RVCC Pastor's Sermon

Sermon - May 18, 2008

“On This Rock”

By Rev. Nancy Foran
Matthew 16:12-18

“On this rock,” Jesus announced as he put his arm around Peter’s shoulder, speaking quietly but firmly to him and the other disciples, “On this rock, I will build my church.” On this rock who is Peter I will build my church.

“Peter?” we whisper in surprise. The one who ran away in fear when he could have stayed the course and been brave? The one who was weak when he could have been strong? On THAT rock, he will build his church?

“Peter?” the disciples wonder. The one who was impetuous and not always very perceptive? The one who leapt without looking and answered without thinking? On THAT rock, he will build his church? Peter?

Yes, Peter, Jesus would have said. On Peter - the one who tried – maybe not 100% successfully 100% of the time, but he always tried, he really did – to be faithful, I will build my church. On this rock Peter who is so very human I will build my church because when you come right down to it, faithful men and women like Peter are the only church builders around.

And so, Jesus would have said, on this crazy jumble of rocks in Raymond, I will build a church. Some of the rocks are ancient and found their way here 130 years ago. Their stories are etched into history’s heart at RVCC. Other rocks were found more recently. Some of the rocks are big, like foundation stones. Others are small and fill in the chinks. All are important.

On these rocks in Raymond, Jesus would have proclaimed, I will build a church. On the cheerful dedication of the Ladies Mite Society whose idea it was in the first place, I will build my church. On the generosity of Alvin Plummer who provided the land here on Main Street, I will build a church. On the infamous exploit and dubious sense of humor of Sumner Plummer with his Weathervane, I will build my church.

On the mystical sense of beauty of William Twort who most likely painted the sanctuary murals, I will build my church. On the perseverance of Ernie Knight who was so sure that there was indeed painting behind the paneling in the sanctuary and on his sheer tenacity in sawing down those big old spruce trees out front, I will build my church.

On Eleanor Plummer’s and Alice Richard’s love for our children, Jesus would have said, I will build a church. On the energy of Will Feagans, the perky smile of his twin sister, Emily, and the enthusiasm of Alice Morrison, I will build my church. Yes, on rocks like these a church will be built.

On the tireless ministry of Hilda Ives as she brought together all the independent and cantankerous little area rural churches into the Presumpscot Union Parish, I will build my church. On all the suppers and fairs and fundraisers that kept wood burning in the two woodstoves once at the back of the sanctuary, I will build a church. On all the cold and tired feet that have tramped from Raymond to Casco in all the Good Friday Hunger Walks over the years, I will build my church.

On the long tradition of music as a spiritual expression, Jesus would have announced, I will build a church. On the anthems and cantatas, the organ and guitar, on the voices of the women and men and youth who love to make a joyful noice, I will build my church. Oh, yes, these are good rocks for building a church.

On the deep commitment to mission and outreach – soup kitchens, mitten trees, Heifer Project, I will build a church. On the trust that folks have here that they need not fear doing something new, on faith like that, I will build a church. After all, Jesus might have pondered, amateurs built the ark while professionals built the Titanic.

On all the quilters and crafters, the roasters and bakers, on all the shortcake and biscuit makers (especially the likes of Horace Drowns), I will build my church. On the wisdom of the Elders and the “sticking around through thick and thin, good times and lean” of the long time members, I will build my church. On the conflicts that divided and the relationships that in the end meant more than personal theology or the governing structure, I will build a church.

On the whoops and hollers and guffaws that spilled out of these doors at summer musicals and fashion shows and still does at calendar dinners, I will build a church, Jesus laughed. On the tears that ran down faces as the lives of those beloved friends who had passed away were celebrated, I will build a church.

On all the programs that were tried and failed and on the ones that succeeded, I will build a church. On the legacy – good, not so good, or indifferent – of a long line of pastors, I will build my church. On rocks like these a lasting church will be built, stone by precious stone.

We have such a long and rich history here at RVCC – 129 years worth since the sanctuary was built. We have survived fires that swept through the Town of Raymond, diminished attendance, at times a nearly zero balance checking account.

We have survived deeply conflictive and badly hurt feelings over what a pastor should be, what we should believe, and how we should organize ourselves. We have also been strengthened by laughter, enriched by worship, fulfilled - and offering fulfillment - by being there for one another - laden with food, cards, prayers, hugs, and a steadying arm around the shoulder.

We are who we are as a church today in part because of who we once were and where we have been. The fabric that tells our story and defines us as the one and only, the unique RVCC church family today is woven in part by all the characters and events of both our distant and most recent past.

We are all part of it. Whether we have been members for 70 years or 7 months makes no difference. Each one of us is a thread in the pattern. We all add something to the legacy of RVCC .

That is what creating our church timeline is about. You see, capturing our history in a visible way is an opportunity to acknowledge the tough times and celebrate and rejoice once again in the good times. Creating our timeline is a way to listen to the stories once more or maybe hear them for the very first time, so that we can say proudly – “On THIS rock, we have built Christ’s church.

Now we will continue our worship by singing “Here I Am, Lord.” During the final verse, the choir and I will begin our procession. All of you will follow row by row beginning from the front. We will go outdoors and then back into the Vestry to create the timeline and conclude our worship service. When you get to the Vestry, find a place to sit, and we will begin once everyone has arrived. Please remember to bring your insert with your contribution to the timeline with you.

Sermon - May 18, 2008

“On This Rock”

By Rev. Nancy Foran Matthew 16:12-18

By Rev. Nancy Foran
Matthew 16:12-18