Taking Our Part

Yesterday, I shared some personal reflections on being a church. Here are a few more.

I think about church, I think about a moment in my own life when I was deeply in need. Coming into a quiet sanctuary to pray early one Sunday morning. And one of the elders, Roger Tompkins, came in, sat down, and put his arm around me. He asked if he could pray for me…

When I think about church, I think about 100 children in our church building for Vacation Bible School this past summer. Many of these children will not step foot in a church building any other time of year. And I think about little seeds of faith… You are loved…

When I think about church, I think about people like Jim Pellot, who in his retirement volunteered extensively with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. I think about Bob Gamble and his work with children in Ukraine.

I think about a workday we had with an African American Church in our community earlier this year. At a time when there is so much disunity and division, I think about quite a few of us armed with paintbrushes and hammers, scrapers, working together across not-insignificant cultural divides.

When I think about church, I think about the difficult people I’ve known over the years. I think about people with serious problems. And I think about the times when I’ve been difficult – and had serious problems. And yet still had a place at the table…

When I think about church, I think about sitting in Saint Giles Cathedral this past summer in Scotland. I was reminded that when John Knox became the pastor there in 1560 the church was already 400 years old. They are celebrating their 900th anniversary next year. I wondered whether my grandfather had worshiped there when he visited Scotland… or perhaps my great-grandfather… 

As the choir began to sing on that Pentecost Sunday, I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. I thought about generation after generation after generation worshiping… And I was reminded that I am simply taking my place in this long line, that I am a part of something much bigger than me, and that the church will live on long after I’m gone. And yet, in the time I’m here, in the time you are here, we do have a role to play… We all have something to offer.

Let us pray: Bind us together loving God, that we might be strengthened and healed to serve you and this world you so love. In Christ’s name. Amen.