Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Commitment Sunday
James 5:7-12
• James, a general epistle, a primer on the practical
aspects of Christian living. This is what you do. This is what you do while
waiting faithfully and patiently for the coming of the Lord. In the meanwhile
live well, being giving and forgiving, being a model for others.
Last week you were given three take home commitment
cards to fill out and return, one regarding your financial commitment to the church,
one your service commitment, and one asking for extra support for our
air-conditioning fund.
Looking for yesses today.
• Fall 1919 young man named George Simmers, at the
Lebanon Salem United Brethren asked Pastor Miller about starting a new church.
Rev. Miller said yes, and they looked around and the Spirit led them to Ctown.
A suitable location in the schoolhouse was found, and in January 1920 Rev.
Longenecker of the Palmyra 2nd UB said yes and preached.
• 8 months later 14 members banded together and
chartered the congregation, under the leadership of Rev. Rhoads. A little flock
became a little church, but as people poured their lives into the church it
grew.
• Remarkably it faltered not though it was a teen in
the Great Depression, but it continued to be a center of faith in Ctown as
people continued to dedicate their lives to Christ through this body the
church. People said yes to God and yes to the church over the decades and
through the contributions of the faithful, the church’s property and buildings
grew.
The denomination grew as UB joined with Evangelical
Association to become the EUB, which later merged with the Methodist church to
become The UMC.
• May find odd this passage from James that offers
“never make solemn pledge” and continues Let your yes be yes, your no be no. Make
your word and stick to it. Wait faithfully and patiently for the coming of the
Lord. In the meanwhile live well, being giving and forgiving, being a model for
others. (repeat our vision to reach out to all people with the love of Christ
and to make living growing disciples of Jesus Christ)
• Obviously we’re here today because of the saints
before us and their commitments, and one of the things I want to say today is Honor
them, support them, carry on their work and their vision. Join hands with
George Simmers and Rev. Longenecker through Rev. Truitt. We have commitment to
heritage & family as well as to building.
• Not only that, but commitment to community &
denomination, and of course commitment to God.
• Your “yes” provides meals and fellowship with folks
in Hburg w/o steady resources. Ronald
McDonald House meals for families at HMC.
Your “yes” provides mosquito nets to thousands of
children in Africa.
Your “yes” provides food and school materials (and
school itself!) in Liberia
Your “yes” responds to hurricanes and floods and other
natural disasters.
Independent missionaries around the globe where ppl we
know are feeding teaching preaching and people are coming to know Jesus. Join
hands.
Our Yes is to this local body, yes, and to the world.
The UMC to make disciples of JC for the transformation
of the world.
• Into offering / commitments