t know why Timothy had cried in Paul’s presence but whatever it was, it was cause for remembrance. Paul cared about what Timothy felt. To me that says a lot. Many teachers and leaders care about how we perform or what we do but not how we feel. Paul opened up by saying that those things which are most personal and emotional in your life are meaningful to him too.
Paul goes on to remember Timothy’s faith and family in verse 5 which reads, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” So Paul not only cares about Timothy’s feelings, he cares about his family and where he came from… he is truly connected to Timothy on many levels.
Next Paul tells us that he cares about what Timothy does by turning his own remembrance into a reminder for Timothy. Verse 6 begins “For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you…”
Now, I find myself wondering why Paul wanted to both remember and remind Timothy what was most fundamental to him… his faith, his roots, and his gifts. I don’t mean why as in what were the circumstances around Timothy at the time. I mean why is it important to remember who we are.
In asking this, I did some remembering of my own. Do you remember the Disney movie the Lion King? It centered around a young lion cub named Simba whose father, the king of the pride lands, was killed. Manipulated by his conniving uncle, Simba believed he himself was responsible and ran away. He grows up away from all he has known and is content but not fulfilled. Soon, Simba encounters a shaman like monkey who knew him as a baby. The monkey takes Simba to a lagoon to show him his father. Simba sees his own reflection in the water dismisses the monkey as a fool. The monkey says “Look Harder, he lives in you.” When Simba looks again he hears the voice of his father saying: “Simba, you have forgotten who you are, you are more than you have become, Remember who you are...”
This of course is the turning point in the movie and I believe the point Paul was trying to make. Paul knew that without staying grounded in our core, we are adrift. Though we may find contentment like Simba, we will be far from fulfilled. And we definitely will not be participating in the blossoming of God’s vision for us.
As we read further, Paul goes onto talk about living in the grace that has been freely given to them and living out the gifts that have been implanted in them. Throughout the rest of this letter that spans well beyond what we read today, it shares much wisdom about the lived faith. But much of it is anchored to making sure that they are well grounded in their faith and the things that are most core to them… their faith, gifts, and experiences.
So taking in all of this, I felt inspired by the Holy Spirit. I wondered what it would look like if Paul wrote a letter to you… to the people of First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point. And I answered. Based upon the style of Paul and the principles he set forth in this second letter to Timothy, I wrote you a letter from Paul in modern language and form. Here it goes.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Paul, dedicated apostle of Christ, living by God’s grace am writing you, my much beloved friends at First Pres.
I am so grateful and thank God every time I think of you. You are truly such special people. I know it has been difficult for you of late. Many of you worry about finding a new pastor and about how to move forward as a congregation on many issues. Do not be ashamed of your journey. I share in your struggle and want you to know that your concerns are holy and faith filled. But trust in the presence of God and the gifts you share as a body and you will find your way. There is no need for worry, only diligence.
I think back to people I knew in the church many years ago and about baptisms of children that are now adults. I wish I could be there with you. So much has happened. You have remained faithful even in times of not having a sanctuary of your own. You have been present for the needs of the community. You have grown great programs like Soup & Serenity and the food pantry. You have raised up vibrant children and youth who reach out to others through mission trips. And you continue to share in fellowship with family hayrides and coffee time between worship services. I hope you take the time to celebrate who you are together. You deserve joy, the same joy God delights in from creating you.
And to you individually, I know that congregational life is full of great blessings and great struggles. Being called into the body of Christ is a calling of both wonder and work. I hope you are finding meaningful ways of living out your God given talents both inside and outside the church walls. Since last we saw each other, I imagine you have learned even more about all that God has knitted into your frame. I trust that you want to continue to grow and become all that God envisions for you or you wouldn’t be here. Do good things for yourself to nurture your gifts. Reach out to help others to nurture their gifts. And most importantly, be grace filled with yourself and others during times of struggle just as God is grace filled with us. We only know the fullness and wonder of God as much as we are closely working with all the parts of the body of Christ.
Today is World Communion Sunday. If there was ever a day to recognize just how vast God’s fullness reaches, it is today. As you gather around Christ’s table, I hope you will pause to remember all the others around the world who are doing the same thing, other people who are full of questions, worries, and hopes. I hope you will also take a moment to remember all those who came before you and made this table possible. Remember with gratitude and honor all those who taught you what this table means, your family, friends, teachers, pastors. They helped cultivate in you the gift of faith.
And speaking of the gift of faith, as you gather around this table, I also want you to remember those who suffer under circumstances like poverty, violence, and discrimination that stifle and squash faith. Hold them most dearly in your heart. Pray and work for their justice and liberation. It is for them that you dedicate part of today’s offering to the Presbyterian Peacemaking programs. They do not enjoy the liberation of Christ that we experience when we gather around this table and God’s work will not be complete until they can remember who they are too.
Sisters and brothers, I leave you with the same hopes found in your mission statement. At First Presbyterian Church of Crown Point, all are invited to know Christ, To grow in Christ, and to show Christ to the world as we love one another. Go forward from this time, remembering who you are. Go forward from this place knowing that who you are is part of God’s good creation. Go forward from this place sharing boldly the love, faith, and gifts God has freely given to you.
Your most faithful and loving advocate,
Paul
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