Call to Worship
Christ is the Lord of the morning,
The Author of the day,
The Spirit who composes the notes of spring.
May all creation sing his praise!

Unison Prayer
Thank you, God, for bringing us safely through another night: for the sights of the rising sun, the morning dew, the flowers opening their petals; for the sounds of roosters crowing, towns awakening, children playing; for the scents of coffee brewing and breakfast baking; for the tastes of fresh fruits and cereals, pancakes and sausages; for the handshake of a friend, the warmth of a sanctuary, the restoring spirit of worship.  Amen.

Words of Assurance: Isaiah 54:13, NIV
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.

Opening Song: Keith & Kristyn Getty, “In Christ Alone”

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Good News Bible
Christ is like a single body, which has many parts; it is still one body, even though it is made up of different parts. In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into the one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given the one Spirit to drink.

Sunday Sermon

We’ve had an incredible church year so far, with a year’s worth of highlights in just four months. One of the highlights is that we are on our fourth baptism in four months.

Quentin is a third child, so thank you Pete and Dominique for being repeat customers! I’m the oldest of two children, my mother was the oldest of two children and my father was the oldest of two children, so none of us know what it’s like to be part of a family with three children. Fortunately we have something our parents didn’t: Google. Google says that because Quentin already has siblings, he may end up being the most independent, social and adaptable of the three, although he will have his own personality. Google also says that since you’ve (Dominque and Pete) had more practice by now, you will be more confident and relaxed, although for now it’s probably just “more tired.”

Since Quentin already goes to church, he has a head start. But as you’ve already experienced with your other children, soon he will start to try to do two things at once: fit in and stand out. Another way to put this – and this is something I experienced growing up – was that one parent would say, “Why don’t you try to be like the other kids?” and the other would say, “Just be yourself.” But I’m not going to talk about my family too much today, because they’re here.

Today’s Scripture addresses this subject. We are all part of the same body, yet we have different functions, and the Spirit unites us all. So how can we be both different and the same? It’s a brain teaser, like the bumper sticker, Just remember, you’re absolutely unique – just like everyone else.

Quentin is a Newman, but he won’t be the same kind of a Newman, and that’s kind of strange to think about, isn’t it? According to psychology, you have control over about 50% of him and the rest will develop from some unseen formula that you can’t understand. Even his brother and sister will probably say at some point, “how did you even grow up in the same household?” This isn’t to say he’ll be weird, although he may be, just different from the other two, and from you. And that is not a bad thing.

I’m friends with a couple who has three boys. They say, one’s like Dad, one’s like Mom, and we don’t know about the third one. But the third one is the one I understand. He’s like me. What they think is weird I think is normal, and what they think is normal I think is weird. But at the same time, the three brothers are very close, and although they fight, they would do anything to help the other ones, which brings us back to our Scripture.

John Wesley writes, “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.” The proverb reads, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” But what does this mean? This means, train Quentin to be a Newman, passing on the family values you’ve inherited, and (apologies to Pete because you’ve been hearing this all your life), at the same time, train him to be a new man; in other words, leave room for him to discover things you may never have considered.

Famous siblings Donny & Marie used to sing a song that went, “I’m a little bit country / I’m a little bit rock ‘n’ roll / I’m a little bit of Memphis and Nashville / With a little bit of Motown in my soul.” They had very different tastes, but they both loved music, and they loved each other enough to do a variety show together. Each of them had their own role to play in the family and on the show.

The Scripture goes on to say that some of us are hands, some are feet, some are eyes, some are voices. Some are preachers, some are teachers, some are healers, some are prayers. Some are the people who run an event; some are the people who set up and put away. Some are the people who sing; some are the read. Some are the people who talk about Jesus everywhere they go; some are the people who talk about social justice. Some protest; some pray. Some organize; some help. Some give what they can; some give all they can. Some focus on the poor and others on the planet. They come from different nations and cultures and types of households; they have different tastes and preferences and habits. But when they work together, they represent the best of our faith.

Every parent wants their kids to like what they like. If we love fishing, we hope our children will love fishing. But what if they’d rather read a book? If we love poetry, we hope our children will love poetry. But what if they love manga? If we love soccer – which will probably be the entire next generation – we hope our children will love soccer. But what if they love cooking? And so on. Perhaps the most important thing I’m saying is, teach a child that they can be who they are and still be loved.

If we do this, we’ll be passing on the lesson of today’s Scripture: that whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, native or immigrant, Democrat or Republican, when we are baptized in the faith, we are given the same Spirit ~ whatever age, whatever gender, whatever race, whatever nationality. We are different, yet we are one. We fit in even as we stand out. Paul goes on to write of all the different ways one can be part of the same body, as he builds to a very simple conclusion: the best thing we can do is love.

If we teach our children that we love them, and that God loves them, and instill in them a desire to love others, then we’ve done our part. There is no greater calling. May your family be filled with love, may love flow freely from you, and may you always be surrounded by and encouraged by the love of God. Amen.

Closing Song: Celtic Worship, “Because He Lives”

Benediction
May we go forth to seek
commonality rather than difference,
mutual respect rather than ranking,
and unity rather than separation.
Amen.