Can I Get A "Yes"?

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 2^nd 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