A sermon on the theme of "Appreciating God's Unique Design in You and Your Neighbor."
Using 1 Corinthians 12.27-13.3
Preface: This message was written as a part of an opening worship for a cluster meeting of the interns and supervisors. Upon entering the chapel, each person was given a small piece of paper and a pen.
Grace and peace from God our Creator, and our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
I begin this message this morning by lighting this candle which will remind us that this is a safe space for all to gather and share,
as the Spirit works in us.
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Who else are you?
We all have this thing.
On those days when we don't have the
time, money, patience, hope, or the energy it takes
to make through one more day,
we still all have this thing.
We have a name.
A name,
a blanket statement that symbolizes every part of the equation
where the sum is the person sitting in the pew right now.
In the Venn diagram of all the titles we've acquired and roles we play,
our names are the paper it's written on.
Friends, we gather here today
a specific subset of people
our common ground is a general outcome of a beautiful calling.
But I ask you again,
Who else are you?
When we say, "You are called,"
we mean that all of you is called.
We mean every piece of you is called.
We mean that every piece of you under the blanket term of your name...
is called.
So who else are you?
Take the paper and pen we gave you and write down at least one alternate identity that you have.
Add your name or don't.
This is between you and God.
We will then acknowledge our giving these identities to God,
as a way of remembering that we are so much more, than the office we work in and the titles we have, and that those partos of our lives, too, are created by God, and loved fully by God.
These are the things that make us unique!
As you come up for communion, place your card in the offering plate in lieu of a financial offering,
instead, today we give of ourselves.
So who else are you?
And have you introduced that you to anyone else?
It's true that there's great comfort in knowing that God knows all of who we are.
But sometimes being a good neighbor means showing our other selves
to our neighbors, because our selves were made to be in community,
in community with other selves.
So next time you're in conversation with someone,
ask them;
"So, who else are you?"
Amen.
I begin this message this morning by lighting this candle which will remind us that this is a safe space for all to gather and share,
as the Spirit works in us.
--------
Who else are you?
We all have this thing.
On those days when we don't have the
time, money, patience, hope, or the energy it takes
to make through one more day,
we still all have this thing.
We have a name.
A name,
a blanket statement that symbolizes every part of the equation
where the sum is the person sitting in the pew right now.
In the Venn diagram of all the titles we've acquired and roles we play,
our names are the paper it's written on.
Friends, we gather here today
a specific subset of people
our common ground is a general outcome of a beautiful calling.
But I ask you again,
Who else are you?
When we say, "You are called,"
we mean that all of you is called.
We mean every piece of you is called.
We mean that every piece of you under the blanket term of your name...
is called.
So who else are you?
Take the paper and pen we gave you and write down at least one alternate identity that you have.
Add your name or don't.
This is between you and God.
We will then acknowledge our giving these identities to God,
as a way of remembering that we are so much more, than the office we work in and the titles we have, and that those partos of our lives, too, are created by God, and loved fully by God.
These are the things that make us unique!
As you come up for communion, place your card in the offering plate in lieu of a financial offering,
instead, today we give of ourselves.
So who else are you?
And have you introduced that you to anyone else?
It's true that there's great comfort in knowing that God knows all of who we are.
But sometimes being a good neighbor means showing our other selves
to our neighbors, because our selves were made to be in community,
in community with other selves.
So next time you're in conversation with someone,
ask them;
"So, who else are you?"
Amen.