The title of today’s sermon is Mission Possible.  I have been working with leaders in this congregation for almost a year now.  When I enter a church building for the first time, I look at the narthex and bulletin boards.  I knew right away that you were a community-oriented congregation.  That is very exciting, because churches are God to the community.  You were in the preparation stages of a community garage sale.  I read all of the communications on your bulletin boards.  Your Pastor Jim shared with enthusiasm what a wonderful group of people you were. 

I wish that all congregations would forever consider themselves a Mission Congregation because the world outside these doors is indeed a mission waiting for us.  It also causes us to always want to move forward, grow, change, embrace.  Each member of congregations should put as much energy and heart into this mission as they possibly can.

As we consider the giving of our time, talents and possessions, I pose a questions to you based on an Abbott and Costello skit.  Who’s on first? Family, friends, bills, free time...?  Who is on first?   Who or what do we think of first as we schedule our time and plan our expenditures.  For me personally, it has been a long journey and still continues to be.  With a full time job and three teenagers I often meet myself coming and going, as most of us do.  God wants us to enjoy life, be comfortable.  Possessions are just fine.  Problems arise when possessions take first place.  It’s so easy after working hard to say “We deserve this” or “Sunday’s my only day to sleep” Getting to the point where God takes first place requires deliberate effort and discipline.  As simple as it sounds, everything we have truly does belong to God.   We are the caretakers; the stewards of each other, our time, possessions; our land.  Serving God first brings such joy.  A simple analogy of money is represented by one dollar.  Giving 5% of our income is like giving a nickel; which doesn’t go very far to mission work.  My personal goal is to someday give away more than I keep for myself, more than 50%.  I’m not there yet, but will be someday.

That goes for people too.  When a visitor comes through the door wouldn’t it be great if we made them feel that their presence made our day special.  I want to share a story about a visitor.  It touched me. 

The Shoes

My alarm went off -- it was Sunday again;
I was tired -- it was my one day to sleep in.
But the guilt I'd have felt the rest of the day
Would have been too much, so I'd go; I'd pray

I showered and shaved, adjusted suit and tie,
Got there and swung into a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in humble prayer

Before I closed my eyes,
I saw that the shoe of the man next to me
Was touching my own and I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side, I thought,
"why do our soles have to touch?"
It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe,
But it didn't seem to bother him much.

Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said--
But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?"
They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end.
What's worse, there were holes on the side!

"Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet "Amen."
I tried to focus on the prayer,
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.
Aren't we supposed to look our best when walking
through that door?
"Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer ended and songs of praise began.
The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang.
He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high;
The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky.

Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep.
The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep,
And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in,
Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin.

The sermon bored me to tears--And no lie--
It was the same for the shoe man,
For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service, as is custom here,
We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer.
But I was moved inside to want to meet this man,
So after the closing, I shook his hand.

He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess.
I thanked him for coming, for being our guest,
He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend,"
And there were tears in his eyes--but he had a wide grin.

"Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes.
"I've been coming for months, and you're the first to say, "Hi."
I know I don't look like all the rest,
But I always try to look my best."

"I polish my shoes before my long walk,
But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk."
My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears,
He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near."
"But I know when I get here, I must look a sight.
And I thought...if I touched you, our souls might unite."

I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said
would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart
not my head.

"Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part,
that the best of a man is what's in his heart."
The rest, I thought, this man will never know.
How thankful I am that he touched my soul!

This mission is very possible.  I encourage every one, young and old, to develop an individual mission statement.  A respected colleague of mine shared his mission statement.  It inspired me to develop one of my own.   Think about all God has blessed us with.  Each of us is a tender flower, waiting to bloom.  I can’t stress enough how important it is for us to be encouragers to each other.  We have to work to discover each we have and strive to use those gifts to the glory of God. 

It’s so much fun to see gifts in others and help them develop and grow into their own special ministries.  Sometimes all it takes is a few words of encouragement and someone dares to get involved, help teach Sunday school, be an usher, join a committee.  I have been reading a book call Invite Ignite and Unite, published by Lutheran Brotherhood.  That’s what it is all about in following that path, we grow; inside and out.  Invite a friend or co-worker to visit, invite others to participate.  Ignite-meaning get people fired up—smile—encourage—and unite bring people together.  Match young people with shut-ins.  Those are relationships, which benefit everyone.

Our Lord wants us to rely on Him for strength as we move forward in our own ministries.  Do not be afraid of change--grasp it and build on it.

Be generous with your time talents and possessions.  Aren’t the most joyful people you know those that are generous?  Pray for your congregation as it serves God and the community.  Pray for your leaders.  Fill your congregation  with joy.  Keep blooming and growing!  Peace to each of you, Amen.