Wadhams United Church of Christ
2569 County Route 10, Wadhams, NY 12993
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Sermon by Steve Smith
January 11 , 2009

           Reflections 2008

Last week we spent some time frightening ourselves silly by taking a peek at what the psychics were predicting for the coming year. As you may have noticed, your pastor never seems to have to go very far before lapsing into silliness. Today, I briefly pondered taking us to the edge of terror once again, but decided against the song and dance routine I had planned when I realized that I couldn’t do any of the moves I saw on this week’s episodes of “The Superstars of Dance.” I was particularly intrigued by the dancing Buddhist monks, but humbly had to admit that I was physically incapable of doing a headstand while balancing my entire body either on my head alone or on the strength of my two index fingers.
Instead of thrilling you with my ability to do pirouettes on two fingers while singing ancient Gregorian chants, I had to settle in the end for the standard fare of the second Sunday in January: taking a look back at 2008 while pondering what this year may hold in store for the Wadhams UCC. Given the current economic climate we’re in, that could be terrifying in itself, but today I would much prefer to take a few minutes to reflect on what we have been able to achieve as a small church in a rural setting.
When I arrived on the scene more than four years ago, the church was still reeling from a divisive period that had polarized the congregation, dampened its enthusiasm, and diminished its hope. While we’ve seen some flare-ups from time to time, the atmosphere has cleared up considerably, and I’ve seen a resurgence of enthusiasm and determination that heartens me. I hope you’ve seen it too. A lot of that determination has been focused on the fellowship hall, which is a lot further along toward completion than it was back then.
Just think of where you have come with the fellowship hall in the past ten years: you were able to save an historic building from caving in on itself by putting it up on a new foundation; you insulated and sheetrocked half of the downstairs; you installed a bathroom that was usable at this year’s strawberry festival; you have begun the major project of redoing the rest of the downstairs; a sidewalk was laid and you had a handicapped-accessible ramp built and a new door put in so that we could once again serve as a polling site for the town of Westport; you were able to navigate a confusing maze of coding regulations to make all of that happen; and some solutions are in sight as to how to proceed with the reconstruction of the rest of the downstairs.
I know that while we were agonizing over all of those things, it seemed like nothing was happening and we began to wonder if it ever would. I know that it still seems that way in some regards, as one delay after another seems to rob us of opportunities for progress. But taking this chance to step back and give it all a good look, I just want to tell you how impressed I am at what you have been able to accomplish, given the size of our congregation and our limited resources. Well done, folks!
On some different notes, it only took me about four years worth of effort and a lot of procrastination, but I was finally able to complete my history and theology papers and submit them to the Essex Clergy Association. It was great to celebrate the milestone of receiving full recognition as clergy with full standing in the UCC, and I’m glad you were there with me. Dee and Bob Carroll have invested a significant amount of time to bring our church online, and I’m grateful for their efforts. Thanks in large part to feedback from Judy Moore and some of the rest of you, there has been a shift in the opening of our service, so that we can bring some joys to share with each other. It really has improved the atmosphere of our time together.
We’ve been doing coffee hours for a few years now, and while it doesn’t seem like that much of an effort, it has given us an opportunity to be together and connect with each other. For me, that’s a large part of coming together as a church to forge community with each other. I’m grateful for those times with each other, and something that seems to be happening more often is that people feel free to linger after the service as we catch up with each other. As people in our society seem to become increasingly isolated, I know that I for one treasure the opportunity to linger with each other while we offer support and concern, while we share pictures of new grandchildren, or while we tell the stories of what life is like for us in the midst of ongoing transitions.
It was great to celebrate the christening of the new bathroom with a shower this past spring, and I hope we’ll have more occasions for celebration this year. We certainly have some challenges ahead of us, but my faith tells me that one way or another, God will guide us through. Some of those challenges are structurally related, as we continue to plow through the obstacles and setbacks with the remainder of the work in the fellowship hall. One of them has top priority on our meeting agenda, as we deliberate over what to do with a failing furnace beneath us, and consider what steps need to be taken to keep this kind of thing from happening again in several years.

There are some considerable financial challenges looming, as we look for creative ways to pay for the work that needs doing. More than that, the giving pool that has subsidized our annual operating budget in years past has shrunk to the point where some kind of change is going to be required. On a positive note, we have lined up some special events designed to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of the Champlain Valley. Whatever may come our way, we face the future as a community of hope emboldened by the gracious love that God has lavished upon us.

Order of Service
January 11, 2009

Welcome, Announcements, Joys & Concerns
A Prayer for Peace
Opening Prayer                            
Leader: O Lord, you have always been our home.
People: From everlasting to everlasting, you have been our refuge and our strength.
Leader: O Living God, you are the home we know in Jesus Christ who came to dwell among us.
People: You inhabit the very earth on which we live. With open arms of hospitality you invite us into your presence.
Leader: You heal our wounds, you fill our hearts with love, and you extend our vision to see others who need your welcome.
People: O God of infinite compassion, you are the home we know in the Spirit who guides us, assists our prayers, and fills our souls.
Leader: For traveling with us, for guiding us when we are lost, and for calling us into your holy presence, All:  Thanks be to you, O God, our eternal home.
Hymn NC # 157                                     Brightest and Best
Responsive Prayer
Leader: Eternal God, foundation of heaven and earth, bless us in this new year. Breathe upon us, and fill us with the breath of your Spirit.
People: We are conscious of our mistakes and failures. Forgive us and help us to extend forgiveness to those who hurt us.
Leader: Teach us to walk in your ways and to be ministers of your love and mercy. Fill our hearts with your love and ignite our souls with the flame of your Holy Spirit. 
People: Teach us to pray, to listen, to wait upon your Spirit. Help us to seek your guidance in all things.
Leader: Let our spiritual life become as real to us as is the natural world. Let every day be a time for enjoying our relationship with you.
People: We thank you for all your blessings, especially for those you have bestowed upon this church. We thank you for all we have accomplished this year. (Name Aloud)
Leader: Continue to bless us as a church, dear Lord, that in the weeks and months ahead we may experience a deeper sense of your presence and your leading.
People: Show us how to love each other and our community. Help us to make decisions seeking to do your will and with love and understanding for each other.
Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer
Hymn NC #479                                   God Is My Shepherd
Psalm 29, Genesis1:1-5, Mark 1:4-11
Sermon                           Reflections 2008
Offering, Doxology, Dedication
Hymn NC #493            O Jesus, I Have Promised
Benediction                         
Leader: Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
People: How priceless is your unfailing love! We find refuge and peace in that immense love.
Leader: Go forth rejoicing in God’s great love. Rejoice that our God is our home and refuge in all the times and seasons of our lives.

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