1st Sunday after Epiphany: The Baptism of Christ

“Thus says the Lord: … Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. … I will be with you… For I am the Lord your God… I love you. … Do not fear, for I am with you.” (portions of Isaiah 43:1-7)

You probably are afraid that I’m going to go back to our Advent theme again. But I assure you that I am not. “I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, and you are mine.”

Who doesn’t remember back in elementary school when you got picked for teams, waiting to see if you would get picked, or if you’d be last. It’s a good feeling to be told that we are part of a team, part of something bigger than just our individual selves.

It’s a good feeling when we have a baptism or renew our baptismal vows, feeling that we are part of something. God knows us intimately – God knows the people. Because we are called by name, we are reminded of God’s personal care and attention to each of us. It’s a reminder that we are known and seen by God in a unique, personal way. We aren’t lost in the crowd – God’s love is deeply personal.

For many of us, this past year has been a rough one. There have been struggles, illnesses, deaths among our friends. There have been times when we don’t get along with family, friends, or spouses. There have been times when the money runs short. When patience runs thin. But through it all, God is with us.

God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. That relationship began when we were baptized – whether as children or adults – and we received the Holy Spirit. And that much is very clear from Isaiah this morning. What is more difficult to discern is what it means to be the Church. What does it mean to be the Body of Christ in this time and in this place? That is the essential question before us today as we gather on Annual Meeting Sunday. How are we to live into this notion that we are all members of the Body of Christ?

Yes, each of us is important to God. But I also want you to think about Paul’s diatribe to the Church in Corinth (chapter 12), where he says (in the Message translation), “A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together.” No matter how significant each of us is, it’s only because of what we are a part of. The way that God designed our bodies is a model for us understanding our lives together as church: each part is interdependent upon another part. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.

We are all vital to the work of God in the world. That IS what the church is about – the work of God. It’s not about our building or the programs we run or even our budget. Now don’t mishear me, because those things HELP equip us to play our parts in the role of doing God’s work. But if they only bring us here on Saturdays so we can be consumers of spirituality, if we take part at St. Michael & All Angels only to see our friends, or because we always have, and we don’t go out into the world and take part in God’s mission work, then we are really just wasting our time. We are here in order to form us as disciples as we experience, learn about, and worship the living God. And then, we can then in turn go out to make disciples who proclaim the Good News of Christ.

As we move into the future, we must work harder to make St. Michael & All Angels a worthy recipient of charitable giving. We should, each of us, engage in the mission of God and help this place to further become a place that makes disciples and engages our world and is vital to our community.  We need to focus on our desire to connect by deepening our relationships, growing in our understanding and love of the faith, and serving God in mission to the world and to one another. THOSE are the marks of a disciple-forming congregation, and if we continue to do those things, I believe our finances will follow and allow us to live into that mission. If we continue with steadfast purpose, we will become a worthy recipient of people’s generosity. We are moving forward in our work while recognizing there is more to do.

But to do any of this, all of us must take part. God equips us for ministry; God has already gifted us with the skills we need to take our place in that work. Some will do it in quiet ways that we never know, the way they reach out to a co-worker or neighbor who is hurting. Some will focus our attention on the plight of those who are homeless and are stuck due to the forces of this world. Maybe some will find their way to our kitchen for community meals. Others will help someone with her yard work, or simply go over for a friendly visit. The work is great, the opportunities never-ending, and all of us, all of us, are needed to do that work.

The point is: None of us is insignificant to God’s mission in the world. We are, as St. Paul said, members of Christ’s body, every part dependent on every other part. We must never forget that.  And we must join together to bring Christ’s good news to our broken and healing world in this year ahead. May we do so with God’s grace and favor. 

How do we cultivate a deeper relationship with God, knowing God sees and understands us fully? As you come forward for communion today, you’ll notice many small glass pebbles in the baptismal font, at the bottom of the water that has been blessed. You’re invited to remove a pebble from the bowl of water and reflect on what it means to be renewed by God – what it means to be called by name by God.

Once you leave this gathering of people today, you’re invited to keep that pebble in your pocket and travel with your “stone.” God tells us all, “I have called you, and you are mine.” As you travel, reflect on what it means for God to be with you and to be called God’s. Not just in church, but in your community and your life. What part can you play in bringing Christ’s good news to our broken and hurting world this year and ahead?