Sermon for Anniversary Sunday Lovefeast
Proper 23 B Mark10:17-31
"We Are Family"
In March 2001 I journeyed with 4 friends to Amsterdam for Spring Break. We were living in Heidelberg, Germany at the time for a semester abroad. I knew there were Moravians in the area, and so on Sunday morning we set out on an adventure to attend worship at one of the Moravian churches in the Amsterdam suburbs.[1] My 4 friends had never heard of Moravians before, and none of us spoke Dutch, but they decided to join me for church that morning.
Upon finding the church, we were warmly greeted by a number of the members and they were excited to welcome a Moravian from North Carolina. We felt so incredibly welcomed into their community that day as person after person came over to say hello and introduce him or herself. This congregation was made up of immigrants from Surinam in northern South America. Thus worship was in Dutch and Surinamese. You can imagine our surprise when the pastor greeted us in English during their welcome time. Though I didn't understand anything else that was said, I followed the service because of the familiar rhythm that it had. Afterwards, we were quickly whisked away to the fellowship hall for their coffee hour, which turned out to be more of a feast--a lovefeast. They continued worshiping and fellowship together after the service around cafe tables and over coffee, tea, and lots of Surinamese goodies. My friends kept asking me if I was sure I hadn't met these people before, because we were certainly being treated like long lost family members. I don't think I've ever felt so welcomed into a congregation where I didn't know a single person, and that day, I saw a glimpse of what it truly means to be brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our Gospel reading this morning is likely a well-known passage sometimes referred to as the "rich young ruler" or the "parable of the camel and the needle." There is much that could be said about this particular passage. It describes the issue of wealth and discipleship, but there is another aspect that I wanted to briefly look at today. Verses 29-30 near the end of the passage describe a family relationship that Jesus is re-ordering within God's kingdom. Jesus' call to follow him as a disciple will cost the man his family relationships. His wealth was likely from a family estate or inheritance that Jesus was asking him to give up in order to follow. In the culture at that time, family ties were very strong and were held in highest esteem. Children were to honor their father and mother until death and assure them proper burial. There were few things worse than forsaking the family. Jesus was asking for a major sacrifice, which would separate him from his family in addition to his wealth. But in return for his following the call to discipleship, Jesus is promising him a new family and new relationships that will far surpass what he has known.
Jesus is redefining family relationships into kingdom of God relationships. Jesus' call opens up the familial relationships to be inclusive of all disciples, instead of family relationships being exclusive of blood relatives only. In fact, some people today refer to God's kingdom as God's kin-dom (removing the "g" from the word) to help focus on the familial relationships that Jesus calls us to. Jesus' call of discipleship for this man was to follow and the reward was a new family to belong to in this life, and eternal life in the age to come.
As I've thought about this idea of family and kin-dom relationships this week, I keep coming back to the idea that we are al a family. We use the terms brothers and sisters intentionally. Our involvement and the language we use here in church helps us to live into the reality that we are a part of God's family. Following Jesus brings us into the family of God.
For 56 years Raleigh Moravian has provided a family atmosphere and connection for many people. Some of you were born here and grew up as a part of this church family or helped start this community 56 years ago. Many of us have moved to the Triangle with jobs or school and left family behind in other cities and towns across the country and world. Connections to this community have created a family for us--a home away from home. Thanks to the technology we have today, following Jesus and being disciples who live and work and worship in this community doesn't always mean we leave our blood relatives behind. Though, as we heard from Laura Hartley last week, this is still a reality for some Christians around the world whose families disown them when they convert to Christianity like one of the pastors from the Moravian church in Nepal.
Whether we were born here or joined this family later in life, are visiting today or plan to stay around for a while, we are here as brothers and sisters in Christ's family who just shared a meal together. It is here where we can be ourselves, ask tough questions together, grow in faith together, take steps outside our comfort zones together, and encourage one another to further our following of Christ's call to be disciples. At it's best, a family is here to encourage one another in the faith and hold one another up when times are tough. Our church is a place where we can practice living into kin-dom values that Jesus is calling us to in this world and in eternal life in the age to come. But it takes intentionality to remain open to all those disciples, our brothers and sisters, who are following Jesus' call.
As I've thought about being brothers and sisters in Christ, I was reminded of the TV show, Cheers, and their theme song,
"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name." [2]
Though some might find comparing church to a TV sitcom Bar from the 1980s a stretch, I believe there are some similarities. God's call to be in relationship with one another and know each other's name in the family is important as we are all formed into God's family filled with brothers and sisters around the world. We gather here in worship to remind ourselves that God is bigger than our worries and fears, and that we can lean on one another when we need a hand. Everyone wants to be known by their name, and we can all benefit from hearing our name spoke--we are beloved children of God and siblings with one another. Everyone has a seat at the table and is invited to partake in the meal that is offered to us, whether that is the body and blood of Christ, the bun and coffee of fellowship, or the casserole being served at the potluck.
In talking with visitors and new members, many of them comment on how welcome they feel here in this community, and that is a very good thing. But it's also a challenge to us. Jesus is calling all of us to kin-dom relationships, and we must be intentional about remaining open and welcoming of those we have in our midst. Do we know their names and are we glad they came? Do we know each others names and are we caring for one another? Are we all helping one another grow in our faith and love of Christ as we follow Christ's call?
As we continue into another year as members of God's family located here at Raleigh Moravian, let us hear Jesus' call to discipleship to come, follow Christ with renewed vigor. And may the Holy Spirit help us to be a place where we can keep practicing being part of God's Kin-dom, welcoming everyone to the feast that Christ offers us, and helping one another walk in the fellowship and love that Christ provides. After all, we are family, we've got our brothers and sisters right here. Amen.
[1] Amsterdam Suid-Oost Congregation, Evangelische Broedergemeente (Moravian Church in Holland) http://www.ebgzuidoost.nl/
[2] "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo - Taken from the Cheers TV show Theme song Lyrics
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