Finding the Lost

I was taken with the message from Luke’s Gospel in Chapter 15 this past Sunday. This is the twin parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, told by Jesus to those grumbling Pharisees and scribes who were all over Jesus for being among the outcast, and especially on the Sabbath. Both the Rev. Bonnie Campbell at our church, St. Mark’s in Montesano and the Rev. Sarah Monroe at nearby St. Andrew’s in Aberdeen preached on this passage, and used similar themes in focusing on those “sinners”, the “others” in our society who are less fortunate and looked beyond by many people in the mainstream as worthless. I heard or read both sermons and realized that what they pointed out is at the heart of what we as the “Church” struggle the most—relating with those who Jesus most wanted us to connect with. Its fine to want to find people “just like us” to come into our churches and make lasting connections, to belong and be active members and continue the traditions and practices of our churches. But what did Jesus really ask of us—to go out into the world and make disciples, and especially to minister to those who have little, those who are tormented, those who mourn, those who are in dire need of support. That will not happen if all we do is sit in our homes and in our pews on Sunday and ask only for help and think of ourselves.

One of our OCW group, and who I referred to earlier, Sarah, is starting a new street ministry in Aberdeen along with one of our members at St. Mark’s, Kevin. They are getting right there with those who need our help to survive, with donated clothing, with meals, and maybe some counsel and direction for how they can get more help. At our announcement time on Sunday, one of our people asked after hearing about this new ministry if those of us who do not have “the guts” to get right on the front lines could help by making sandwiches and bringing food to Sarah and Kevin where they do their work. It kind of points out how many of us really feel, but maybe it also provides a reality check and also challenges us to get involved somehow. At least it’s a start!

http://www.stmarksmonte.com/article/405/worship/recent-sermons/2013-sermons/pentecost-17-2013-sermon

http://awanderingminister.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-sheep-y-sermon.html

Jim