Centennial Sermon

Hebrews 11:1-12:3

 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones. 23 By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. 29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. 32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

            Two things came to life in the Spring of 1912.  The first was designed in 1908 and would take four years to finish.  It cost 7.5 million dollars to build, could carry over 3500 people and was thought to be one of the great wonders of the world.  It was described as indestructible, amazing, a testament to the ingenuity of humanity.  She embarked upon her maiden voyage with great fanfare and 2228 passengers on April 10, 1912.

The second thing that came to life was also designed in 1908 and took four years to build.  The cost was a few hundred dollars and could carry only a few dozen people.  It was described as small, struggling but full of hope and faith.  She embarked upon her maiden voyage with minimal fanfare and 18 passengers on March 13, 2012. 

Had there been odds-makers to take bets on which of these entities would survive the longest no doubt the first would have garnered the most support.  And yet, five days after her departure, 100 years ago this day, the Titanic sank to the bottom of the ocean taking over 1500 people with her.  And what about the other entity?  Look around, 100 years after her founding through God’s grace she is still sailing.

To be sure, we have had our fair share of ice-bergs.  About every fifteen years our little boat has sprung a leak or been swamped by waves.  On several occasions it seemed that her journey was over.  And yet, instead of causing her to sink, as Paul writes, “we rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us.”  (Rom. 5:3) 

In preparation for today I spent a fair amount of time looking back at the history of this little Manitou boat.  It has brought perspective, encouragement and challenge.  100 years is a long time and it’s impossible and undesirable even to ‘summarize’ our story.  However, in looking back I began to notice threads and trends in the story.  Whenever Manitou would get off course or spring a leak, like a point on the horizon or a guiding star, she’d come back to these things and eventually right the course. 

Children

            No doubt you’d all guess the first.  They were the cause of the very first gathering under that crooked fir tree.  Before Manitou was a church, it was a school.  What drew the people together was a deep desire not only for their kids, but also that every child in this little railroad community would know the stories of God that they might more deeply realize the truth; that God loves them. 

            In looking back at the history I was surprised to realize that enrollment in the church school usually doubled and sometimes even tripled that of the membership in the congregation.  Until a couple of decades ago, the church school always had a superintendent and the fact that their report in the minutes often came before that of the pastor tells you how important Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Catton and Mrs. Campbell were to the life of the congregation.

            Just seven years after its founding, the congregation hit its first reef and was near closing due to low participation.  It was at this point in 1919 that Mrs. Ezra Shepherd proclaimed the words that are printed on our front door, “These doors must never close.”  Actually, when I looked back I discovered that her exact words were a bit different.  In full truth she said, “The doors of the church shall never be closed to the children of Manitou as long as I am able to continue to direct the Sunday School.”   Survival is not the sole goal of this church, no our life has a purpose and Mrs. Shepherd clearly states it.  We remain open for the children of Manitou.  Dorothy McPhillips, whose parents were two of the founding members, was one of the children who entered those open doors in those early years returned in 1987 for Manitou’s 75^th anniversary and she said what I hope every child would come not only to say, but also believe.   “No matter what happened to me through the years, I have never doubted that God loved me and cared for me.  I learned that lesson here, in this church.” Manitou has been at her best when she’s kept to this point on the compass.

Circles of ministry

            The second thing I noticed was a little less obvious, yet pervasive.  Even before the church was founded some women got together and formed The Women’s Aid Society.  As the church grew other groups, or as they were often called circles, formed.  There was the New Testament club, the Missionary society, the Philadelphia Literary Society, the Junior Christian Endeavors and the Sr. Christian Endeavors.  Later circles formed around quilting, gardening and improving the neighborhood.  Our ancestors inherently realized what sociologists have later proclaimed, our richest learning, our deepest relationships and most faithful ministry most often happens not in the large time of worship, rather in smaller groups or circles.  This is a point on the compass that I feel we may have veered a bit from, it is my hope that five years from now we might be able to celebrate the formation of several ministry circles.  

Community

            Finally, from her start this church has been about the community; the neighborhood.  Rather than being named after a virtue, a person or a Biblical story, our ancestors chose to be named after our place; Manitou Park.  The beloved Rev. Acheson captured the essence of this commitment in 1929 when the new sanctuary was opened.  “Our church is a community affair, planned to concentrate on the needs of the persons who live here.  We serve the illiterate and the educated, the rich and the poor – if they are members of our community, our aim is to do everything in our power to help them in every way.” 

            Just as corner grocery stores have given way to supermarkets and downtown shops have become shopping malls, the neighborhood church has mostly been replaced by regional churches.  In this sense, Manitou is a bit of a dinosaur.  Over sixty percent of our members live with four miles of the church and a fair amount live close enough to walk.  And even those who don’t live in the neighborhood come knowing embracing that Manitou is our mission field, our playground and where God has called us to live our faith.  Sticking to this place has kept us grounded, focused and also humble. 

Challenges

 There is one other thing I noticed in preparing for today and it has to do with challenges.  Every person as well as organization will face struggles.  The test of a person’s faithfulness is not whether they face struggles but how they face struggles.  At her best, Manitou faced challenges, both positive and negative, not as if they were curses but more as opportunities for God to work in and through us.

When membership flagged in 1919, they reorganized around children and soon had to build a new sanctuary.  In 1932 when there were limited funds they created inexpensive ways to worship and fellowship.  In 1954 when there was not enough space they rallied to build an education wing.  In 1988 when the membership was low they re-committed to the community and youth.  In 2002 when the church almost closed, they created the food and clothing bank as a way to serve and remember that what we do matters.  Manitou, at her best, has welcomed challenges as Jesus did with the faith, hope and love. 

And how about now?  Have we sailed our course?  Have we finished our journey or is there more yet to come?  Ultimately that answer is in the hands of the one who formed us at the start.  But if the author of Hebrews is right, then God has some people advocating for us to live and flourish. 

The way out…Go Manitou

            What is it Hebrews says after telling the stories of faith?  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…”  Have you ever thought of that?  Have you ever considered the thought that we are not just the 53 members, not just the 100 or so who participate in the life of this community, rather we are surrounded by the hundreds who have gone before us; Anna Shumake, Rev. Mixall, Mrs. Shepherd, the Cattons, Rev. Acheson, the Campbells, Grandma Wjzchowski, Alberta Tracy, Dorothy Bolsinger, the Hart brothers, Gail McQuillen, , Kay Trondson, Donna Pietras, Tom Loran and on and on the names of those who surround us go.  And what are they saying?

“…since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…consider him, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Perhaps more than we are on a ship, we, brothers and sisters, are in a race.  If you’ve ever run in a race, then you know the best part is the finish.  That is the place where the crowds line the street and the closer you come to the end the clapping and cheering grows louder and louder, “Come on.  You can do it.  Good job.”  And what, what is our cloud of witnesses saying?  Listen, closely.

Go Manitou, to hear the stories and worship God under the branches of the crooked fir trees

Go Manitou, follow the sounds of the children singing and offer your help

Go Manitou, keep the doors open wide for the children of the community

Go Manitou, love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength

Go Manitou, love your neighbor as yourself

Go Manitou, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Go Manitou, build homes and live in them, plant gardens and eat what they produce, pray for the city to which I have brought you and seek its peace

Go Manitou, give hope to the bruised reeds and smoldering wicks

Go Manitou, create a community so rich, deep and faithful that it is worth sharing

Go Manitou, run with perseverance

Go Manitou, fix our eyes on Jesus

Go Manitou, do not grow weary

Go Manitou, do not lose heart

Go Manitou, and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit

Go Manitou, for lo God is with us, even to the end of the earth