Sermon preached by the Reverend John E.
Kitagawa at the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist on 14 November 2010 (The
Twenty Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, and Covenant Sunday ) at St. Philip’s In
The Hills Parish,
A few weeks ago, during my quiet time, I
began to hear the words of an old 1960s song.
Fellow Baby Boomers will recognize the words of “For What It’s Worth” by
Stephen Stills, and released by the short-lived but influential band, Buffalo
Springfield.
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
I remember
thinking how odd it was that a 1960s peace movement anthem would come to mind
during my time of prayer and meditation.
Stranger still, and somewhat to my dismay, I could not get the words out
of my head. You know how that
works! I was getting annoyed when it
struck me that there might be a reason these words kept repeating themselves in
my mind. Here is the connection I
made. I had stewardship on the
brain. I had been reflecting a lot on
how you have responded to questions asked on Gratitude Statement cards here in
church, and in a variety of small group settings. In one way or another we have asked you:
In what ways has
And,
Where
do you see God at work in or through St. Philip’s?
At
that moment in time a few weeks ago, you were inspiring me, and that is when
those words started to speak to me.
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
I want to thank our lay preachers Eric Rau
and Ray Dewey, Ali McCallum and Tom Cockrell, Linda Dewey and Alex Sugiyama,
Sharla Darby and Marilyn Lindell, Brigid Waszczak and Richard Kuns[1]
for their deeply personal witnesses to the ways their lives have been touched,
changed or transformed at St. Philip’s.
If you heard one or more of them, you might want to say:
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
I
encourage you to go to our website to find and read their inspiring words.
All over campus, your Gratitude Statements,
written on colorful cards[2],
are posted on bulletin boards. Here is a
sampling:
[St
Philip’s] helped me reestablish my faith & participation in the
Church. As a youngster I was a choir boy
& acolyte. I seemed to “lose it” as
I got older. It’s good to be back.
St
Philip’s has touched my heart; from the first time here I knew I’d found a
home. Thru St. Philip’s I discovered
Habitat for Humanity where I have been active since.
Thank
you St. Philip’s for providing a loving spiritual community for me during 27
years of life in
St
Philip’s is my place to stay in touch with God, and teaches me to continue this
communication when I’m away from this place.
The
support and love of all the St. Philip’s community at the time of my husband’s
death.
St
Philip’s started as the foundation of my family. My wife and I were married [here] and both
our children baptized [here]. Thank you
for your love.
Let me tell you,
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
Perhaps
hearing a few more Gratitude Statements will make it clearer.
The
music and sermons touch me deeply, sometimes moving me to tears. I feel one with Christ more deeply here ...
Deepened
[my] personal relationship with God – spiritual direction/centering
prayer. Provides opportunities to serve
– Casa Maria sandwiches & 5 Points for addiction recovery. Healing services, prayers for my own need and
those I pray for. Hospital ministry for
my husband.
St
Philip’s has provided me with an awesome youth group.
1) the clergy are wonderful. 2) opportunities to volunteer and do mission
work. 3) the music and the many types of
presentations.
Ministries
– Primavera and food collection help me reflect on my life & how I want to
live it. The great values and emphasis
on helping others.
St
Philip’s After School program – it’s not about my life and that’s why I
consider it one of the most important things this church does.
Are you feeling
it too? Say it with me:
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
Let me offer a few more examples:
The
love and support of the clergy and parishioners since [my husband’s]
stroke. The music is superlative. We love St. Philip’s.
The
people and their dedication to mission.
I
feel close to God here, and part of a body of people searching for, and close
to God.
The
loving support of staff and clergy as I work with carried on through my grief
…; the education …; the friends I have made for a foundation for my life alone.
A
place to smile every week.
…
for the unconditional love shown to all of God’s children.
Are you with
me? Then, say it with me:
There’s
something happening here
What
it is ain’t exactly clear
Actually, I think it is pretty clear. Yes, something is happening here. That “something” is the work of the Holy
Spirit, and the fruit of God’s work in and through our lives. I listened to all the lay sermons. I have read many but not all of the Gratitude
cards. I shared only a random fraction
of them. Just think for a minute about
what you heard in a lay sermon, or from someone in a small group setting, or
about what you have read. This powerful
stuff gets beyond my analytic mind, and penetrates my heart and soul. After thirty-two years of ordained ministry,
I know exactly why I do this, and what I believe God continues to call me to do
in this parish. The amazing and wondrous
thing is that more and more of you seem to be hearing a call too, and thus pour
your heart and soul and time and talents and financial resources to keep that
“something” happening here—not just for ourselves, but for others too. As one Gratitude card reads, “St. Philip’s
has given me a chance to touch other peoples lives, who in turn touch other
lives …” You are, in profound ways,
putting into action the motto I shared in my sermon at the beginning of this
pledge drive[3]. For those who were not present, I referenced
the motto of the three musketeers: “All
for one; one for all!”
Today, I make two appeals to you. The first is this. If you have not yet made a financial
investment in St. Philip’s ministries, please do. Make a commitment. Start small if need be. If you have made the same pledge for a number
of years, please consider taking it to a new level. You can make a difference and help keep that
“something” happening here. Even more, I
think you will feel really good about making the commitment to enduring and
eternal values, and to a holy way of life.
I want to thank those who have already made a commitment and sent in a
pledge. I know many pledges represent
priorities and sacrifices, and I am both thankful and inwardly moved. The Good News is that early indications are
that pledge amounts are up a little on average, and that we are receiving new
pledges. As the charts indicate, we
still have a ways to go.
My second appeal is this. Many of our friends, neighbors, co-workers,
and family members are literally starving and thirsting for what we feast on
here at St. Philip’s. Let us find ways
to share what may be one of the best kept secrets in
The
Peace that passeth all understanding.
AMEN.
[1] On
[2] Written and collected on
[3]