This is a sermon preached at Capitol Hill United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 18, 2015, and this is the introductory article from the eNewsletter before that service:
You may have heard the story before. A man is complaining to his wife saying, “I don’t feel like going to church today.”
His helpful wife retorted, “But you have to go to church today!”
“Well, why do think I have to?” countered the man.
“Because you’re the pastor, that’s why!”
In the first few months we attended CHUMC back in the spring of 2012, I felt in a state of limbo. So much of my perception of my identity before moving to DC was wrapped up in being a full time clergy person teaching, organizing, and leading educational / nurture and mission ministries. I had yet to do much here at CHUMC, and in some ways I felt a bit useless.
On more than one occasion, I thought to myself on a Sunday morning, “I don’t feel like going to church today.” However, I knew Sandra and Micah really wanted to go, so I’d keep my mouth shut and go.
Every time, when I got into worship and heard that phrase, “no matter what you’re feeling or just not feeling,” in the welcome statement, I was reminded that I was welcomed by God here – as you, the congregation welcomed us. And I was reminded that when I didn’t feel like being here, that was when I most needed to be here. And each time, I was glad that I came. Eventually, I could just relax and worship – something a clergy person doesn’t always get to do (though I’m glad to be here!).
Listen to it here:
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Romans 8:24-30
24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. (NRSV)
Matthew 6:5-8
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NRSV)
