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The New Commandment
Sunday Worship Sermon
AUGUST 9, 2009 - “A new command I give you, Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-45
In Reverend Sparks’ submission for our 190th Anniversary book, Salem’s former pastor says, “We have been especially appreciative of the spirit of missions that has continued to emanate from the Salem Congregation. As we read The Mountain Shepherd from month to month one of the first things that catches our attention is the mission update. Our hearts rejoice in seeing that Salem continues to take seriously the fact that “the mission of the church is missions!” Yes we are to be about our Lord’s command in both Wolfsville and into the uttermost parts of the earth.”
We at Salem do feel mission work is important. We can’t just say, “God I love you. Christ I believe in you.” If we say and believe those things, we can’t help but put our love and belief into action.
Here are the sixteen projects we support: (read list from Salem’s Mountain Shepherd newsletter)
• New Tribes Mission – Our own Frank and Nancy Stottlemyer are retired missionaries. This support extends their missionary work.
• Campus Crusade for Christ – A ministry to students on college campuses
• etc.
As a way of honoring God’s mission work accomplished through Salem, I’d like to highlight one particular project this morning: our annual mission trip to the Appalachian region of Kentucky.
(Run slide show of pictures from this week’s mission trip to Harlan, Kentucky.)
(Pianist plays “Here I Am Lord” during the slide show.)
(Make the following remarks after the slide show.)
This past week, Gary Barkdoll, Mary and Tim Brown, Joe Hawkins, Kathy and Richard Queen, Courtney Reid, Todd Raynor, Michael Sanders, Bob and Colleen Snyder, and Sue Ellen Stottlemyer were servants to a single mom, Judy Langford, and her ten year old daughter Francis. Judy and Francis, who live in a trailer, want to move into the old family home. It is believed to be the second oldest home in Caywood, KY. Judy’s grandparents first lived there. Over the years, the home came into disrepair. The last family member to live in the home was Judy’s disabled brother, who died there last November. Following his death, Judy hoped she and her daughter could move into the home and continue to keep it in the family.
Camp O’Cumberlands, part of the Red Bird Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church, approved Judy’s home as a mission project. Since June, several mission teams have worked on the home rebuilding the roof and adding an addition for a bathroom. Our job this week was to install siding on the entire exterior of the house; build a bathroom; install wallboard in the kitchen and bathroom; install a toilet, bath tub, hot water heater along with all the plumbing; and install flooring in Judy and Francis’ bedroom’s.
Judy was overjoyed at all the work on the family home that has been accomplished this summer. Angie Cunigan, director at Camp O’Cumberlands, remarked that after some finishing touches, Judy and her daughter Francis will be able to move from their trailer into the home soon.
At this time, I’d like to invite members of our team to share what it has meant to them to serve Judy and Francis this week. After others have shared, summarize the mission trip experience.
A few quotes to draw from:
• “When we do mission work, we’re not just repairing and renovating a home. We’re bringing the love of God into the lives of the people we serve. This week, we had the privilege of being Christ to Judy and Francis. It is an overwhelming honor to do that.”
• “Not only did we work on Judy’s home, but we also spent time getting to know Judy and her daughter. They came back to Camp O’Cumberland and enjoyed the waterfall, the woods, and the stream. They ate dinner with us and joined in the circle around our camp fire. Through them, God taught us and we experienced God’s love.”
• “The relationships of individual team members grew deeper sharing this week long experience together in such a way that would be hard to duplicate at home. We traveled together, worked together, grew tired together, laughed together, had meals and enjoyed free time together, and felt Christ’s presence together during a challenging week-long experience. There’s nothing quite like a mission trip away from home to deepen our relationships with one another.”
• “We we’re blessed to have Richard Queen supervise our work. We could never have accomplished what we did without his knowledge, talent, and leadership. A memorable quote from Richard this week is, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll fix it.”
• “The highlight of the trip for me was looking at Francis’ face as her bedroom began to take shape. That in itself was worth all the time and hard work.”
• “Early in the week, Judy asked if I would bless her home. The liturgy for blessing a home reads, ‘Dear friends we have gathered together to seek God’s blessing upon this home, which by the favor of God and human labor has been made ready.’ Had we not gone to Kentucky, Judy and her daughter’s home would still not be ready.”
If you were not able to attend this year’s trip, I encourage you to sign up for next year. Ask anyone who has attended – it’s a great experience. And thank you for your continued support of God’s mission work through Salem. Through your resources, time, and talents we are making a difference in the lives of others.
Let us pray…
Most holy and loving God, it is by your favor that all good things are made possible.
Thank you for calling us into service and helping us to say “yes” to your call.
Protect, encourage, and strengthen Judy and Francis as they move into their home and begin a new chapter in their lives.
Help us use for good what they taught us in Kentucky. And help us all continue to answer your call to serving the needs of others as Jesus in his life first taught us to do.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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