Plymouth Congregational Church of Fort Wayne, UCC
November 8, 2009
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
Stewardship Sunday

Scripture Lesson:  Mark 12:38-44

CASTING IN ALL

"... this poor widow hath cast more in,
than all they which have cast into the treasury ...
(Mark 12:43)

Prelude

Since the first Sunday in October,

some six weeks ago, we've been

engaged in our fall stewardship season.

The theme: 

Plymouth in Action - Immerse Yourself!

During these few weeks, we have sought to illustrate

various expressions of the Plymouth Church ministry,

different ways and means through which

we demonstrate our faith as a church.

Today we officially conclude the season

with liturgical solicitation of commitment.

You will be invited to take a walk, to come forward,

to bring forth commitment cards and/or marbles,

and to make known your commitment to the church.

I've enjoyed this time,

and especially the theme of immersion! 

Along the way we've been blessed with two baptisms

(Makayelee Alexandria Hartman-Crowell and Henry Leo Stayte).

• We've had fountains flowing in the church (thanks to Jeff Markley

and courtesy of Neuhauser Garden, Gift, and Nursery).

• We've had the color blue has been prominent,

so soft and pleasing to my eye.

• We've had the skit:  The Lord's Lottery.
  
  
• We celebrated harvest and provided over $10,000

of unbudgeted benevolence to Foods Resource Bank

via our friends at Salem UCC, Magley.

• We've had storytelling from Valerie Tutson.
  
  
• We've had a benevolence "treasure chest," hauled forth by

the amazing appearance of a scuba diver fully

equipped with snorkel and fins,

and a processional proclaiming the ways

ministry penetrates the community.

• And today we have flags colored by our children,

reminding us of gospel spanning the globe.

As we continue this morning, I think it is important that we

acknowledge the challenging times that are upon us.

We are working through cuts in our church staff this year

(John Whitebread),

and there has been a reduction of office hours.

We are conducting this campaign in an atmosphere

of caution, uncertainty, and insecurity. 

The national unemployment rate as reported this week

is 10.2%, a rate not seen since 1983.  This has a

local impact, it is personally felt, for we know family,

friends, parishioners seeking that which is hard to find. 

I was told in the narthex following worship last week:

"Pastor, I was informed this week my job position

will end with the year (December 31).  I'm simply not

sure what I can do for the church." 

And yet, let us also note -

while we are asked to examine individually

to what extent we can or will be immersed in

the advancement of this church,

there are those looking at us collectively,

out of their needs,

out of their uncertainties,

out of their insecurities,

wondering if the church might be a source of

help and assistance and encouragement

in these challenging times.

I had a meeting this past with the Trustee of Wayne Township.

I got a report on the recent Healthy Cities Fair

and Veterans Stand Down Day.

Healthy Cities, you may recall, was conceived

and organized by Linda Graham,

a Plymouth Church member, some 18 years ago. 

We remain connected through our benevolence. 

I was told 750 showed up for medical care,

visual care, and health screenings. 

I was further told that it was good

that it rained on the day of the fair,

because if there had been good weather,

the host facility would have been inundated

and overwhelmed with people in need.

During this meeting a need was presented to me;

I was asked if we, as church, could help provide

assistance for people who can't afford their utility hook ups. 

Some churches are already engaged

in providing such assistance, but the current demand,

in a time such as this,

greatly exceeds what resources are available.

We look at ourselves - and we see how stressed we are,

how limited we are due to limitation of resources. 

Others look at us - and they see an abundance, profusion, plentitude.

This Sunday, this Stewardship Sunday,

serves as the intersection, determining how

our individual offering(s) will advance

our institutional loyalties and our missional purposes.

          *****                   *****                   *****

This morning, I first would make appeal:

please, make a commitment. 

Pledge.  Vow.  Resolve.

Support the church and

the gospel work that is ours.

If you are like me, you have many organizations calling,

mailing, praying for your support.

As a Christian, your first and best investment,

top of the list, should always be church. 

Don't deny yourselves the opportunity of supporting others -

so keep the church - its teaching work,

its charity and benevolence work,

its justice and advocacy work,

its nurture and healing work,

its worship, singing, praying,

bread breaking, baptizing work,

its local, state, global gospel work,

at the top. 

Remember the church week to week,

month to month, year to year.

Remember the church in your living,

and in your dying. 

When your name is called, and flight is taken,

leave more than an empty pew!

          *****                   *****                   *****

This morning let's attempt full disclosure.

Churches are amazingly complex organizations.

You can never quite be sure what you may find

in any given moment.  When people look and behold,

there is such variety in what is seen; even from pew

to pew.  The current issue of Christian Century addresses

the subject of perspective and what differences can quickly

emerge.  Some see the church as cold, indifferent; others

as a community of incredible care and warmth.

Some see the church as transformational, uplifting, inspirational;

others are stuck, dull, a conservator of tradition that is

misfit for these times.  The article makes an interesting

statement:  you can pretty much expect to find in a

church what you expect to see.  Which begs the question:

what are your expectations for a faith community?

Kathleen Norris in her work, Amazing Grace,

tells of becoming a believer, finding faith, and as a new convert,

being in a church that was "in utter turmoil, with it members

behaving as badly as it is possible for grown-ups to behave." 

She writes:

"Not long after I have become a member,

two perfectly sane women said to me that they

had begun to wonder if the church had become

possessed by the devil. Norris responded:

 It makes as much sense as anything."

(see page 270; Amazing Grace)

Jesus, I sense, was aware of the

treacherous shoals of institutional life. 

In our morning lesson, he issues clear warning: 

Beware.  Be careful.  Look out.  He suggests:

(1) there is a fashion dimension to faith,

dress codes in community, that may

not always fit, may not always be suitable

for the life that is shared (long robes, and

the desire to see and be seen; Mark 12:38);

(2) envy exists within the institution, and people jockey

for seats that speak of privilege, honor, esteem

that is NOT equally distributed; all may be equal,

but in the seating arrangements, some of are

more equal that others;

(3) within the community there is dangerous behavior,

seductive, predatory behavior,

abusive and exploitative behavior; those who

are in positions of rule and authority can exploit

those who are weak (the widows); the language here

is exceptionally strong, isn't it?  The sad thing is, we

in our time can relate to it so well.  Leaders devour, feast,

rob and plunder the weak, and then they mask the injury,

cover up their behavior, with a public persona of piety

and slick, "professional" spirituality.

It is not a pleasant picture, but it sure is honest;

a New Testament variation of candid camera.

And yet, Jesus does not counsel: 

get out, get out, as fast as you can!

No, there is no "bail out" of the ship, corrupt and

destined for ruin.  No call for separation;

and no blanket indictment of the religious life. 

In fact, as we continue with this lesson,

a remarkable thing happens. 

Jesus observes those who make their offerings. 

He sees the rich who effortlessly put in

large sums of money. 

And he sees a poor widow,

who in the language of King James,

threw in "two mites, which make a farthing." (Mark 12:42). 

Two copper coins, which are worth a penny (NRSV).

Then, as now, not much. 

Yet Jesus commends this offering;

he instructs the disciples to take note and learn:

though many gave from the abundance they could spare,

the poor widow cast in her all, the whole of her life. 

She is symbol - example - model - of elevated offering.

It is not discretionary giving,

but sacrificial living born, we assume,

of intense love and clearly focused devotion.

          *****                   *****                   *****                   *****

Now - please indulge commentary

on this theme of commitment.

I'm mindful of what Frederick Beuchner once wrote

about unbelief and the role played by our choices.

"Unbelief is as much of a choice as belief is.

What makes it in many ways more appealing

is that whereas to believe in something requires

some measure of understanding and effort,

not to believe doesn't require much of anything at all."

(Listening to Your Life, p. 218)

If you really don't believe much in this enterprise we

call church, then not a whole lot is required.  Forget the cards,

and shoot the marbles! 

But if belief (as faith, hope, trust, practice)

is viable and functional,

valuable and feasible;

if God is real, and the love of Jesus is priceless treasure,

then some measure of understanding and effort is required,

not out of duty, but devotion. 

So, let's be clear. 

We do not give out of guilt,

we not give as a gamble,

gaming with God for a blessing. 

We give because we see and expect much good

in this people, and we are intent on passing it on.

          *****                   *****                   *****                   *****

We live in an age where people increasing speak of being

spiritual, but remain distant, suspicious of institutions.

I can well understand.  Jesus' cautionary word (Beware) has

gotten through.  But many have missed the example of the poor widow.

Individual spiritualities have an appeal,

but they can't provide the blessings of community.

The solo journey fails to meet the challenge of sharing

and conveying faith; nor does it foster belief in life as

vibrant, riveting adventure in the love of God.

This past spring our Parry lecturer, Rita Nakashime Brock

reminded us of what the church was in the beginning.

She quoted words of 2nd century bishop, Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon,

"The Church has been planted

as a paradisus in this world." 

(Saving Paradise, p. 84)

Paradise.  Can you imagine?

That's where I sense the widow was banking her two mites,

one farthing.  She was investing in paradise.

She cast the whole of her life, with faith and hope,

into the beauty and wonder of such a reality. 

Jesus was taken, much inspired by her act. 

So, I pray, are we.  She had a large measure of understanding,

combined with the casting of maximum effort, the whole of her life.

I'm not suggesting Plymouth is a paradise.  Please! 

We would never so presume.

But we all live in hope, with promise, do we not?

And Rita did clarify for us:

"Paradise is not a place free from suffering or conflict, but it is a

place in which Spirit is present and love is possible ... it is the gift of

communities that train perception and teach ethical grace ..."

          (see Saving Paradise, p. 409-410)

With your support, your commitment,

your time, your treasure, your talent,

your belief, your understanding and effort,

your immersion - we will continue to advance

our church - a way suited for pilgrims liberal in

spirit and generous of heart, casting our lives

in hope and promise of the glory of God.

Amen.