A Sermon Preached by The Rev. Cindy Mueller
May 24, 2009 ~ Parkview UCC
Acts 1:8-14 and Luke 24:44-53
 

Grace, mercy and peace be with you from God who is as a mother and father to us and from
our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
 Besides being Memorial Day weekend, today is also Ascension Sunday – the day in
the church year when we reflect upon the texts that refer to the story of Jesus’ ascending into
heaven to be with God after having risen from the dead and given his final instructions to the
disciples. That final message was a powerful one intended not merely for those close to
Jesus at that time, but also for us as we seek to be his followers today. Christ wanted the
disciples to know that even though he was going to leave them, they were now to carry God’s
message of love to the ends of the earth and give witness to the power of transformation that
is possible when we live in right relationship with God and with one another. Those parting
words included a promise as well – that they would never be left alone or without the
necessary resources to carry out that mission to which he was calling his followers. The gift
Christ spoke of was the Holy Spirit. Through that Spirit these followers would be equipped to
bring about the transformation God knew to be possible. Next Sunday we celebrate the form
that gift took – the giving of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, but today, we pause to
reflect upon how we, too, have been given this gift of God’s love and how you, as Christ’s
church, are called to bring that love into the world.

 
But first, let me make a bit of a confession - typically, I would choose to skip over the
story of the Ascension and preach on alternative texts provided in the lectionary because I
have some real theological difficulties with this story. But this year, it seems apropos to
preach on this text because it speaks to the transformational power of God that can, and has
been, at work in our midst during this time of transition. This text also reminds us that it is
through us that this transformation has been possible – God has chosen to work through
Christ’s followers – each and every one of us.

 
The dictionary in my computer defines transformation like this – “…complete change,
usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness.”  When applying the
word transformation to this congregation, I am not referring to a cosmetic change having
taken place, but rather a cultural change; a change in attitude, customs, practices, and social
behavior brought about as a result of making room for the Holy Spirit to work. I have
witnessed this transformation; in board and council meetings, at annual meetings, in
discussions around difficult topics where members hold very different opinions about what
should be done in response to a challenge the congregation faces. This transformation has
given birth to a new found trust among members that has nurtured God’s seeds of hope and
blossomed into great joy. These things have transformed all who have stepped foot in this
place.  

Let me share with you this morning some of the examples of transformation I have
witnessed in the midst of this community of faith - because these examples are evidence that
the members of this congregation have tapped into their God-given gifts and brought about
the transformation Christ speaks of in today’s scripture.
Through my work with the various boards I have seen the:
Diaconate become very intentional in welcoming visitors while also taking on new
responsibilities and daring to try new things. This has allowed the Spirit to be at work.

 

This group has made it a priority to create opportunities for members to connect because they
have been convinced that such interaction has strengthened this congregation and provided
opportunities for the membership to reach out and extend God’s love. They have also been
willing to hand over some of their responsibilities to others who want to be involved and as a
result have drawn others into the mission of the church.

 
 The board of Trustees has been open to working alongside the other leaders of the
church and been willing to hold off on building a budget until AFTER successfully completing
a stewardship campaign. This action allowed the work of the Holy Spirit to move among the
members as we each determined how God was calling us to respond from our abundance by
returning to God a larger portion of that blessing in thanksgiving. This has truly been a step of
faith; trusting in God to provide all that is needed so that this faith community can move into
the next chapter in its life together. This board has also been willing to trust me as their
pastor to lead them down new paths and to attempt new things.

 
 The OCWM board has opened itself up by being willing to go about their work in a
different way while always keeping a sharp eye on the mission statement of this church as
they work. They have never lost sight of where God is leading this congregation.

The Christian Education board has seen a transformation of leadership as they have
taken on duties previously assumed by the Associate Pastor. They have sought to organize
themselves in such a way that has proven to better support the Church School and the role of
pastor with regards to the Confirmation program. This truly is a group of spirit-filled people.  
 But this experience of transformation has not been restricted to gatherings of elected
leaders. I have witnessed it in your times of fellowship. The variety show comes to mind as
people gathered to laugh and celebrate our lives together. People are looking for ways to
connect with those whom they do not know well. This is beginning to take place more often
as you have grown in appreciation, respect and trust for one another. The bonds you have
developed have been genuinely expressed. Committee meetings are even fun and provide a
time to connect with one another. And laughter is something often heard here. God’s Spirit
truly is energizing this congregation!

 Another example of how you have allowed the Holy Spirit to be at work through you is
in your willingness to risk making change. I know this congregation doesn’t like surprises,
but it has been such a blessing to watch the Spirit at work as you have allowed yourselves to
risk doing things differently – like in worship; you have received my power points with genuine
excitement and interest, you have been willing to try singing new hymns (even singing in
Spanish on communion Sundays). You have been willing to let old traditions take a back seat
to fresh ideas generated by others (even when they weren’t what you might have preferred).
Such actions have allowed strong roots to take hold.

 You have also learned to trust one another and your pastor. You have been willing to
listen to one another and make every effort to support one another in times of need. You
rarely ever jump to negative assumptions; you have become responsive – thinking and
planning ahead – rather than reactive and quick to blame. You have opened yourselves up in
such a way that you have been willing to accept my leadership – even when it wasn’t
necessarily what you might have thought was the best way to tackle something – you were
still willing to give it a try and support any efforts to move in a new direction. You have chosen
to trust God’s lead – and because of that we have been able to do great things together.  
Others of you have stepped down so that a younger generation could take the lead in
moving this congregation into the future; you have chosen to trust that this next generation is
as deeply committed in their faith and to this church as you are and thus been able to rest
assured that the future of Parkview UCC is in good hands. You decided by a process that
resulted in near consensus to eliminate a second clergy position and to make a commitment
to a significant increase in clergy compensation (even when it would result in a very
challenging budget). You have been open to my leadership even when it took you into the
unknown because you dared to have hope that things could be different.  You have been
willing to accept my leadership as your pastor - even though there were some who may have
been quite skeptical of others in this same position in the past.

 
 Another area you, the members of Parkview UCC have brought about transformation
has been in the growing confidence you have developed in yourselves as a faith
community; you are beginning to believe what I saw early on here – you are a deeply
talented congregation who has a great deal to offer to our hurting world. You are beginning to
truly believe that God has a wonderful plan for this congregation. You have actually begun to
plan for the future because you believe there IS a future for Parkview UCC. Your lay
leadership has proven they can trust one another to do their own work without second
guessing each other. Younger, as well as older members have come to appreciate what the
other has to offer and are feeling much more comfortable with one another – in fact, you
enjoy each others company! The hope and energy that is present here testifies to the work of
the Holy Spirit in our midst.

 
Other examples of how the membership of this church has contributed to the
transformation that has taken place here is by stepping forward to lead; an Interim Steering
Team was selected by your Council and this congregation choose to listen to them and follow
their lead in doing some very important work over a two year period of time even though that
meant slowing down the search process. That work led us down a very different path then
you had taken before – and yet you were supportive. And various lay people have stepped
forward to lead our youth group after having grown accustomed to having clergy leadership in
this area. These truly are things to celebrate.

 I give God thanks for these many acts of transformation. Because of your commitment,
your resourcefulness, your trust and your faith, this community truly is a witness to the
resurrection!

 
I have often wondered why people want to give me all the credit for the transformation
that has taken place here at Parkview United Church of Christ. Sure, I know I played a part in
it, but I truly believe it is only because of how you, the members of this faith community, have
done all the transformational work I have listed here that this transformation was able to take
place. As the Holy Spirit has blown through this congregation, it is only because you have
allowed yourselves to get caught up in that Spirit that you have been transformed. It is
because you have taken an active role in transforming this congregation that God has been
able to be at work and as a result you have experienced first hand the joy that only God can
give. And that joy has been contagious!

 
Since this resurrection has taken place among you there have been people asking to
join with you – we are having another new member class this Wednesday at 6:30 pm (come
join us if you are interested in learning more about this exciting and life-giving community of
faith we call Parkview UCC). These visitors have experienced your joy, first hand, and they
want to share in it - and they want their children to share in it as well! What a beautiful gift.  
 It is in all these ways that you have played an extremely important role in bringing
about the transformation experienced in our midst.

 
 For just as today’s scripture witnesses to the unwillingness of Christ to be tied down to
the earth, you too have decided to believe in the hope and love of God which has gifted you
with a new future; a new way of being church; a new beginning for your lives as a faith
community. God has always wanted this for you. And because you have opened yourselves
up to God’s Holy Spirit, you have been entrusted with a great power to transform a world
deeply in need of the hope you have come to know first hand. You are now called to be
bearers of this transforming love of God that can rewrite the future chapters of our lives and
has the potential of changing this world in which we live.

 
 You have been released from a painful past – you have been released for something
new, something higher, something that has drawn you out of yourselves and into the life and
power of God; you have chosen to believe in God’s promise of resurrection. As you move
forward, remember, you must continue to play an active part in the life of this faith community
- by being generous in your financial contributions, faithful in your attendance, steady in your
support of the leadership of this church (both clergy and laity) and fierce in living in healthy
relationship with one another and ever open to listening to our Still-speaking God who loves
us and has incredible plans in the works for you and your new pastor.

You have come alive as a community of faith; you have been touched by God’s Holy
Spirit. And even though I will not play a role in your future, the transformation you have taken
part in will not dissolve or go with me - for you all remain. You have been chosen to be God’s
agents of transformation. You have been gifted with faith enough to believe in its powerful
possibilities. You will be given the gift of a new pastor to lead you into that future, and
together, you will continue to experience God’s gift of joy as the Holy Spirit taps into your
many gifts as you live out your calling.

 
May you not merely treasure this time we have had on the mountaintop, but rather
journey down the mountain to begin another season of planting those seeds of hope,
nurturing one another and cultivating the new ministry God places before you while
welcoming all to join you on the journey. If you continue to be the gardeners I have had the
privilege to witness these past several months, you will no doubt produce not only enough to
sustain you into the future, but you will have an abundance from which to share with the
world as you give life to the new beginning God has blessed you with at Parkview United
Church of Christ.

 
 It is my prayer for you that you will take all you have learned and all that you have
done to transform this community of faith and bring it with you into that future. When I leave, I
won’t be taking any of that with me. You hold that transformative power.  I know you won’t be
unhappy with where it leads you, because you will be giving life to the purpose God has
called you to - to share your God-given gifts, deepening your faith, so you can live, love and
serve as Jesus taught, welcoming all for the glory of the Still-speaking God.

 
 And that’s the good news for today!