Global Praise
2 Samuel 5: 1-5, 9-10   Mark 6: 1-13
A Communion Meditation by the Reverend Odette Lockwood-Stewart
(podcast has testimonies of Molly Brostrom, Todd Schafer, Christina Kellogg and Pam Liew www.epworthberkeley.org <http://www.epworthberkeley.org/> )

It is our practice at Epworth to send forth members of this community as they embark on a long journey, as they move other places– we send them with our love and prayers, and as we send them forth we too are commissioned, sent out-- to love God, to learn, to serve others....throughout the world that God so loves.

*One year ago,  we sent forth the Brostrom Schafers to Rwanda (aka Kigali 5);

* A few weeks ago, we sent forth Epworth’s Nicaragua Team to Nueva Guinea;

* Years ago we sent forth the Pipers to Nairobi, Kenya;

*months ago – Wenger/Rhude family to Chiapas, the Liews – to an adventure in New Zealand; several college students to university;

*When they return to this place – for a visit – or to stay—how do we learn from their journeys of body, mind and soul?

Every week, we are all called, gathered, and sent forth into our daily lives and God’s world.

The movement of Jesus followers began with people being called and then gathered and then sent out.  The word “apostle,” means one who is sent away, or sent as a messenger. The word “disciple” means learner, follower or student.  Jesus called the twelve disciples and began to send them out as apostles.

At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus went to Nazareth, to the place where he grew up, and he was met with some serious hometown attitude.  Word of his teaching and healing had reached Nazareth, but his fellow villagers just saw Mary’s kid, the woodworker.  They were astounded and offended by him, “who does he think he is?”

Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth – set the context in which he sent forth his disciples.  They had their own mixed expectations AND they were aware of the mixed reception even Jesus had received.

Jesus prepared his disciples for rejection. And he called them to be faithful.   

Jesus taught his disciples to depend on God’s grace and to rely the hospitality of others.  

We are not called to be well-liked or always acceptable. We are called to be faithful. No guarantees.. The journey is long. Take a friend.  And travel light.

What sustains us as we are sent out and as we return?  What makes it possible for us to survive and thrive amidst the inevitable mixed expectations, reactions, rejections and brokenness of human being?

I now Ask:  In the experiences you have had,

1.     What calls you, draws you to praise God?

2.     What has challenged or changed you?

This summer – learning new hymns of praise four continents:  Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe.

Rumi, the great mystic poet of Islam, wrote these words in the 13th century:

Water and clay, when fed on the breath of Jesus,
Spread wings, became a bird and flew.
Your praise of God is a breath
From your body of water and clay.
Make it a bird of paradise.   (Matthnawi I, 866-867)

We come to Christ’s table this morning as people who are called, gathered and sent, as people who did not create the grain of the earth, nor the fruit on the tree, nor even our own lives.  We come as people who are welcome and rejected, who are faithful and fallen, to offer praise that rises even from our most broken places and gives us strength and joy for the journey.  Amen.