An Invitation to Walk with Each Other – Lydia Harder – Jan. 8/06

AN INVITATION TO WALK WITH EACH OTHER

January 8th, 2006
Lydia Harder

Texts:     John 1: 35-39, 2: 1-12
Mark 2:1-5; 8:1-10; 15:40-41
Mark 9:2-8; 14:32-40
Luke 24:13-32
Introduction to theme
Today will be a somewhat different Sunday morning. We will be reflecting trather concretely on our involvement in small groups at TUMC. But we will do this in the context of the story of followers of Jesus as they met in small groups throughout their journeys through Galilee, Samaria and Judea. Last Sunday was a particular highlight for us as two persons were baptised upon their confession of faith. The emphasis in Book Ki’s message last Sunday was on newness, on new beginnings, as in a New Year, as in baptism with its new experience of grace and its new commitment to follow Jesus.

This Sunday we are focusing on the way of Jesus by looking at the various opportunities that come to us through our church community. In particular, we want to look at the various smaller groups that really are the backbone of our community. For it is often in these smaller gatherings that we experience God’s presence in a very real way as we laugh and play together, as we work together, as we support each other and as we discern God’s way among us. We will take a rather broad approach to small groups. Any time two or three gather under TUMC’s name, it is a small group that seeks to express in its meeting the underlying basis of TUMC’s identity as a church.

This will be a participatory service where each of you has a part to play. I will encourage you to reflect on your own experience in small group meetings that are connected with TUMC. You may be surprised when you discover the rich variety of groups that I am talking about. —

I have been named as the coordinator of small groups. Therefore I need information as to how to plan for these and so hope that you will hand in the reflections after the service. (What is that proverb about Akilling two birds with one stone? — oh no, that is not a pacifist saying is it?) Please fill out the sheets as we go along and hand them in at the end so that I can use them in my planning.

We will also be lighting candles to symbolize the various small groups meeting in our church. Each of these groups receives its light from the Christ light that we have on our table. Together they represent the church here in this place, whether we are scattered, or meeting as a gathered community.

The promise for all small groups is contained in the verse from Matthew 18. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Let us reflect on new opportunities in the coming year and then commit ourselves to the particular ones that will lead us further on the way in following Jesus.

Invited to Come and See
Time with the Children (Lydia)
What happened to Jesus after he was born in a manger? Can you think of any stories about what happened next?
Sometimes Jesus met in larger crowds. Sometimes Jesus met with just one or two persons. How many of you like large parties with many people? How many of you like small parties with your family or a few friends?
Well, Jesus liked both because both are ways of getting to know each other. He invited people to come to all kinds of gatherings. Often he would say: ACome and See what is happening. Join us and you will discover something important. Often only a few people gathered to visit. And sometimes it was a larger gathering. But always Jesus invited people to come and see what was going on.
I want to tell you just one story about Jesus at a large party. It was a wedding party and people came to celebrate the bride and groom. (Do you see these candles in front? They were also put here to celebrate a wedding that was held here last Monday. Today we are using them in our worship service.)

Well, back to the story. Jesus came to the wedding. But he didn’t come alone. His family also came, including his mother. And Jesus had brought along a few friends that he thought could enjoy this event with him. There were many people at the wedding, probably dancing and singing and celebrating. Perhaps there were children watching, celebrating as well. There was a lot to eat and a lot to drink. The people were feasting, just like we do at our parties. But then something bad happened. They ran out of wine. There was not enough for all the guests. Now Jesus’ mother had seen that there was not enough and so came to Jesus to tell him about this problem. And Jesus knew what to do. He asked the servants to fill the large jugs with water and then take them to the steward to taste them. And what a surprise the steward had. The water had turned into wine. And there was enough for everyone .

Now the Bible says this was a special sign for people so that they could recognize that Jesus was God’s Son. This special sign happened when people got together to celebrate with each other.

In our church we get together to celebrate as well. Sometimes we get together for potlucks. Sometimes smaller groups from the church get together in homes for meals, usually on a monthly basis. Sometimes just parents and small children get together at a park or in the church basement, perhaps on a weekly basis. Sometimes we get together in smaller groups to play ball or to quilt or to talk about a book we have read. Children also get to go to some smaller groups like the Parents and tots group or Venture club or GERMS. In all of these groups we get to know each other better. And sometimes there are surprises, because we discover that when Jesus is there with us, we see special signs of love and caring.

Just like Jesus’ mother cared about enough wine for everyone, so people in these small groups care that there are good times for everyone. If we come and see what is happening we may see signs that God is among us. We are going to light a group of candles to represent the small groups from TUMC that gather in order to get to know each other better. These candles say to us: Come and see what is going on in TUMC’s various kinds of fellowship groups. While we do that we are going to sing the song: “Come and See.” **During this time your parents and other adults and young people are going to fill out part 1 of the sheet of paper.

Invited to Work Together
Very early in Jesus’ ministry, he invited small groups to assist him in various ways. However, even before Jesus’ direct invitation, some people saw a need. They saw that there were some persons who needed help and so they began to respond to that need. Probably the group of four had been caring for the one paralyzed for a long time already. I can imagine them getting together to plan how to get their friend to Jesus. It required all four of them to carry that bed and get it onto the roof. One of the problems was that there was too large a crowd around Jesus and the person with disabilities could not reach him in order to be healed. Sometimes a smaller group can do what a large group cannot doBgive the personal attention and care that is needed.

On another occasion Jesus was worried about a large crowd gathered to hear him who did not have enough food to eat. This was a very practical need and required some organization as well as faith that there would be enough food for all. He invited his disciples to help in the distribution. In most of these stories it seems it was men who were involved. But we learn that this was not because women were not serving Jesus or being present at various gatherings. The gospel of Mark clearly says that the women were there from the beginning, serving and following Jesus. The storyteller brings the women into the story at the end, because they began to play an important role during the time of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. In a culture where women were often hidden in the public sphere, even the biblical story tellers sometimes forgot to mention their obvious presence serving Jesus and the male disciples.

In our chur
ch we have many people who gather in smaller groups to serve in the organization, or to serve a particular need, or to gather around some project to see that the work that is needed gets done. Often there is an invisibility about this work. We often do not really “see” the persons who work together to make sure that our church building is functional and clean, who bring food and serve food and wash dishes, who spend hours at meetings to plan for congregational worship and education. But these small groups become places where God is present, multiplying the gifts that people willingly share with each other. Often persons gain much in these “committee” meetings where they laugh together, struggle together, pray together and get to know each other in a deeper way. It is often their love for a common cause that creates the warm fellowship among the group.

In our church, small groups form to share the love of Jesus in concrete ways. Some example are given on your sheets. As we sing the next song we will again light a candle inviting us to consider being part of one of these small groups– groups that gather in order to work together to meet some need. Reflect also on your present involvements, remembering both what you receive as you give and what others receive through your presence in these small groups. Thank God for these opportunities to share God=s love with others in our particular city, a city God loves and cares about even amidst violence and unrest.

Invited to Support and Celebrate Each Other
In the readings that we just heard, the gospel writer describes two events of deep intimacy between Jesus and several of his followers. In the first event up on the mountain Peter, James and John experience one of those indescribable moments when time stands still and eternity and the present meet, a time when God is experienced in a way that is unmistakable. Perhaps we do not have moments of transfiguration, but mountaintop experiences do come to us when we share deeply with each other, when we pray with each other, when we take time out from our busy schedule to meet, inviting God’s presence into our small group. Often these moments come unexpectedly, as a surprise when we commit to meeting regularly and sharing deeply with each other. Perhaps it is the birth or adoption of a baby by one member of our group, perhaps it is the sharing of a wedding service, perhaps it is during a healing service or a funeral. When relationships deepen and we begin to know each others’ joys and concerns, we open ourselves to moments of intimacy. Prayer is particularly important because it is one of the most intimate activities we can do together. For then we bare our hearts before God and each other. Confession can happen, healing can happen and a deep love and sharing can be born. Sometimes faith partnerships can develop that open us to these miracles of intimate communion.

The second story is the story of an invitation by Jesus to his three friends to stay awake and struggle in prayer with him as he faced his darkest hour. Even today, it is not easy to support each other through dark times. However, God remains faithful and is there even when we cannot always be the kind of support group that is needed. I think this story helps us remember our own human tendency to be self-centred and forgetful about the other=s needs. It reminds us to be more realistic about what our small groups can promise and to be patient with each others foibles and failures.

Trust is crucial for a group to function that moves beyond superficiality. We must willingly cross barriers created by our differences no matter what they are. Therefore it may take time for these kinds of groups to form. Sometimes small group fellowships develop into these deeper relationships as the members decide to meet more regularly. Other times people choose to meet deliberately over time with the purpose of sharing in depth with each other. Regardless how they form, it takes commitment, an openness to mutual relationships, and a willingness to forgive each others= human failures for these kinds of groups to work. Our Sunday morning sharing of joys and concerns begins this process. But the followup must be done in smaller groups where confidentiality can happen and where we can support each other concretely.

We will light our next group of candles to remind us of the opportunity to form longer term small groups, to remind us of those special times when small groups gather to pray for each other in times of darkness and need, and to remind of our developing faith partnerships. Our time of sharing joys and concerns is also a reminder of how much we need this kind of in depth communion with each other and with God.

Invited to Seek God’s Way
In this last story we read that the followers of Jesus have experienced a great loss. Their leader has died and they feel hopeless and discouraged. They have experienced a time of great disorientation and upheaval. But the women have come to them with stories that are perplexing and confusing. So where do they turn for comfort and enlightenment in that hour? To their companions who can understand them and with whom they can openly discuss their experiences. To the Scriptures that can help explain what is happening. And in that time together, Jesus appears among them.

These disciples had traveled with Jesus on the way for three years. They had heard him speak and listened to his teaching. But they still did not understand. They were left confused and discouraged when the unexpected happened.

Many of us have grown up in the church. We think we know what God’s will is. We have been to SS and church almost every Sunday for many years. However, when crises come, when we face illness and death, when our families experience upheaval we too become disoriented and need instruction and guidance.

Yet it is the regular study, the reading of Scripture, the discussion with others about life’s issues that can help us at such moments. Our church has opportunity for adult education. Today Pepper has announced some wonderful opportunities that I hope many of you will take advantage of. But perhaps we need other opportunities for study and discussions. We have also had small group meetings for particular topics of discernment. Perhaps we need these times more regularly. Would a weekly Bible study at church be something that some of you would enjoy?

When we do come to a particular time of decision making, we sometimes need a discernment group to help us figure out what the choices are. When Gary and I had to make several important decisions in our life, we have gathered a group of persons who know us well, and then have asked someone who know s how to lead these kinds of meetings to meet with us.

It is amazing how much insight we receive from that group. Gary has led these kinds of meetings for a number of you. Others may want to take advantage of this opportunity when they face crucial choices.

It is when we open ourselves to learning God’s will that we may be surprised when Jesus appears among us with his blessing.

You will notice that the boundaries between the various kinds of groups that I have talked about is not very clear. This is because groups are dynamic, changing and growing as the group members change. This is good. Groups may also need to disband at times, when the purpsoe is not longer valid.

Let me conclude by telling you about one small group that I have been a part of. We have met regularly over the last number of years, sometimes monthly, sometimes less often when people are busy. What are some of the things we have done? We began by telling each other our life’s journey over dinner. Each person or couple took one monthly meeting. What an insight this gave us to the other people in our group! Then we went on to ask the hosts to choose a topic for discussion. We have learned to argue politics and sports politely, we share personal and family issues, we laugh together and we share painful times with each other.
We have talked about what church membership means for us, about our various backgrounds in faith, about our peace convictions. We’ve discussed how each of us responds to loss, we’ve talked about funerals, weddings and everyday life. And we eat good food together. One day we decided that our Eritrean meals were too good to keep to ourselves, so we planned a meal for the whole congregation. Do you remember that? Eating wonderful spicy food with our hands?

We struggled with our various understandings on same sex relationships. We did not come to an agreement, but we remained in dialogue and respect for each other. Recently we invited several others to join us. Our group has met many of our needs and has been the source of deep fellowship. Despite our different backgrounds we have begun to feel very comfortable with each other and can share many things together. I hope that we can help each of you to find the kind of group that you need in order to enter congregational life more deeply.

This morning’s service was intended to broaden our understanding of small groups and to invite each of you to enter more deeply into congregational life through a smaller group. I would ask the ushers to pick up your response sheets during the last hymn. Be sure to put your name on it. This will save me some phone calls and will help me put you in touch with the kind of small groups that you would like to be part of. You may also want talk to me and tell me about what you envision for a small group experience.

May all of our small groups help us on our faith walk. May we experience moments when we know that God has entered into our midst and is guiding us. Let us sing the last hymn as a prayer for further guidance, both for us personally and for our congregation. Amen.