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Today’s gospel is a great story of human nature and the nature of God. We have disciples cowering behind locked doors, Jesus alive and seemingly quite well, and Thomas, the character who encapsulates a major nemesis of faith – doubt.

This weekend the senior high youth are on retreat at the Retreat House. I hope they make it without incident through the creek. Heading home last night, for the first time in my young Retreat House history, water splashed up to the windows and over the front fenders. (not bumper, fenders) The plan is for the group to return to church around 11:30 this morning. I’ll be watching.

Anyway, we spent a significant part of Saturday exploring prayer. We didn’t discuss prayer as much as we dabbled in a few different styles of prayer. Praying with Scripture was the focus. I’m sure many of you have done this and actively do this. You may not even consider yourself praying when you are lingering over a certain text. But, odds are high that indeed you are praying.

This is what we did. A particular parable was read out loud. I chose the workers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-16. This choice was made relatively randomly. Mostly I picked it because I find Jesus’ message irrational and so Jesus. The guys working all day get paid the same wage as the laborers working an hour. “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” Upon hearing the parable, the youth took turns reading from their bibles the same scripture. We then paused to silently reflect on this question: What in the story lingers in your mind? Is there an image or sentence or word that, for whatever reason, catches your attention? Journal time. Next question: How does that thought or question interface with something going on in your life right now? For example, I had a vivid picture of immigrant day laborers standing at Viers Mill Road off University Avenue when I listened to part about the vineyard foreman going to market to hire workers. I’ve never before heard the parable with that picture in my mind.

We then shared as a group what some of our thoughts were. This question was added: Where is God in the intersection of the parable and your life? This was a more difficult question. Said differently, What is God doing or saying to you in this discussion? The conversation was heady and predictably political – immigration issues. However, we did circle back to faith, to acknowledging the value of having life and church share the same road. We acknowledged that Christians can and do have different conclusions regarding “God’s will.” The important piece is that we allow ourselves to be present to God. Being with God, not thinking about God. We need to pray, part of which is listening to our head, heart and gut.

Sermon preparation goes through this process. I pray with scripture. Rarely do I make the time to meditate for a period of time, journaling my thoughts, allowing the Spirit to walk or stomp around inside me, recording what I discover. I would be a more centered person and pastor if this was my discipline. (note the Silent Retreat coming up June 9-11 at the Retreat House) I do pray. I pray in a steady paying attention kind of way. I have been re-reading and pondering today’s gospel for over a week. There’s a short section that kept getting my attention. When Jesus appears to the hiding disciples he says, “Peace be with you.” And what was the response? The disciples rejoiced.

There is power in the words we speak and in the words we hear. That’s my sermon. I’ll elaborate but really the sermon is short and sweet. There is power in the words we speak and in the words we hear. Amen.

Think about words said to you that have had a lasting impact. “It’s a girl!” or “It’s a boy!” It’s benign. It’s malignant. I am proud of you. I am sorry. Girls can’t play drums. God hates fags. You have a beautiful voice. Who let you in here?! Congratulations, you passed! I love you. You are welcome here, really.

We know the power of words. Sticks and stones can break my bones but …Bogus. We learn the falsehood of that taunt long before we can articulate it. It’s not just words - environment, atmosphere, or body language speaks to us as well.

Ever walk into a space and just “know?” We know we are home or safe or vulnerable. There is good karma and bad karma. Our gut just knows. I imagine many of Jesus’ followers had this sensation. Before they were asked to follow, they had a sense, a gut feeling of Yes.

My prayer this week spiraling around the importance of words has been about CCC. What are the words spoken and heard here that may have lasting impact? Are we opening hearts or closing hearts? What does the in between look and sound like?

Open and Affirming. Just Peace. Anti-Racist. Progressive Christian. United Church of Christ. God is Still Speaking. More so than the words, is our theology congruent with our attitude and action? Do we practice what we preach?

I think about our communion liturgy. I cherish being able to say “All our welcome at this table.” I know from personal experience that these words have lasting impact. I think about the groups that utilize this building. Jim and I reflect on this gift often. It is a kind of prayer. 12 Step groups and laughing children simultaneously 5 days a week. People gather here to pray, to organize, to play, to work. Imagine the words spoken and heard here that have a lasting impact.

I think and pray about what is unfolding. New members and visitors continue to enter our community. No wait. They come to help shape our community. Note the difference. Vibrant communities, which we are, change. We change responding to God’s call and the world’s need.

I think about worship. We are moving toward adding a third Sunday worship service. This one would be in the early evening, 5 o’clock or so, prior to the youth groups meeting for dinner and programs. It would be an intergenerational, family and youth oriented service. Not that our two morning services are non-intergenerational in invitation, we just recognize that the needs of everyone cannot be met in one service. I am excited about helping shape an informal liturgy with language and music that speaks a good word to those present.

I think about our young adults. I am eager to see what arenas CCC creates which challenges this generation to impact our church and the church. The young adults need to form these groups with all of our blessings and help.

There are plenty of relationships and initiatives to prayerfully ponder. Our stewardship campaign addresses many of our growing edges. If you haven’t, become engaged in conversation with other parishioners. Take hold of REAL life!

Today’s gospel is about many things. Scripture texts often are. For me, Jesus entering into the room and saying, “Peace be with you” sets the stage for this: There is power in the words we say and in the words we hear.

What do we say and hear at Christ Congregational Church?

Amen.

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