WEBVTT 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:49.919 Hallelujah, Christ is risen. 00:03:52.479 --> 00:03:53.280 Hallelujah. 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:56.159 There is one body and one spirit. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:03:59.439 There is one hope in God that's called to us. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:03.039 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:05.360 One God and Father of all. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:07.199 Let's pray together. 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:10.800 Almighty God, you are open. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.719 All desire is open. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:20.639 And from the cleanse our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:22.800 That we may perfectly love you. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:27.839 And will you magnify your holy name through us our Lord. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:28.720 Amen. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:30.079 The Lord be with you. 00:04:30.319 --> 00:04:31.439 And also with you. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:33.439 Let us pray. 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:45.199 O God, for who our redemption gave your only begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:48.079 Grant us so to die daily to sin. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:58.959 That we evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:00.079 Amen. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:01.680 Please be seated. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:02.800 What? 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:05.680 Being seated, our children are invited to children's church. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:06.800 And the back of Mr. 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:07.360 Alex. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:27.279 Peter began to speak to the Gentiles. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:31.519 I truly understand that God shows no partiality. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.920 But in every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.079 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel. 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:44.800 Preaching peace by Jesus Christ. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:06:00.560 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:06.800 How he went about doing good and healing for all who were oppressed by the devil. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:08.720 For God was with him. 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:14.399 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:18.480 They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:23.279 But God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:28.879 Not to all people, but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses. 00:06:29.600 --> 00:06:33.839 And who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:45.199 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 00:06:45.920 --> 00:06:55.600 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:01.360 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:34.799 God's mercy endures forever. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:40.480 Let Israel now proclaim, God's mercy endures forever. 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:44.080 The Lord is my strength and my song. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.120 And has become my salvation. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:53.039 There is a sound of exaltation and victory in the chance of the righteous. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:56.159 The right hand of the Lord has triumphed. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:59.360 The right hand of the Lord is exalted. 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:02.159 The right hand of the Lord has triumphed. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.120 I shall not die but live. 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:08.000 And declare the works of the Lord. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:10.799 The Lord has punished me sorely. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:14.559 But God did not hand me over to death. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:18.080 Open for me the gates of righteousness. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.919 I will enter them. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:22.559 I will offer thanks to the Lord. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:25.039 This is the gate of the Lord. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:31.840 Whoever I enter, I will give thanks to you for you answered me. 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.559 And I become my salvation. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:40.639 The same stone which the builders rejected has become the deep for stone. 00:10:41.279 --> 00:10:43.440 This is the Lord's doing. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:49.600 On this day the Lord has acted. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:36.240 Seated at the right hand of God. 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:41.200 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:45.360 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:52.320 When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:55.840 Hear what the Spirit is saying to God's people. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:16:05.039 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:16.080 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they had laid him. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:19.840 And Peter and the other disciple sat out and went toward the tomb. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:24.799 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:30.639 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings laying there, but he did not go in. 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:34.559 Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:42.879 He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying on the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:48.799 Then the other disciple who reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.919 For as yet they did not understand the scripture. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:57.120 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:00.879 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:04.640 As she went, she bent over to look into the tomb. 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:12.240 And she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other with the feet. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.839 They said to her, What? 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.400 Why are you weeping? 00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:23.119 She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid it. 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:28.880 When she said this, she turned around and found Jesus standing there. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.400 Jesus said to her, What? 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:36.079 Why are you weeping? 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.759 Who are you looking for? 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:48.720 Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.440 Jesus said to her, Mary. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:56.079 She turned and said to him in Hebrew, Rabuni, which means teacher. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:07.839 Jesus said to her, Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father, but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:12.640 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord. 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:16.079 And she told them that he had said these things to her. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.880 Please be seated. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:19:01.200 I am grateful to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with you today. 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:06.319 And I want to start out by suggesting this is not a new story. 00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:14.400 There are some good bits about that because I think the story invites us to do things, frankly, that we're loath to do. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:20.880 Good news, we'll get to hear it again next year and be inclined again to pattern our lives about the story. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:28.400 I think sometimes we come to Easter, we come to Christmas, and we think, how neat that that happened long ago. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:32.960 And we forget to put ourselves in this story. 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.799 So the story begins. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.160 It begins with a woman. 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:49.359 The first witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a woman. 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:56.480 The first evangelist to the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a woman. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:20:03.119 The first person to touch the risen Lord was a woman. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:13.359 Now I don't know why it took us 1976 years before we figured out that women not only can be but ought to be ordained to the priesthood. 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.200 Thank God we did. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:21.279 That's the kind of view I think we have before us in this story. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:31.119 You see, there's a difference between tradition, which is the living faith of the saints, and traditionalism, which is peer pressure from dead people. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:42.640 We are invited each year to put traditionalism in the tomb, leave it there and seal it shut and walk away. 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:49.759 This is a woman, Mary, who knew Jesus. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:21:00.720 She saw him, she ate him, and I hope you realize when the resurrected Jesus stands in front of her, she doesn't recognize him. 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:07.599 In fact, he thinks he's the hired health. 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.839 The gardener. 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:13.839 Now I've got gardeners that come to my home with a great deal. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:20.400 I think I spend$100 a month and they mow and they wee and they blow off when they're done. 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:36.480 This is why we come back to the story because if you see there's a word for that, it's called thing. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:48.960 Sometimes I go shopping and I worship my own productivity more than I give witness to the risen price to the cashier. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:54.480 Sometimes I'm on my phone when I go to complete a transaction. 00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:59.359 The person behind the register you see is the hired helper. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.440 That's what we call sin. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:06.319 The person behind the register is the resurrected Jesus. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:10.240 We usually make the wrong mistake. 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.880 The hired help. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:18.720 Instead of sharing with Mary and the good news. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:24.480 The resurrected Jesus is precisely found in the people who clean up after us. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:32.559 So once upon a time I was in a seminary class, pastoral theology, the professor was pretty hard-nosed. 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.680 I studied. 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:39.680 For that final exam, it had one question. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:43.599 What's the name of the woman who cleans the building? 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:48.240 Many of us didn't do well. 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:55.119 This is why we'll be back here next year. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:23:03.839 This is why we'll be back here next year, because many of us don't know that person's name. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.920 There's another great part of this story. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:09.680 It's April, right? 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:14.960 The messengers from God are wearing white before Memorial Day. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:17.119 What kind of crazy people are those? 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:21.279 Let me tell you some good news. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:27.519 God's messengers don't have to, uh they don't have to obey our own dress coat. 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:33.920 They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and colors, including yours. 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:37.440 Angel in Greek means messenger. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:39.839 It doesn't mean wings and halo. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:44.319 It means somebody who tells a message worth listening to. 00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:06.880 Hear the good news from people who wear white before Memorial Day. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:14.480 Hear the good news from people who do things like smoke or vote libertarian. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:20.640 That's why we'll be back next year. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:23.839 Because if you're like me, you're not going to do it there for me. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:28.480 Now Mary's the most courageous of the disciples. 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.279 This is the case. 00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:31.359 She shows up when everybody else flees. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:36.799 The men are afraid of their own necks, and Mary actually not only comes, she sticks around. 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:41.440 And in Mary's story, there's really something interesting, isn't there? 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:50.640 Not only has she mistaken the resurrected Jesus from the hired help, she's scared to death that the Jesus she knew has been taken from her. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.680 Where have you put him? 00:24:57.680 --> 00:25:10.319 She is desperately clinging to the Jesus she knew, but I'd like you to consider that the Jesus she is clinging to is the dead one. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:14.000 Not the risen one. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:25.680 And if I'm honest, the number one reason people are not interested in church is because churches hold on to the dead one. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:30.559 We're too afraid to follow the risen Christ. 00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:38.400 We'd rather take it the way we had it than dare to leave the tomb. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.480 What am I talking about? 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.799 Lots of things. 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:45.279 A few in my mind this week. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.440 Sorry, choir, you've already heard this. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:54.960 I'm going to tell you one story about the dead Christ that we love holding on to, particularly the church that raised me. 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:58.880 I hope to God most of you have never seen this. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.920 It's a million-dollar bill. 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:07.039 You're correct in thinking that's not official U.S. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.680 currency. 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.559 It's not. 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.559 Let me tell you about the million-dollar bill. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:18.480 I used to wait tables at a cracker barrel in Gaffney, South Carolina, and the arguably the worst day of the year was Easter. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:23.759 Here are some of my PTSD memories from Easter. 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:30.559 Keep in mind, I had foregone going to services so I could wait on people. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:34.559 Here are some of the lines that still haunt me when I have nightmares. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:40.160 We'd like to give you a tip, but we gave all our money to the church. 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.640 Don't eat out. 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:54.079 But you know what's even worse than that is the million-dollar bill with nothing else. 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:59.359 Let me read to you from the back of the million-dollar bill. 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.799 The million-dollar question. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:05.519 Will you go to heaven when you die? 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:10.640 Have you lied, stolen, used God's name in vain, or lusted? 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.319 It gets worse. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:27.200 If so, God sees you as a liar, thief, blasphemer, and adulterer at heart. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:31.680 If you die in your sins, you'll end up in a terrible place called hell. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:33.839 It goes on to say, listen, here's good news. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:39.680 God pretty much hates you, but um, hey, God will tolerate you in the end. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:44.960 The million-dollar bill is the dead Jesus. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:50.160 And it belongs in the tomb, and that tomb should be sealed. 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:54.400 I met the million-dollar bill again last week. 00:27:54.640 --> 00:28:00.799 I was at a fundraiser for an Episcopal relief organization called Half Shears Will Travel. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:09.519 They give haircuts to homeless men and women and to families all over the city who have to choose between a meal and a haircut, and you know what they're going to pick. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:12.480 There were ten of us that went. 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:16.960 It was period costume, 1950s, dressy casual. 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:20.400 Four of us were pink ladies. 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.960 Polka dots, headscarf. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.880 I mean, she really looked at the part. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:33.440 And I dressed like the guy that uh you wouldn't want coming home for your dog. 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.839 Because I didn't have to buy anything. 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:44.559 So I put in my Converse and my jeans and my white t-shirt, and I borrowed some cigarettes and I rolled them up in my pocket and I put one behind my ear. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:51.440 I was arguably the worst dressed person at that day, but we got name tags. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:54.000 Mine said the Reverend Mike Stone. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:29:00.000 Now, everything went fine. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.200 It was a great event. 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:05.279 And then we got in the checkout line, all ten of us as a group talking. 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:08.960 There are 50 people in line waiting to pay for what they won at the auction. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:15.920 I don't want to sound overly harsh because this isn't about the person, it's frankly about the practice. 00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.640 Somebody saw me. 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.960 I don't know what they were thinking. 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:22.880 They walked right toward me. 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:25.599 They said, Here, I've got a gift for you. 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:28.400 And they kept on walking. 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:33.039 I knew what it was before I looked at it. 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:36.720 Now I'm actually grateful I didn't say anything to the guy. 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:44.720 Let me tell you about the dead Jesus. 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:52.480 That man cared so much for my eternal destination, he couldn't be bothered to learn my name. 00:29:53.039 --> 00:30:03.440 That man cared so much about my soul, he'd even stick around to answer my questions when I read the most damning piece of currency I've ever seen in my life. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:06.720 I don't question his intent. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:09.759 I question our impact. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:15.519 Is this good news? 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:22.480 My children sometimes tell lies, but they're not liars. 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.799 They sometimes tell lies. 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.400 I do too. 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:30.880 If I know the difference, don't you think God knows the difference? 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:36.160 So why do we pass out literature from a tomb? 00:30:38.640 --> 00:30:45.119 Let me tell you how God sees you with every bit of faith I have as a priest. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:49.680 God sees you as a beautiful child of a family of God. 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:53.279 Let me tell you about God's standards. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:56.079 They're really low. 00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:04.079 They're so low, there's nothing you can do to make God love you any less. 00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:09.839 And there is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore. 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:14.079 Jewels in our heavenly crown, that's why I do good stuff. 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:16.720 Put that in the tomb and seal the door. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:23.039 We do what's right because it's joyful, not for some reward we're trying to rack up after we die. 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:28.720 We're gonna tell the story again next year because I'm gonna get it wrong, and so are you. 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:39.119 God willing, though, we'll leave some more dead stuff from our faith in the tomb between now and then. 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.319 God willing. 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:50.960 Sometimes we come into these places with two minds. 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:55.279 You ever heard God helps those who help themselves? 00:31:56.799 --> 00:32:00.640 You ever heard with great power comes great responsibility? 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:06.799 You ever heard to whom much is given, much is required? 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:12.000 Let me tell you what God requires. 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.279 Do justly. 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:16.960 Love mercy, walk humbly with God. 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:21.599 All that other stuff about you being enough for God, put it in the tomb. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:24.319 You may not feel like you're enough. 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:28.160 Sometimes I have strong feelings that aren't true. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:32.240 Admit to the feelings, but here's the truth. 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:36.720 Whether you like it or not, you're enough because God says so. 00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.240 God says so. 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:46.640 Sometimes we think, uh, God's given me so much. 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:50.799 If I don't do enough, God will be disappointed. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:53.279 Wisdom from my father. 00:32:54.480 --> 00:33:01.519 The minute you think you're different from everybody else is the minute you're just like everybody else. 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:12.640 My father, who was drafted to Vietnam against his will, came back and said, a communist is a man trying to feed his children. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:18.160 Does that make it harder to live with atrocities of war? 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:19.680 Damn right it does. 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:22.640 And is that the good news of Jesus Christ? 00:33:23.119 --> 00:33:24.319 Yes, it is. 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:31.279 A communist is a person, a human being, trying to take care of their family. 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:38.079 We don't forego our dignity when we operate in ignorance. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.839 We don't. 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:48.880 Or at least better news than this. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:54.960 Now we got to hear this portion from Acts this morning. 00:33:55.920 --> 00:34:00.079 Talks about God showing no partiality to anybody, and it's a great speech. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:05.839 If you continue reading the book, turns out three or four chapters later, Peter goes back on his own work. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:09.519 That's why we'll tell the story again next year. 00:34:10.159 --> 00:34:13.599 I want to talk about another thing that needs to go in the tomb. 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:20.960 Maybe you've seen this bumper sticker that takes religious iconography and spills out the word coexist. 00:34:21.199 --> 00:34:22.880 You've seen it before. 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:25.679 It's kind of a lovely sentiment. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:29.679 It's just only partially correct. 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:35.440 Coexistence sounds a lot like tolerance to me. 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:39.840 Tolerance means I'll put up with you even though we both know you're wrong. 00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:48.639 If I were creative enough, I'd like a bumper sticker that says respect. 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:53.360 Tolerance can go in the tomb, friends. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:56.000 The Lord doesn't need it from you this year. 00:34:56.639 --> 00:35:02.320 God invites us to come out of those tombs and practice respect. 00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:11.119 For our Jewish brothers and sisters, for people who choose to vote well in ways we don't. 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.639 For Lutherans. 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:20.400 You fill in the blank. 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:23.199 Make it as ridiculous as possible. 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:33.039 And pray for them until you leave tolerance behind and embrace them with respect. 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:38.000 Now we're going to do something really lovely in just a minute. 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:42.000 We have at least three people who would like to be baptized. 00:35:42.079 --> 00:35:46.800 And look, this is a holy mystery, but here's what I tell our kids at our day school. 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:52.800 Ordinary water, we use that to hydrate, to be refreshed. 00:35:52.960 --> 00:35:59.039 We use it for growth, and of course, we use it to wash away things we don't need to carry around. 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:01.039 So this is what we ask God to do. 00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:06.400 Take this regular old water and do something extraordinary with it. 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:14.079 Refresh and nourish and grow those parts of ourselves that are not always visible to our eye. 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:21.920 We call those parts faith, emotion, thoughts, virtue, not always visible, but very real. 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:29.280 God take this ordinary water and don't just wash away the things we've done wrong. 00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:32.320 Wash away our anxieties. 00:36:33.840 --> 00:36:36.079 Wash away our regret. 00:36:36.719 --> 00:36:41.920 So we can lay that down, which means we can carry more life than we're used to. 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:46.000 Unencumbered, we can carry more than we're used to. 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:47.920 This is what we're going to do. 00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:55.039 Really easy to be impartial to a baby. 00:36:56.480 --> 00:37:03.119 It's a product of our human evolution that we naturally care for babies, unless you're a sociopath. 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:11.199 When a baby cries, we don't say, you better quit your crying. 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:15.440 You change your diaper, you nasty baby. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:18.880 Why are you always asking for help? 00:37:19.119 --> 00:37:21.360 Why don't you do something for me? 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:23.679 We don't do that. 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:26.000 We know that's nuts. 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:32.239 The Episcopal Church does not believe in original sin. 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:37.760 We don't believe there's anything inherently wrong with any child of God. 00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:41.599 But here's where I find that word has traction. 00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:51.280 At what point in our lives do we stop extending affirmation and generosity to our brothers and sisters in Christ? 00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.320 Ah. 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:55.119 By the time you're 10, you should know better. 00:37:55.280 --> 00:37:57.760 But what if you don't know better? 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:02.639 By the time you're 30, surely you ought to know. 00:38:02.719 --> 00:38:08.159 But what if your brother and sister just doesn't know? 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:12.239 Or what if they do know? 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:19.679 Just like you and I often know what we ought to do to live more joyful lives. 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:23.840 And it isn't that we won't do it, it's that sometimes we can't. 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:32.239 When did we decide that you are too old or too knowledgeable to be loved by God? 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:36.159 That's original sin. 00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:39.360 Leave it in the tomb. 00:38:40.320 --> 00:38:44.800 Maybe the person at work that's driving you crazy just needs to be burnt. 00:38:47.760 --> 00:38:49.920 Maybe they can do it themselves. 00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:51.199 Don't make them. 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:57.280 If you see a way you can give life to somebody, don't shame them. 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:01.280 Give them some good news. 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:05.599 You can take care of this yourself, but I'd like to give it to you. 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:14.239 Wouldn't the world be brighter if we tried it even just once this year? 00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:19.519 So you're going to see three beautiful children of God in whom there is nothing lacking. 00:39:19.679 --> 00:39:24.400 They range from age under one to age over ten. 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:28.079 Nothing wrong with a single one of them. 00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:31.039 Nothing wrong with you either. 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:33.519 We're going to say a covenant together. 00:39:33.679 --> 00:39:40.320 I don't know you kids, but if you ever ask me, and if I ever see you in need, I won't shame you. 00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:42.159 I'll step up and I'll help you. 00:39:42.400 --> 00:39:43.920 We do it when it's easy. 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:45.599 It's easy for kids. 00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:52.320 Take the practice out, follow the risen Christ, and do it when it's really hard. 00:39:53.280 --> 00:39:55.679 Now I'm going to invite our families up. 00:39:58.000 --> 00:40:02.960 Parents, grandparents, godparents, please come on back. 00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:09.840 If you're in the larger group of family, if you're a kid, if you want a front row view, you come right up to the rail. 00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:12.159 There's plenty of room up here in the chancel. 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:15.440 You might be 75, you've never been up here before. 00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:16.400 Come on. 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:21.360 You might be saying, hey, I didn't know it was a baptism day. 00:40:21.440 --> 00:40:22.800 I'd like to get baptized. 00:40:22.880 --> 00:40:23.760 Come on. 00:40:24.719 --> 00:40:27.199 I'll print you a certificate later. 00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:07.039 Parents, godparents, friends of the family. 00:41:07.440 --> 00:41:14.320 I'm going to ask you all to say this line in your bulletin who we're presenting for the sacrament of baptism. 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:18.800 The candidates of holy baptism will now be presented. 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:26.800 I present Evelyn Joy Hillis and Aidan Theodore Hillis to receive the sacrament of baptism. 00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:31.519 And I'm going to ask you to present E.J. 00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:32.880 present. 00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:40.320 E.J., would you like to be baptized? 00:41:40.639 --> 00:41:40.960 Yes. 00:41:41.760 --> 00:41:42.079 Okay. 00:41:42.719 --> 00:41:52.880 This is for everybody up here, but you know, even if you don't know these people, it's all right to join in saying we're going to take care of these little ones in the Lord. 00:41:53.280 --> 00:42:00.559 Will you be responsible for seeing that these children that you present are brought up in the Christian faith and life? 00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:09.199 Will you, by your prayers and witness, help these children to grow into the full stature of Christ? 00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:13.440 Don't get hung up on the language. 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:19.840 Hear that there are forces in the work in the world that strip the children of God from dignity. 00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:25.920 So do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God? 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:32.719 Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? 00:42:34.159 --> 00:42:38.239 Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God? 00:42:38.639 --> 00:42:39.679 I renounce them. 00:42:40.079 --> 00:42:43.199 Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior? 00:42:43.920 --> 00:42:44.559 I do. 00:42:45.199 --> 00:42:50.079 Will you, with God's help, put your whole trust in God's grace and love? 00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:51.519 I do. 00:42:51.920 --> 00:42:56.639 Do you promise to follow and obey him to your ability as your Lord? 00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:57.440 I do. 00:42:57.760 --> 00:42:59.440 This is for everybody here. 00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:07.280 Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Evelyn, Aiden, and EJ in their life with Christ? 00:43:08.880 --> 00:43:17.039 I'm going to invite you to stand as you're able and let us join with these who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant. 00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:19.840 Do you believe in God the Father? 00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:22.159 I believe in God the Father. 00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:27.920 Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? 00:43:28.159 --> 00:43:30.079 I believe in Jesus Christ. 00:43:55.760 --> 00:43:58.079 Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? 00:43:58.320 --> 00:43:59.760 I believe in the Holy Spirit. 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:09.679 The Holy Catholic Church, for the communion of saints, for the forgiveness of sins, for the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. 00:44:10.000 --> 00:44:15.280 Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers? 00:44:15.599 --> 00:44:17.119 I will with myself. 00:44:17.440 --> 00:44:19.599 Will you persevere in resisting evil? 00:44:19.760 --> 00:44:23.199 And whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord. 00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:25.039 I will with thyself. 00:44:25.360 --> 00:44:30.079 Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ? 00:44:30.400 --> 00:44:32.000 I will without self. 00:44:32.239 --> 00:44:37.280 Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? 00:44:37.599 --> 00:44:39.199 I will without self. 00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:43.039 Will you strive for justice and peace among all people? 00:44:43.360 --> 00:44:46.159 And respect the dignity of every human being. 00:44:46.559 --> 00:44:48.159 I will without self. 00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:54.800 So now let us pray for Evelyn, for Aiden, for E.J., who are to receive the sacrament of new birth. 00:44:56.239 --> 00:44:58.079 Sometimes change is painful. 00:44:58.159 --> 00:45:03.599 We get deliver them, O Lord, from the ways of sin and death. 00:45:03.920 --> 00:45:05.280 Lord, hear our prayer. 00:45:05.679 --> 00:45:07.920 Open their hearts to your grace and truth. 00:45:10.079 --> 00:45:13.119 Fill them with your holy and life-giving spirit. 00:45:13.440 --> 00:45:14.800 Lord, hear our prayers. 00:45:15.039 --> 00:45:18.320