The Diocese of East Tennessee
Sermons

Sept. 15, 2000
Sesquicentennial Celebration
Delivered at St. James, Greeneville

Sermon: "A Time of Celebration and of Call"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

Has it really been only 150 years? It seems like I've known you that long!

Every church family - like every human family, like every individual - has a life history that includes a variety of experiences. Each of us - as individuals, as family members, and as church communities - each of us remembers or knows about times of happiness and joy, periods of sadness and tragedy, occasions of celebration and moments of regret. Such is the nature of life itself … and, likewise, the nature of our histories.

We arrive this evening at a special time for celebration in the life of St. James Church. You are one of the oldest Episcopal churches in this part of the world. While it is tempting to get puffed-up about those kinds of distinctions, I encourage you to resist that temptation. I served a church in North Carolina that was founded in 1729, and so, that community celebrated its 250th anniversary some twenty years ago. However, when I did a clergy exchange in England, the church there was founded prior to 950 - more than 1000 years ago!

I appreciate insights such as that one which call into questions my limited perspective. And I believe that is the point of our Gospel reading this evening. It calls into questions our limited perspective. In fact, though, when I first realized what our reading was for tonight, I was quite surprised. Actually, I checked up on Peggy Blanchard and discovered that she was absolutely correct in identifying that lesson. The Gospel reading for the celebration of the anniversary of a church's founding is indeed the one we just read.

In that reading, there is mention of the festival of the Dedication, but there certainly is not found there any cause for celebration. In fact, Jesus berates his questioners for not recognizing signs that he is the Messiah. Then he proceeds to tell his listeners that they are not his sheep, for they do not recognize his voice nor acknowledge him. At one level, then, this reading hardly seems appropriate for a time and occasion such as this one tonight.

Therefore, we might appropriately ask the question that first occurred to me. Why do we read such words as found in the Gospel at this time of celebration and pride in our history? I suspect that the scholars who arranged our lectionary knew that a different perspective might be valuable for us at times such as this. And that perspective appropriately challenges our pride and requires us to consider true reasons for celebration.

We might imagine that Jesus would ask us certain questions if he were here tonight. Perhaps he would say, "This building is indeed beautiful and has been important through the years. But do you acknowledge me as the Messiah - the Lord of the world and your own personal Savior?" Jesus might then go on, "Are you my sheep? Do you follow me more than any other shepherd in this life - more than ambition, more than wealth, more than anything else? Do you follow me, as my sheep?"

You see, Jesus wants more from us than our being part of a community which has been here for a long time. Jesus calls us to follow him, as his sheep, day by day … to live our lives in conscious awareness of the Lord of life.

In a few moments we will take part in a service of Confirmation. As an apostolic representative, I will confirm the candidates presented to me … candidates who intend to live lives following Jesus as Lord.

But this service not only involves the bishop and those candidates. In fact, we all have the opportunity to renew our Baptismal Covenant. In the words of that Covenant, we identify actions by which we intend to follow Christ. I encourage your special attention to that part of the service tonight. By means of the Baptismal Covenant, we live into our call to follow Jesus and to be sheep of the Good Shepherd.

Therefore, in conclusion this evening, I want to offer congratulations and thanks to the community of St. James for your worship and witness through the years … and for your perseverance. Those are not small accomplishments. However, in addition tonight, I encourage you to answer daily the call of Jesus Christ to follow him. Take seriously the words of the Baptismal Covenant, for in them is found the source of truth and the hope for life - life even beyond 150 years … indeed, the hope for life eternal.

Copyright © 2000 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee