b27Pentecost2306

b27Pentecost 23 ~ November 12, 2006 ~ A sermon preached by The Rev’d Erl G. Purnell at Old St. Andrew’s Church, Bloomfield, CT

1 Kings 17.8-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9.24-28; Mark 12.38-44

Are there any among us who don’t know this story? A widow, a poor old woman with few resources makes her annual gift at the Temple. Mark tells us that she gives “two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.”

In Through Mark’s Eyes, I paint the conclusion of the scene this way:

“Everyone with Jesus saw what he’d seen. He turned and said to those nearby, ‘Believe me, this widow gave more than everybody else who dropped something in the collection plate.’ Jesus looked at the rich people who had made their offerings. He swept his arm back-ward as if erasing them and said, ‘All of them, you see, have given from what they have left over; but this poor woman gave all she had to live on.’

When the widow turned from the table, she walked near Jesus. She had no idea who he was. Jesus didn’t say anything, but he reached out and touched her tattered robe as she passed by.”

Of course you know that this is my 2007 stewardship sermon. I hope you’ll just relax and open yourself to what I have to say about your opportunity right now and OSA at this propitious moment in our history. The theme of my thoughts is in everything, give thanks.

Your church, this parish church, is a church on the move, a church on mission. We are growing by reaching out to the community-at-large. For many years OSA has been the well kept secret in north Bloomfield. Yes, it’s been nice to enjoy this quite corner of town all by ourselves. Now, however, we are taking the good spirit of Christ beyond our doors and inviting others to come and share OSA with us, because, we’re a church worth finding.

In these current times, OSA simply cannot maintain itself using a model from the 1980s and 90s. You already know the three things that have effected our finances most:

# Some members, who were extremely generous, have died or moved

# Our enrollment and its associated pledging has remained fixed

# Operating expenses have steadily gone up

The Vestry has looked long and hard at costs. There are no cuts that will bring us into the black while we continue to move forward. Moreover, insurance for 2007, for example, will be 11% above that of 2006. Who knows about the cost of oil or electricity? And, by the way, our expense side is very much in line with other parishes our size. Expenses continue to rise for those other parishes, too. Both Trinity, Tariffville and St. Alban’s, Simsbury are expecting deficits for 2007.

You might be interested to know that there have been no merit raises for Yves, Karen or me for well over five years. We have only received the base cost of living increase stipulated by the diocese. And this year the C.O.L. increase is less than inflation.

But enough of the negative. At OSA we cannot afford to be negative. We cannot afford to wish things were the way they used to be. We can afford neither the passivity of inertia nor the comfort of nostalgia.

Instead, in everything, give thanks! As I have said, and will continue to say, OSA is a church on the move, a church on mission in the community and the world. Each of us is called to live into our baptismal covenant and, as such, together we are challenged to be the Body of Christ.

In my reading of the Good News, Jesus and the people who follow him are filled with joy and new possibilities because they live life to its fullest. Such active, positive energy attracts more and more positive energy and goodness. It’s the Law of Attraction at work.

Let me tell you about the Law of Attraction. Like the Law of Gravity, the Law of Attraction is real. When a person thinks and acts positively, when a person projects goodness into the world, when a person seeks the higher good for him- or herself, the Law of Attraction comes into play. What the seeker most desires is what is attracted to that person.

There are no hitches to this. But beware, the opposite is also true. When a person is negative or has dark and hurtful thoughts and desires, that’s what comes.

So, in our church life, we need to learn how to exercise and use the Law of Attraction. Collectively, we can begin to attract the abundance that we seek by our good will and positive energy. When we believe in our heart-of-hearts that OSA really is valuable to us and worth sustaining, we will attract what we most need. Do you see what I mean? Can you imagine OSA filled with 310 parishioners? I can. I dare you see our annual giving at $207,000. I do. In everything, give thanks!

Perhaps you’re tempted to hedge your bets. Don’t. We can and will succeed because individually and together we will attract what we most want and need—For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29.11). This is Jeremiah and he is expressing the Law of Attraction.

This week you are asked to make your pledge for 2007. Through what glasses will you look at your church and your baptismal covenant? How will you view your responsibility to OSA? We are all so fortunate. All things come of thee O Lord… The ending to that doxology, you’ll remember, is and of thine own have we given thee. What will you give back to God? Will you give thanks in everything?

One real choice is to pledge from your abundance. Giving from your abundance means you decide what OSA means to you and to your friends who worship here with you. It means choosing to pledge what you actually would like to pledge because that choice fits with your values, with the church’s importance to you, and with your hopes for the parish in the future.

In other words, giving to OSA is all about your faith and your priorities. Though pledging uses the currency of money—and we need money to pay for the operations of the church—the commitment you make is so much deeper and more profound. It’s spiritual. In everything, give thanks!

Before you decide to make your pledge for 2007, think about all the great things that have happened this year at OSA: Christmas carols at the crèche, the Christmas Eve service, our adult education—Life with George and Science and Religion in the Modern World—, Holy Week and Easter, the Tag Sale and Plant Sale, Rogers & Hammerstein Night, the renovation of the Library, Michael-Paul and Liz’s gift of Opera arias and duets, our choir’s music and the special music we have from time to time, plus, the grace, dignity, and integrity of Sunday worship. Think, too, about where we are heading. Think about the twenty-seven people who have joined OSA this year. Think about the effect we have had on folks at the Hispanic Mission in Hartford or about the kids at L’École le Bon Samaritain in Haiti.

We are a church on the move, a church on mission. Get on-board by taking us to the next level. Exercise the Law of Attraction by bringing to OSA your good and faithful spirit and by generously supporting your church in a whole new way—with complete confidence that giving out of your abundance is both the right thing to do and the Christian thing to do. Once again, in everything, give thanks!

Amen.