Unnamed Heroes

August 26, 2014

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Moments before the sermon last Sunday, I took a quick sip from one of the bottles of water stacked behind the pulpit.  It is a supply of about twenty bottles that just appeared one day nearly a year ago, and I have no idea who first put them there.  Every Sunday, when I finish a bottle, there is a fresh one to take its place the following week.   I’ve probably gone through dozens of bottles over the past year, but it is still as freshly stocked now as the day I first discovered this surprise gift.

To this day, I don’t know who is responsible for it, or even if they receive this Mid-Week Message for me to express my thanks.  But I am grateful for them.  Not just for the water, but for the reminder that the mission of the church is advanced not just by people in the spotlight, but by humble, faithful, and seemingly anonymous people like them.  These are people whose actions and impact are widespread, even if their identities are not. 

Consider all of the people whose anonymous activities in the Bible made huge differences in putting of God’s love into action.  In fact, let’s imagine putting them into something like a Hall of Unnamed Heroes, where we can finally acknowledge their contributions to the faith.  Were there literally such a Hall, it would be more prestigious than Canton or Cooperstown, for these people impacted the world through achievements that the Bible has recorded throughout time. 

·      When you first walk into the Hall, you might notice a little knapsack.  It’s the one that an anonymous little boy used to carry his lunch of bread and fish, which he willingly turned over to the disciples for Jesus to multiply into a feast.   (John 6:10-14)

·      Look down the way you’ll find a mat, used as a makeshift gurney by some anonymous friends to lower their paralyzed buddy through a rooftop, into a crowded house, and toward the healing hands of Jesus.  (Luke 5:19)

·      Don’t blink or you’ll miss the corner of the room, where an alabaster box is in proud display.  That’s the one that an unnamed woman used to pour some precious perfume, which she used to anoint Jesus’ feet.  It was an act of devotion and worship that Jesus used as an object lesson for the disciples.  (Luke 7:37)

·      Right next to it is a simple wooden crook, used as a staff by one of the shepherds when they were tending their flocks on the night the angels lit up the night sky with good news.  We don’t know their names, but we surely remember their joy.  (Luke 2:8-20)

·      In an open floor area of the Hall is a bale of hay and a leather strap.  It’s what some unnamed individual used to care for a young colt, which he had raised for months and kept from being ridden until he turned it over to the disciples for a special purpose:  as a courier for the King on the first Palm Sunday.  (Luke 19:28-38)

·      And don’t forget the two coins.  In a Hall this grand you are likely to miss them, sitting there in the Temple treasury box.  It’s what that lowly widow contributed one day, in an offering that went largely unnoticed, but caught the attention of Jesus. He turned that anonymous widow’s offering into a stirring illustration of generosity and sacrifice.  (Luke 21:1-4)

·      And in the middle of this grand Hall of Unnamed Heroes is a table.  It has seating for a guest of honor and twelve special friends.  And in the middle is a plate and a chalice, along with a basin and towel.  Who made the arrangements for the very first Last Supper?  We don’t know his name, but he owned that upper room, and he made sure that everything was set for this final feast among friends.   (Luke 22:7-13)

That’s just a small portion of the magnitude of people who have driven the mission of God forward across time.  You are among them, you know.  Never think for a moment that God’s love is put into action by just those of us who wear a collar, or are on a church’s payroll.  There are unnamed heroes among us, just like whoever it is that stocks the pulpit with water for me every Sunday.

·      Did you know, for example, that some of our church members come to trim the bushes around our sanctuary whenever they need it?  And that people have been coming to cut the church grass without need for public thanks?  Or weeded the south gardens to make sure it was presentable to the public?

·      The next time you fill out your attendance form with a freshly sharpened pencil, who do you think sharpened that pencil and placed in the pew for your use?

·      Last week, we printed new church directories for our office and lay committees, containing updated address and phone information for people in our congregation.  Two people have spent the better part of the past year updating our membership books, cross-referencing it to our membership software, and making sure that every bit of information in these directories is accurate.  And they don’t want to be publically thanked for it.

·      How about those beautiful flowers that have adorned our pulpit and lectern throughout these summer Sundays, especially when flowers have not been purchased for our altar?  Did you know that two women have faithfully brought beautiful, freshly cut flowers from their gardens to make sure that our chancel is always adorned with beauty.

.      Every Sunday, much of our worship content is shown on the screens, and there are two people who put together the Powerpoint presentations that make it happen.  Every hymn, every prayer, every scripture reading, all done with great care.  And they do this without the need for acknowledgment.  

·      How about our precious shut-ins and homebound residents?  Did you know that each week, they receive a visit from one of our church members, along with a CD recording of the previous Sunday service and a copy of our bulletin?

Oh, I could go on and on.  In a church like ours, with only one pastor, and a small group of part-time support staff, volunteer contributions of time and energy that might seem insignificant actually make a huge impact.  We all might not share the spotlight, but we can all share the light of Christ out of our talents and giftedness.   It’s no wonder that Jesus said “Those who are first will be last and the last will be first.”  And I’m so grateful for those of you who have “come not to be served, but to serve.”

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

531 W. Main St.

Cherokee, IA  51012

Ph:  712-225-3955

Email:  mdevega@sp-umc.org

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE

We resume our regular schedule on September 7, with Sunday school beginning at 9:00 and worship at 10:10.  Wednesday Teen Time for high schoolers begins on September 10 at 6:30pm at Craig and Monica Schmidt’s house, and music rehearsals for Bell Choir and Chancel choirs also begin on September 10. 

FURNITURE SILENT AUCTION

Starting this Sunday, items from the Feller Lounge will be sold via silent auction.  It will include a number of furniture pieces that will be replaced with new furnishings.  End tables, bookcases, and other items will be displayed in the hallway outside the office over the next three Sundays, and you can place an anonymous bid on the sheets adjacent to each item.  Proceeds will be used to purchase new furniture for the lounge.

SPECIAL OFFERING

We are receiving a special offering over the next two Sundays to assist those affected by the closing of the Tyson plant next month.  Make your check payable to St. Paul’s UMC and designated for “Local Aid.”  Your contribution will be sent to the local food pantries and to the Cherokee Community Ministerial Association, which works with the Salvation Army.