"Live In Peace"

So…

Only 40 years! It seems like forever!

Did you know that in 1983, when Chuck Krogslund, who was the chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee asked me to come here as Pastor, I at first said, “no”.

Not because I didn’t think this was a pretty amazing church, because I think it always has been; but because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to preach and teach what I believed. 

As I’ve told you before it was Dick Avery, the pastor at the Port Jervis First Presbyterian Church who said, “Jeff, don’t worry. They will let you.”

And that is exactly the way it has been.

I love you all. Sue and I love you all. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve here among you. 

But if you thought I was going to go easy on you today and the sermon be all butterflies and flowers, yeah no!

For sure these forty years have been amazing! 

A time of service with others who know and love Jesus and who know and love each other, as well as all those God has chosen to send our way.

All kinds of folks. 
Although, honestly, we have sometimes prayed, “Oh Lord, why?”

But we get it! 

All of us are here because the Holy Spirit has sent each and every one of us to experience God’s love in and through this community of faith.

And together, we have done our best. Sometimes we have loved well. 

Sometimes not so well.

Not because we didn’t want to love others as God has loved us, but because sometimes we just didn’t know how. 

Or didn’t realize that our love was not communicating very well.

And sometimes we have done all that we could do, and then God called folks to a new community of faith that could love them differently!

We are called to love others, even though sometimes that’s hard.

We live in a world where loving others who don’t think exactly as we do is frowned upon. So, sometimes, we’re hesitant.

The other night the Session had a challenging discussion about our stated goal of inviting all to come, and the discomfort of having some folks in our midst that we might be uncomfortable with.

I mean think of all the folks that could be. 

Parents with noisy babies or loud teenagers. I love them, but… Whew!
What if Israelis or Palestinians showed up.

Or Native Americans, or correctly Indigenous people – especially on Columbus Day weekend.

Or food pantry clients. 

Or Democrats or Republicans or even Independents.

Folks dealing with addiction. Or those who cheat on their taxes or spouses.

We are the followers of Jesus. 

Even more than that we have been called and sent into this world to make a difference in the lives of God’s beloved people, many of whom are very different than us.

They speak Spanish. 

They listen to Metal. 

They like Taylor Swift and that football player from the Chiefs. Sigh!

But that is our calling, to meet people and then invite them…

To meet Jesus. 

Here!

Think about that. 
To meet Jesus here!

To hear his voice in what we say and what we think and what we believe and how we act.

The fact is, to be part of a congregation that takes that calling seriously is the hope and dream and prayer of every pastor. 

Not that many get the opportunity.

So, understand that Sue and I, and the whole family, are just so thankful for all of you who continue to support this congregation, and it’s calling to make a difference by loving on all sorts of people.
Look at what the Apostle Paul says to the Romans, “Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.”
And while eagerly inviting folks into your home may be a possibility, and what a blessing that would be, certainly inviting folks into this home is an absolute requirement.
Not just opening the doors. 
Not just making sure folks feel welcome while they are here.
But inviting them to come and experience God’s love. 
And ours!
Together we have made a difference. To God be the glory!
Amen.