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Yasmin Brown, Sunday, January 3, 2010

The purpose of a church is to portray the life and teachings of our Lord and Savior who died for us. He sacrificed his life for us and only requests that we live as closely to his likeness as possible, however; this is not always done. People usually forget to act in the way that God asks us to but that’s where the church is supposed to step in as a reminder.

It is more commonly thought of as a building but in actuality; the church is more than four walls, a cross, and a couple of wooden pews. In fact, like the catchy church hymn states, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is the people.

The role of the church is to be a symbol and model of Christ by living in harmony with one another as well as teaching and spreading the Gospel. It is a sacred and holy organization where people of all beliefs gather to hear the Word, participate in fellowship with one another, and leave knowing that they are to share what they have learned in their daily lives. The idea of church normally brings about old wooden framed buildings with a large bell situated nearby. Tradition and history often carry a flood of thoughts such as being strictly conservative, throwing on your Sunday’s best, and sitting in the same spot every Sunday; but it is more than this. The history of the church is important because it tells us where we came from and how we got to the present. Tradition within church is essential because it shows us the customs and practices that have been passed down from those before us. Tradition and history are only two of the much needed elements for an established church to thrive.

Times have not changed. Just as we have heard in the lesson of Luke – parents still lose their children AND children still run off from their parents. After looking for Jesus for 3 days, they finally found him. Now I do not have any children but even when I can’t find my favorite high heels for a couple of minutes or more OR when I misplace my keys, I go into a state of panic. So imagine Mary and Joseph literally not being able to find their 12 yrs old son. Imagine the state they would have been in.

You see though times have not exactly changed, there is a flipside to this story. Jesus was found in his Father’s house learning instead of at Chuck-E-Cheese on the slide with the other children and instead of at the mall spending money. Mary’s reaction is quite normal though. Her and Joseph finally reach Jesus but it takes them 3 days to do so. THREE DAYS! When they find him he is amongst the elders and teachers. He was in the temple listening to the teachers and asking questions.

You and I may think, well? Hmmm…..what an odd place to be? Especially for someone this young. A young boy at age 12, strays away from his parents and he is found in the temple? I too was given that same response when I told a couple of friends I was going to the Seminary. Some didn’t know how to take it, others asked if I was sure about my decision, and still others have yet to even comment --- but they all had the same look on their faces. One of questioning, a look of doubt, a look of ‘is she serious?’

And yet, the story goes on….When questioned by his mother Mary, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” His response was unusual. Jesus said, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

This too is an odd response. What child answers their parents like this? And with a tone of faith in the base of his voice. Here we see that Jesus did not see the problem with staying behind without his parents knowledge. Most children don’t see the problem with this unless they are told. Unless they get into trouble. Unless something dramatic happens to them. BUT nothing like that happens here.

HERE…Jesus simply answers his mother by asking a question…….something many of us know better not to do. But He does it. He does not however answer her to be rude or disrespectful, he questions her as to say, ‘where is your faith’? “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This is another direct question which he does not mean to cause any harm but only means it in the way were he’s making sure that his parents know he had been in good hands at all times since he was in his Father’s house.

For those of you who don’t know, I was confirmed here with three others by Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson and I was one of the few confirmands that stuck around. Since I’ve attended St. Pauls since the age of 12 I’ve always been at my Father’s house. Though my parents were never looking for me and I had not wandered off for 3 days, I did not go elsewhere. I along with Jesus stayed behind to in a way listen and talk to the teachers. In my case, the teachers were you guys!

Instead of asking why me? Or asking why did I stick around? I would much rather someone ask me, why not? And for sticking around, I’d like to say look where it got me? I am a year and a half away from a Masters Degree in Christian Education and like Jesus was found by his mother Mary within his Father’s house, I too hope to lead generations to our Father’s house where they too can sit and listen to teachers and question things as I have done over the years.

So with that said, I would like to thank my St. Paul’s family and though many of you aren’t here now, the ones that are here know who you are! I was told by Pastor Gary to talk about myself and I am not good at that. I am not one to brag at all but I guess I’ll try. He told me to tell St. Paul’s how I was doing and at first, I struggled with this because I figured I’m doing fine……….but then again, I’m always fine! I realized the true answer to this question when I was getting ready to go out last night. I stood in front of the mirror just to glance at my outfit one last time. And it came to me! I am blessed! Not only had I woken up that morning, but I had ate as well. Not only had I drove to the mall earlier that day, but I got out and walked to several different stores. Not only did I finally find something to wear, but I was able to put the clothes on for myself. And lastly, not only did I see myself, I saw Jesus in me. I saw my Lord standing in front of me starring back at me and I was reminded that I did not get here on my own.

I am blessed for many different reasons but most importantly I am blessed because you, my teachers who had been here for me to listen and learn from. It is you who have put me into LTSP …the seminary. I saw that I was blessed at 10 at night while starring at myself in the mirror because of all of you. And so, my new answer to PG’s question of, ‘how am I doing?’ would be, “ I’m blessed and my St. Paul’s family has helped me to realize this. And so, I thank you!”




		Yasmin Brown, Sunday, January 3, 2010 The purpose of a church is to portray the life and teachings of our Lord and Savior who died for us. He sacrificed his life for us and only requests that we live as closely to his likeness as possible, however; this is not always done. People usually forget to act in the way that God asks us to but that’s where the church is supposed to step in as a reminder. It is more commonly thought of as a building but in actuality; the church is more than four walls, a cross, and a couple of wooden pews. In fact, like the catchy church hymn states, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is the people. The role of the church is to be a symbol and model of Christ by living in harmony with one another as well as teaching and spreading the Gospel. It is a sacred and holy organization where people of all beliefs gather to hear the Word, participate in fellowship with one another, and leave knowing that they are to share what they have learned in their daily lives. The idea of church normally brings about old wooden framed buildings with a large bell situated nearby. Tradition and history often carry a flood of thoughts such as being strictly conservative, throwing on your Sunday’s best, and sitting in the same spot every Sunday; but it is more than this. The history of the church is important because it tells us where we came from and how we got to the present. Tradition within church is essential because it shows us the customs and practices that have been passed down from those before us. Tradition and history are only two of the much needed elements for an established church to thrive. Times have not changed. Just as we have heard in the lesson of Luke – parents still lose their children AND children still run off from their parents. After looking for Jesus for 3 days, they finally found him. Now I do not have any children but even when I can’t find my favorite high heels for a couple of minutes or more OR when I misplace my keys, I go into a state of panic. So imagine Mary and Joseph literally not being able to find their 12 yrs old son. Imagine the state they would have been in. You see though times have not exactly changed, there is a flipside to this story. Jesus was found in his Father’s house learning instead of at Chuck-E-Cheese on the slide with the other children and instead of at the mall spending money. Mary’s reaction is quite normal though. Her and Joseph finally reach Jesus but it takes them 3 days to do so. THREE DAYS! When they find him he is amongst the elders and teachers. He was in the temple listening to the teachers and asking questions. You and I may think, well? Hmmm…..what an odd place to be? Especially for someone this young. A young boy at age 12, strays away from his parents and he is found in the temple? I too was given that same response when I told a couple of friends I was going to the Seminary. Some didn’t know how to take it, others asked if I was sure about my decision, and still others have yet to even comment --- but they all had the same look on their faces. One of questioning, a look of doubt, a look of ‘is she serious?’ And yet, the story goes on….When questioned by his mother Mary, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” His response was unusual. Jesus said, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This too is an odd response. What child answers their parents like this? And with a tone of faith in the base of his voice. Here we see that Jesus did not see the problem with staying behind without his parents knowledge. Most children don’t see the problem with this unless they are told. Unless they get into trouble. Unless something dramatic happens to them. BUT nothing like that happens here. HERE…Jesus simply answers his mother by asking a question…….something many of us know better not to do. But He does it. He does not however answer her to be rude or disrespectful, he questions her as to say, ‘where is your faith’? “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” This is another direct question which he does not mean to cause any harm but only means it in the way were he’s making sure that his parents know he had been in good hands at all times since he was in his Father’s house. For those of you who don’t know, I was confirmed here with three others by Pastor Kathryn Gulbranson and I was one of the few confirmands that stuck around. Since I’ve attended St. Pauls since the age of 12 I’ve always been at my Father’s house. Though my parents were never looking for me and I had not wandered off for 3 days, I did not go elsewhere. I along with Jesus stayed behind to in a way listen and talk to the teachers. In my case, the teachers were you guys! Instead of asking why me? Or asking why did I stick around? I would much rather someone ask me, why not? And for sticking around, I’d like to say look where it got me? I am a year and a half away from a Masters Degree in Christian Education and like Jesus was found by his mother Mary within his Father’s house, I too hope to lead generations to our Father’s house where they too can sit and listen to teachers and question things as I have done over the years. So with that said, I would like to thank my St. Paul’s family and though many of you aren’t here now, the ones that are here know who you are! I was told by Pastor Gary to talk about myself and I am not good at that. I am not one to brag at all but I guess I’ll try. He told me to tell St. Paul’s how I was doing and at first, I struggled with this because I figured I’m doing fine……….but then again, I’m always fine! I realized the true answer to this question when I was getting ready to go out last night. I stood in front of the mirror just to glance at my outfit one last time. And it came to me! I am blessed! Not only had I woken up that morning, but I had ate as well. Not only had I drove to the mall earlier that day, but I got out and walked to several different stores. Not only did I finally find something to wear, but I was able to put the clothes on for myself. And lastly, not only did I see myself, I saw Jesus in me. I saw my Lord standing in front of me starring back at me and I was reminded that I did not get here on my own. I am blessed for many different reasons but most importantly I am blessed because you, my teachers who had been here for me to listen and learn from. It is you who have put me into LTSP …the seminary. I saw that I was blessed at 10 at night while starring at myself in the mirror because of all of you. And so, my new answer to PG’s question of, ‘how am I doing?’ would be, “ I’m blessed and my St. Paul’s family has helped me to realize this. And so, I thank you!”