Here’s what we heard this morning
God works salvation in us.
We work out our salvation.
It’s a mutual process of spiritual formation.
Moses is overwhelmed by the demands of leadership.
He complains to God.
“What shall I do with this people? They are ready to stone me.
And God says—Lead. Go ahead of them. Take some others to help you lead. Then strike the rock…
Show them that they are to move from self interest to a larger vision.
God works salvation in us.
We work out our salvation.
This process of spiritual formation is not just for individuals;
but it is also for communities.
The people led by Moses are a new people—a new community.
They are figuring out how to live and work and play and pray together.
They get thirsty; they stop smiling; they start kvetching.
And God made water flow from the rock.
God took that time to teach them, to show them the larger vision…
Living Water.
God works salvation in us.
We work out our salvation.
And that process of spiritual formation is not just for new communities of faith but also for established ones like the house Church of the Philippians.
So
So today I have something easy for us to consider.
It comes to us from Bishop Ackerman and his wife Joann.
They put it in a booklet called “To God be the Glory.”
Some of you know that the Diocese Bethlehem is called the
House of Bread. We got that nickname from the Hebrew translation of the word
You and I are “croutons” in the House of Bread.
The communications ministry at diocesan house is called the bakery.
And our own Bishop Paul is affectionately known as the “big loaf’.
I think something similar must have happened to Bishop Ackerman.
He became known as the “Head Tater”. And from that he and his spouse developed a typology for parish churches.
The TATER FAMILY.
Some of the Taters in the Tater Family have difficult behavior.
Dick Tater—runs everything.
Agi Tater—stirs up trouble.
Irra Tater—bugs everyone.
Do you see how this is going?
Think about which of the Taters in the Tater family you most resemble.
Hesi Tater—never does much.
Indeed
Vegi Tater—never does anything.
ImiTater—doesn’t like new ideas.
Devas Tater—insults everyone
Speck Tater –takes everything /but contributes nothing.
Debili Tater—discourages excited people.
Comment Tater—says only hypocrites go to church.
Couch Tater—watches religious shows on TV on Sunday.
Whipped Tater—is too tired from working all week and needs
Sunday to sleep in.
Now if you didn’t find yourself so far…let’s try this list.
These are the more positive members of the TATER family.
Facili Tater—helps put faith into action
Felici Tater—makes everyone feel welcome
Cogi Tater—thinks through problems.
Sweet Tater—ahh, we all love Sweet Tater.
New Tater
Orient Tater—helps other find their the WAY, the TRUTH, the Life
Implelment Tater- puts ideas into action
Resussit Tater- brings back people who have lost their way
And
Medi Tater—prays and hears the Word and follows Christ
Now did we include everyone?
Oh.
Tater Chips. Teenagers. Young people. Their faith has an edge.
And
Tater Tots—Holy Innocents.
Remember Jesus says you must be like a child to enter the
Joke:
St Peter meets a newcomer at the Pearly Gate.
And says you need 40 points to enter Heaven.
What have you done in your life to earn points?
I taught
Good that’s 5 points. What else?
Five? Okay. I was on the Vestry during a capital campaign to raise money for a new building.
That’s 3.
THREE! It’s only by the grace of God that I’ll get in here!!
Trumpets sound. Angels appear. The Gates of Heaven fly open.
St. Peter says…
Relying on the Grace of God is worth 100 points.
You’re in!! Welcome.
Grow in your faith.
Help build this community.
Rely on the Grace of God.
AMEN.
Lessons read in worship included Exodus 17:1-7, Philippians 2: 1-13 and Matthew 21: 23-32
