Stories to Tell

 

Stories to Tell

 

This Bible passage refers to events on the same day the women found the empty tomb.

Two people walking down the road, talking about what had happened.

I wonder what it was like.

Being with Jesus

Seeing the crucifixion

The empty tomb

The wondering

What happened to the body

What now???

 

….

 

I love stories, well I love good stories, stories can be a powerful way of helping us to see truth and beauty, love and grace.

 

Something about stories I should mention; just because they are called stories doesn’t mean they are made up.  Also, because we see and experience life differently, our stories will be different; that is OK, each of us will bring something different to the conversation.

 

We are people of story. while the Bible has lots of stories, there is also an overarching story.  There are stories that tell us of something of God's interaction with the world, and how people have interpreted the world around them. There are stories from prehistory of creation and ark; there are stories of war, famine, exile, return; there are poems, speeches, letters, and a travelogue or two. 

 

There is also an overarching story, a story of a God who is involved with all of creation, a God who loves so much, that God will become human to show us how much we are loved.

 

Through this story, we are connected to people through many generations and around the world, people who have heard and told and retold and lived these stories. Stories transcend time and space, yet we read them in our particular time and place.

 

We each have a story, stories that tell about our birth, our family, our culture, our faith. This congregation also has its own story, probably more than one story; stories that tell of how this congregation came into being, of how different people have joined this congregation; of how and why people have left this congregation; of the various ministries of the congregation, past and present.

 

Part of what we do each time we gather together as a community of faith, when we come together to worship, and in other ways, part of what we do is to remember who we are in God's eyes. We again hear the stories of our faith, the stories written in the Bible, and also stories of our life together, stories of how God is still speaking to people today, of how God is still interacting in our lives today.

 

In the Easter address by the Moderator, Simon talks of the gospel story that helps us make sense of the world, of pain, and brokenness, and suffering and struggle, and joy and hope.

 

Around Anzac Day we hear stories, stories of mateship, and of the ones who did not come home; we hear of heroes, human and animal. We are now starting to hear the stories of those who return so damaged by war, by what they experienced, that they retreat to alcohol or drugs or die by suicide.  

 

In the video from Uniting World, we see how the gospel is life giving.

 

The stories I see in the media about Africa, Asia and the Pacific are not usually the inspiring stories we will see and hear this week as part of Seven Days of Solidarity.

 

It is the same locally, we hear of bad teenagers, but not those who study hard, work hard and are a delight to be around.

We hear of people born overseas, or with darker skin, who get into trouble with the Police, but we do not hear of the stories of all the people who look different to us, who work and love their family and pay their bills and are kind to their neighbours and patrol our beaches.

Because good news isn’t newsworthy.

 

We live in a society where people are labelled as “them”, as other, because of skin colour or ethnic background or the part of town people live or work in.

 

The stories we tell are powerful.

The stories we tell can wound or heal,
tear down or build up.

The stories we tell can harm or help,
inspire or lead to further despair.

What stories do we tell?
In our words and actions.

 

One thing I appreciate about the stories of Jesus is the way he weaves Scripture and life together. As Jesus walked with, and then ate with, the two travellers he spoke of Scripture and how it connected with what had happened. He connected their life at the time with Scripture in a way that helped them understand what was going on.

 

Can you see where the God story connects with your story?

Can you help someone else see where God has been active in their life?

To help someone see how the Gospel helps make sense of their life, of their struggle, their pain, their confusion.

 

We are people of the story,

the best story ever told,

a story of presence in the most difficult of circumstances

a story of life,

a story of hope,

a story of grace,

a story of peace offered,

sins forgiven,

life renewed.

 

We are people of story

The Bible includes stories of floods and droughts and wars and families and brothers that deceive and sisters swapped during a marriage ceremony and food shared.

Stories of plagues and illness
stories of healing

stories of real people living real lives

imperfect people, just like us.

The Bible is a full of stories, very human stories, stories of people interactions with God, and God’s interaction with people.

 

We have a story worth telling

a story of peace and hope and joy and love and grace

we have a story to tell,

a story about a God who creates and recreates

a story of a God who was born and lived and healed and taught and forgave

a story of a God who dwells within us, who sanctifies and inspires.

 

What story do you tell, with your words and tour actions.

 

good news!

Proclamation

 

 

^“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

I have told you before that I think I have the best job in the world, that is telling people that God loves them, and that each of you also has this job.  We may use words to let people know they are loved by God, but more often it will be our presence, our listening, our praying, our support, that shows the love of God to people around us. We will bring the good news with a casserole or the washing, or flowers, or picking children up from school.  And this congregation is good at those practical ways of showing Gods love in action.

 

But I wonder if we downplay the story we have to tell.

Because it is a great story that we can tell.

The ‘big’ story

of the interplay of God and creation,

of God’s presence with people throughout time,

of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus,

of the spread of the message of Jesus throughout the known world in the early church.

 

There is also the personal story that each one of us has of the difference Jesus has made in our lives.

In freeing us from guilt and the fears that hold us back

In healing us from hurt and shame

In liberating us to be the person God created us to be

The stories of

the times when we have been aware of the presence of God or Jesus or the Spirit in a special way

the times we have sensed a deep inner peace in the midst of difficulty

 

as well as the ongoing story of God and creation and history

as well as our own personal story

there is the story of this congregation.

….

 

In the Gospel reading this morning, we heard about the two followers of Jesus who were discussing the events of the past week, trying to make sense of death and resurrection

Wondering if it was true

Wondering if the time spent following Jesus around, was a waste of time.

 

Talking with each other

about what we are experiencing,

about our struggles and joys

discussing bible readings and other material

all this builds up community, and  also encourages in our life as faithful followers of Jesus.

 

Hearing other people experiences and telling our own, can help us to understand, or at least acknowledge, the presence of God in our lives, and sometimes in ways that are startling.

 

I remember a time when I was on retreat, and I had an experience during a time of prayer and communion, that was new for me. It felt like someone was pouring warm oil over me – it felt wonderful and soothing, but I couldn’t understand what was happening. And I didn’t mention it to anyone in case they thought I was stupid or weird!

On the way home, the person who was travelling with me, told me of her experience a few years earlier,  and it was quite similar to what I had experienced the previous day. I was then comfortable to talk with her about it. Her words were good news to me.

 

^“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

We can be bearers of good news to each other within this faith community, within small groups that meet for Bible study, discussion, craft and travel.  

But we can also be bearers of good news in the community.

By being involved in the community

By valuing all people

By being a place and a people who forgive

By offering space for people to talk about their doubts without judgement

 

We have a story to tell,

a story of peace and hope and joy and love and grace

we have a story to tell,

a story about a God who creates and recreates

a story of a God who was born and lived and healed and taught and forgave

a story of a God who dwells within us, who sanctifies and inspires

 

a story of how this community, Engadine Uniting Church,

has strengthened our faith,

has valued and loved us

has taught and encouraged

 

we have a story to tell of this community and the way its life is inspired by the love of God in Jesus.

in collecting food for Shire Youth, because people are important and food is a necessity

in operating the OOSH to help local families with quality child care.

In having social activities that all people are invited to participate in, that help ease social isolation.

 

We have a story to tell

Yet I have rarely heard those stories

Maybe that is because I am a scary person

Or you have other people to talk to

Or maybe like me, it can all be a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing, because someone might ask a question we can’t answer.

 

popcorn [maybe earlier or here?]

popping a single kernel over the Christ candle, thinking about story

  

“ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,”

 

In what ways do we announce good news, salvation and peace in our community?

Stories

I love stories, well I love good stories, stories can be a powerful way of helping us to see truth and beauty, love and grace.

Something about stories I should mention; just because they are called stories doesn’t mean they are made up.  Also, because we see and experience  life differently, sometimes our stories will be different; that is OK as well, each of us will bring something different to the conversation.

We are people of story. while the Bible has lots of stories, there is also an overarching story.  There are stories that tell us of something of God's interaction with the world, and how people have interpreted the world around them. There are stories from prehistory of creation and ark; there are stories of war, famine, exile, return;  there are poems, speeches, letters and a travelogue or two.  

There is also an overarching story, a story of a God who is involved with all of creation, a God who loves so much, that God will become human to show us how much we are loved.

Through this story, we are connected to people through many generations and around the world, people who have heard and told and retold and lived these stories. Stories transcend time and space, yet we read them in our particular time and place.

Yesterday it was Australia Day, and there are stories that go with that celebration. Stories of mateship, living on the land, holidays by the beach, lamingtons and meat pies, sunburn and surfing. Yet we don’t all experience Australia that way. Each of us will have our own story of what it means to live in Australia. Stories of migration, stories of land that has been in a family for generations, stories of inclusion and exclusion. There are many stories of what it means to live in Australia, of what it means to be Australian.

We each have a story, stories that tell about our birth, our family, our culture, our faith. This congregation also has its own story, probably more than one story; stories that tell of how this congregation came into being, of how different people have joined this congregation; of how and why people have left this congregation; of the various ministries of the congregation, past and present.

This congregation is part of the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church also has a stories of its beginning, of conversations that begin in the early 1900s; of people asking what kind of church is God calling us to be; stories of justice, of standing with indigenous people, of struggling with what it means to be an inclusive church; of multicultural congregations and worship in many languages.

In the reading from Nehemiah this morning we hear of a nation which had been  in exile, of people returning from exile and rebuilding cities and towns. And we hear of Nehemiah and Ezra leaders, who called people together to worship, to hear the word of God. After returning from exile, the people wanted to hear again the scripture read. It wasn’t in a synagogue, but in a public place so that all people, children and women as well as men were present, could hear. And the people were moved by hearing the scripture being read.

I wonder how often you are moved to tears, or joy, when you hear the scripture being read?

 

Earlier I told you one of my favourite stories: Gordon Wilfred MacDonald Partridge. To me this story reminds me of the importance of community. Because communities help us to remember the important stories in our lives.

Part of what we do each time we gather together as a community of faith, when we come together to worship, and in other ways, part of what we do is to remember who we are in God's eyes. We again hear the stories of our faith, the stories written in the Bible, and also stories of our life together, stories of how God is still speaking to people today, of how God is still interacting in our lives today.

And when we gather in a church, there symbols and signs that remind us of who we are:

-      the baptismal font reminds us that we are people who are welcomed, cleansed, and named as God’s precious child.

-      the communion table reminds us that we are fed and nurtured, the table is reminder of the meals that Jesus ate with his disciples and with others – tax collectors and women; and we remember the last supper, and the words we hear each time we celebrate the Holy meal together.

-      The cross reminds us of the death of Jesus. It is a sign and symbol that unifies Christians around the world. What was, and is, an instrument of torture, has become for us a sign of grace and love, love so strong and so deep that even death cannot deny it.

-      There are other symbols in the church that remind us of our story, some churches have stained-glass windows,

-      And there are actions that are signs and symbols; such as the blessing and the passing of the peace.

-      Another aspect of our life together that can be faith affirming is each other, the fact that we gather together to worship God, that we gather to hear God's Word read and proclaimed, that we sing of our faith, and we pray for others and ourselves. As a worshipping community we can also live and speak into the community around us, being bearers of hope and peace.

The passage that we heard read from Luke’s gospel this morning occurs in the synagogue, Jesus was reading from the book of Isaiah:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour."

The ministry of Jesus, the life of Jesus, is part of God’s ongoing story of love and grace, liberation and transformation.

If you were to write, in a few lines, what the essence of your life is, would it be centred on God? Or country? [i]

In what ways does your life speak good news, good news of the love and grace of God, good news of liberation and transformation?

 

We take a few minutes to reflect on what God is saying to us today.

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[i] working preacher Luke 4:14-21Commentary on Gospel by Karoline Lewis ..