A few years ago a storm dislodged a number of tree branches which fell into our backyard. My family hauled arm loads of branches to the front yard, where they were cut and piled to be picked up by city services. A bright sound caught our attention. We looked up to see a smiling Katie, age nine, walking toward the front yard holding a single, tiny green branch high above her head, thrusting it into the air to emphasize her words, saying, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”
Do you wonder where she learned that? Each year on Palm Sunday our children help lead the congregation in a litany of blessings, praising God and repeating after the worship leader, “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! God save us! God saves all people! The Red! The Black! The White! The Yellow! The Gay! The Straight! The Rich! The Poor! All People! God save us! Hosanna!”
This year in preparation for Palm Sunday, Laura Andrew was asked to invite us during the context of worship to consider giving money toward missions and new church starts in the USA and around the world. She shared with us in worship that she had been wrestling with what to say and how to express herself. She told us that the night before she had been sharing her concerns with her family. Suddenly her 10-year-old granddaughter Sarah left the room. Sarah returned a few minutes later and handed her grandmother a small notebook with a poem she had just written to be used as the invitation to faithful stewardship. After Laura read the poem to us in church, we were so moved you could have heard a pin drop. $379 was donated over and above our tithes for the Easter Offering. Here is Sarah’s poem, transcribed as originally written:
“The poor
the pain of the loving humans
they shall suffer
they go trew many times of pain
diying of the few
no water no food no health
scrapes of clothing.
They have poor shelter
Let us help the poor
together we can change this
a beautiful land.
Donate monny to help the poor.
God bless you.” –Sarah Bowman, 10
Do you wonder how where she learned that? You will not be surprised when I tell you that Sarah is being raised in a loving family who love God and Christ’s Church. There is a direct connection between being raised in a Christ-centered environment and learning how to feel and express empathy and serve with compassion.
Just before our Palm Sunday worship service started, Paul Brown informed me he was planning to join First Christian Church of Decatur. Yes! I asked him to write in letters large enough for me to read exactly what he wanted me to tell the congregation about him. After the sermon, I issued an invitation for anyone who was so moved to come forward and join the church by transfer of membership, confession of faith, or by renewal of the vows of baptism. Paul and Mark walked forward. (Mark is an active church member and Deacon.) Paul handed me his note card. I read his introduction silently and decided to share it aloud. He wrote and I said, “Paul is the Partner of Mark Ranney. He’s already saved, was kicked out of his former church in the past, and wants to reclaim his calling to his faith and to the church.” After sharing this with the congregation, I told Paul that we have all been hurt; therefore we are Christ’s hospital of healing and hope. As I extended to him the right hand of Christian fellowship, I offered that we look forward to growing in faith and mission alongside him and his partner Mark and especially to hearing them sing together in the Chancel Choir on Easter Sunday.
Meanwhile, the following conversation was held in a church pew between the Rev. Daphne Reiley and her daughter Amelia, age 9-and-a-half. Amelia asked, “Why did they kick him out of his church?” Daphne responded that most likely it was because he is gay. “Oh,” Amelia responded, “why would they do that?” Amelia was fairly incredulous that a church would kick somebody out for who they loved.
Do you wonder where she learned that? As always, First Christian Church of Decatur, I am delighted to be your pastor. Shalom, James L. Brewer-Calvert