Stewardship Sermon St. Philip’s 7:45 Service October 9, 2011

Good morning. I am Beth Brouillette. My husband Bob and I usually go to the 11:15 service so I don’t know you as well as I would like. I was asked to come and talk to you about what St. Philip’s means to me. That has made me think quite a bit about what is important to me. About my gifts and how I use them. But also what is important to God? He loves me and blesses me; what have I done with those blessings? I love St. Philip’s, I love the people, I love the music, I love the building, I love the liturgy. How do I live out that love?

Matt Merino, from the Diocese, recently talked to the Vestry about youth in the church and it reminded me of my father’s practice of trading kids to teach driving – this was, of course, long before drivers’ ed. – “You teach my daughter and I’ll teach yours” he would say. Why is it that a lesson from someone else’s parent holds weight while the same words from your parents are dismissed? Jesus said that even a prophet is without honor in his hometown and in his family so I guess we shouldn’t expect it to be any better for us. Matt’s point was that children involved in church programs have many adults who would say the same thing their parents would say. I found that with our children, that they would come home from Sunday school or Youth Group with some wonderful insight they had gained or lesson they had learned. The fact that Bob and I had been saying the same thing for years was apparently lost on them and we just chuckled, happy that someone had gotten through. My hope is that when all our children are invited to God’s wedding banquet they will be prepared. And as Paul said in his letter to the Philippians in today’s lesson, “⁹I want them to keep on doing the things that they have learned and received and heard so that the God of Peace will be with them”. I have tried to do my best to say to other children what their parents would have said to them, and probably did, but the kids didn’t hear.

I have recently been involved with EFM and Quest and both have helped me to better define my faith and determine what my personal ministry is. I remember Bishop Shahan saying that ministry didn’t have to have a capital “M” - there was small “m” ministry that was just as important. He said that his ministry was the ministry of retail. He made it his mission to improve the day of everyone he met in a retail store - many of whom he saw frequently. He smiled at the checker at the grocery store and asked about her children, he learned the names of the bank tellers and used them, he asked after the barista who was out sick. Being nice sounds so easy but how many of us do a really good job of it. This was an eye opener. I can do small “m” ministry - I thought it was going to be so hard. My St. Philip’s community is helping me discern my gifts and how I can translate them into ministry. I am organized and I’m helpful. That doen’t seem like much but put into the context of small “m” ministry it could be a big thing. It is a work in progress.

I heard part of Lucas Mix’s forum several weeks ago and one of his phrases has stuck with me. He said that membership in the Episcopal Church is not based on what people believe but based on the people they choose to surround themselves with. I have been surrounded by the most amazing people that have accepted me, supported me, taught me, dragged me along - kicking and screaming when necessary - and believed in me. They have helped raise our children and at the same time they have not judged me, they have waited for me the catch up to them spiritually, and were truly interested in what I learned. They have shown me ways to honor God, my community and the world that I would never have thought of. I only hope that I have the treated the people that I have met with the same love.

I attended a series on spiritual gifts a number of years ago. I was amazed to learn that some people hated making up lists or tracking money. At the same time I as a little annoyed that I was expected to wash dishes every time a meal was served when I would rather talk to someone new. I have to emphasize that this expectation was completely in my head. So, I learned to use my gifts and let others use their gifts. Before that washing dishes or accounting for money didn’t really seem like gifts. One was an interruption and one was just simple. What I learned was that what was an annoying interruption to me was a preference for others – they had a community in the kitchen. Who knew? My gifts and abilities allow me to do things that someone else might not be able to do. Just as they might easily be able to do something that I can’t or don’t want to do. It brings to mind a quote by Albert Einstein that has been going around lately “Everyone’s a genius. But if you judge a fish on his ability to climb a tree he will believe that he is quite stupid”. We all need to concentrate on what we are, if not geniuses at, at least good at – our gifts. And, appreciate the gifts of others.

I also want to joyfully give back something of what I have received. I want to support the ministries that are important to me but also those that are important to other people– some that I don’t even know about. Have you seen that list of ministries and offerings here at St. Philip’s! Everyone sees thing differently, some are passionate about one thing, others about another. What speaks to one person is not heard by another (and doesn’t that make life more interesting?). I am motivated by the need to share and maybe some of you are as well. Tithing to return part of what God gives us speaks to me. Although I am an accountant, I am not motivated by the fact that we need the money to run the church and balance the books - this does call to some of us though. Bill Lucas talked the other night about how we tip 15-20% in a restaurant without even thinking about it - why wouldn’t we do the same for God and our church that serves us so much more than a good meal. Does this say something to you? So, for whatever reason works for you please consider supporting St. Philip’s and its ministries and community as much as you can. As you say every week, “All things come of thee, oh Lord, and of thine own have we given thee”. Please teach me give back part of those things that come from the Lord.

Let us pray. Thank you Lord for the gifts you have given us, thank you for the ability to discern those gifts and use them in ways you would wish. Thank you for our family at St. Philip’s and for the wider community that they may come to learn of God’s love and of His gifts. Amen.