Rochester, MN UCC - "Called by Jesus" - John 10:22-30
"How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." This question is put to Jesus in the gospel of John by people who are unsure about the confession of Peter and the church that Jesus is indeed the Messiah of God. Jesus responds somewhat dismissively saying, “"I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me, but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” Seemingly tired of the never-ending debate, Jesus says that those who hear his voice and follow him are his sheep- he knows them, he gives them eternal life, and no one will snatch them out of his hand.
Ten years ago, after a long period of discernment our congregation entered into a covenant with God and one another whereby we proclaimed our conviction that God calls LGBTQ people into the Church of Jesus Christ, that God calls us to welcome and affirm their full participation in the life and ministry of our congregation, and that we would do our best to do so with the help of the Holy Spirit. In the intervening years, LGBTQ persons have heard God’s call and sought out our congregation in response to it. They have confessed their faith that Jesus is the Messiah and declared their intent to follow him. These people, their faith, and their Christian lives have enriched our congregation and its ministry and we are deeply thankful to God for their membership in the church.
In many parts of the church there remains a great deal of questioning and debate about the role of LGBTQ persons. For us this debate has ended. The question has been answered decisively. LGBTQ people have heard the voice of Jesus and responded to it. In the faithful love they share with their partners, in their service to the poor, the hungry, and the stranger, and in their genuine faith and worship of God they have distinguished themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. This Sunday we are celebrating ten years of life together as an Open and Affirming congregation. Together we will renew our open and affirming covenant before God and one another. Join us as we celebrate God leading us to proclaim the truth of Jesus' love for LGBTQ people ten years ago and recommit ourselves to proclaiming this truth to a world that so often denies it.
Pastor Andrew Greenhaw