"And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart".

Transcription

1 1100N 'T WEARY IN WELL-OOING" TEXT: "And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart". (Galatians 6: 9) INTRODUCTION In the small dressing room off-stage there was a large placard next to the door which read as follows: "Don't cut your act1 The people in this audience have paid good money to see your show, and the management expects you to give them the best you've got." Uoon reading those words, I wandered why the manager had printed that sign and had it placed there near the stage, and my curiosity set me off on an imaginary excursion with a theatrical company. It went something like this. The members of the troupe, I surmised, had been glad to join the organization. They had studied their parts well. They had rehearsed faithfully for days on end. The time arrived when they were to take the show "on the road". Every evening they performed with greater ease picking up their cues better and better ~th the result that the show got better and better. Finally, opening night. Good reviews. In the weeks that followed, capacity audiences filled the theater. H But then after a couple of months, it got to be something of an old story. It began to drag. For one thing, the actors knew their parts so well that they could carry on without much in the way of effort. Rehearsals were virtually abandoned. Slowly, but surely a kind of blight settled over what had been only a few months earlier a very spirited, moving moment in the theater. Members of the audience were seen making for the exit before the performance was over and some were heard to say as they walked out on to the sidewalk, 1 '\fuat a waste of time over-rated dull, boring what happened in there?" Now, all of this was just imaginary in my mind. and in most instances is not, but it can happen. This need not be the case DEVELOPMENT What we're talking about here can happen - not only in the theater, but in most areas of life. It's the sort of thing that can happen in our own lives, in our jobs, in churches as well as in theaters. It happens when people allow what they do to become routine and monotonous. And there is that sense in which a theater serves as a miniature model of the human scene. "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players", said Shakespeare. Enthusiasm is always greater at the beginning and tends to diminish the longer we stay at something. It's true in the ministry. It's true in medicine. I imagine that teachers find it to be true, although teachers are often protected against those subtle penalties of getting tired and bored with their jobs because they're closely "checked up" on by their principals. Doctors and lawyers and ministers usually don't have principals and headmasters checking up on them. And it might be a good thing if they did.

2 - 2 - For the majority of workers in the world - whether in a business or a profess~on - there are not periodic check-ups and examinations once they're safely launched. They go on their own gait, after the period of training is over. And, if they slump along the way, they do this gradually that they hardly realize this themselves, untl"l failure or dismissal or rebuke stirs them to the awareness they've slumped WHAT'S NEEDED Now, I believe that if this problem of slumping is to be solved, it will have to be taken under consideration by persons whose enthusiasm is still keen, ~ose inquisitiveness about the world is still unabated, whose inner life is saturated with the belief that what they're doing is important. And this is not a matter of age. I know of some people in their seventies and in their eighties who are in less danger of slipping than many in their twenties and thirties. One of my heroes is a woman who saw her 90th birthday some time back and who continues to walk through life with zest and enthusiasm, lifting the level of life wherever she. goes. She continues to lead a challenging, productive life, helping others arrund difficult corners. Her mind is active, her spirit is positive. She shared with me s anething that happened to her recently here in the neighborhood which I think is worth passing on. MY friend was an the York Avenue bus, sitting up front behind the driver. It seems another elderly person got on and looked over in the direction of my friend and with a rather snappish voice, said, "Don't you know these seats are reserved for Senior CitizensM. With that ~friend who's up there in years, got up and moved to another part of the bus. Isn't that beautifull We need to be on the alert for the arrival of that time when if you're a typist - for instance -you just don't go to the bother of erasing that accidental "N" that you struck when you meant to strike an "M", but content yourself with going back and whacking an "M" vigorously ~n top of the "N", thinking to yourself, "Aw what the heck nobody 1 s ~oing to notice it". It's certainly not a major crime. You're not going to have a meter maid come along and put a ticket on you, but, mind you - it's a sign a bad sign. It's a sign that you're no longer an the way up, having demonstrated those early symptoms of carelessness, fatigue and indifference. You may be saying to yourself, 11 0ops I'm still in ~twenties or ~ thirties, and I'm already doing that. You can start your toboggan ride to nowhere in your twenties and if you aren't careful, you can arrive there by paydcv. So, part of the message today is to say to you - whoever you are - be on the alert for the arrival of that time when you no longer care, when you're on the verge of slumping. Let the words of Paul nourish your thought and stimulate you. One act certainly has not established a habit, but if this attitude of apatqy- should became a fixiation, then you might just as well face it: you've gone about as far toward that longed-for promotion as you're likely to go. The rest of the trip will find you "hanging on" to your job, perhaps in jeopardy of losing it. BUT BACK TO PAUL'S WORD But back to Paul's word. When a minister has a keynote message in his bones, a Sunday like this is surely the time to turn it loose. Summer's over. A new season beckons. Anticipation runs

3 - 3 - high. The words of St. Paul that launched this message are words I've been carrying around with me for several weeks, wanting to put them before you. "And let us not grow weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. It's strange, how a verse of Scripture gets in to your bloodstream, into your thoughts like a melody that you find yourself humming over again. There were a~;ltimes when I was there in Maine... out on the golf course... walking. thinking reflecting on our life together here in the Church wondering what word I would bring to you on my 1st Sunday back. Again an~ again it was the word from St. Paul to the Galatians that kept creeping back into my mind. I believe this is the word we need to heart.not only in our lives, but also in the Church as well. It's as though Paul were saying to us this morning, Yes watch out for that critical time when life ceases to stir you when you really don't care to care whether you show up or not to make new friends no effort to hold to the friendships you think you're sure of " I believe Paul would say to us in this Church, "You've done well so far this year don't grow wrary in your well-doing. You can do even better. Let s take hold cnce again. Cling to that vision. Let those memories of past days stir you. Let thooe dreams you have for this Church move you to even greater heights of service in the Master's Name. What a Churchl What a congregation 1 What peoplel What talents and gifts come together here. And what opportunities have been given to us all in this place and time to declare His Way through our deeds and words. The miracle of our worship on a Sunday moves and motivates many, it cuts and challenges and changes. You help to make it happen - through your prayers, presence, gifts, service. It was on a Sunday morning such as this tw years ago this September that a young woman came in here, worshipped with us, drew strength and departed. She felt something happening here and wrote a note to express it. She said sanething that I treasure and remember and which sums it all up so beautifully. WWhen I walk out of here I feel like I'm a winnera" Jesus Christ makes us feel like winners. This is the miracle we help to shape and build. "And let us not grow weary in the well-doing" of it A friend set my attention to some lines in Dear Abby's column of Tuesday evening (or was it Wedresday not important). Entitled Scenario for a Winner, you may have caught it and also clipped it. Winners and losers what's the difference. According to these lines, it is: "A winner says, 'Let's find out'. A lose says 'nobody knows. A winner says, 'I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be'. A.i.Use~ says, 'I'm not as bad as a lot of other people. A winner listens. A loser just waits until it's his turn to to talk.l

4 - 4 - A winner res}pcts those who are superior to him and tries to learn from them. A lose :rresents the superiority of others and tries to find chinks in their armor. A winner does more than his job. A loser says 'I on]y work here'. A winner says, 'I fell'. A loser says, 'somebody pushed me'. A winner makes commitments. A loser makes promises'. (there is a difference~) COMMITMrnT TIME 11 A winner makes commitments. A lose makes promises". To be winners in the work we are engaged in, we need to have commitments made to Jesus Christ. And this is the time, the season for a renewal of that commitment. Public and private commitments. Of all the uplifting idealisms that have helped to sustain the courage and enthusiasm of people on this earth, there is none better than the way of Jesus. His style of living is an insurb.!lce against slumping, against what the Bible calls "weariness in well-doing". For long ago He rel"linded us that this Universe which is our home is solvent, that it's trustworthy, that it constantly registers on our side. I think you cwld say that the management of the universe even puts up His evaluation of human existence reminds us that our lives are precious and that there 1 s meaning behind it all. The universe will never let ua down. And if you accept it and accept Him as a longterm proposition for your life, backed by a motive dynamic enough to preserve its integrity in all of your dealings, you will not grow "weary in well-doing". In Him and in His Way, you will find that keenness of expectancy that we all need, that joy of enthusias~ that keeps us at it and will inherit what Jesus long ago described to His own followers, "The Abundant Life". I hope and pray that all who come within the walls of this church in days ahead - worship with us and share in fellowship - will derart, feeling "like winners". And that dear friends, really is What it's all abouta PRAYER Lord, we remember now the word of our Lord, Jesus Christ. "I am come that they might have life and have it abundantly". Lord, we know it is ours for the asking, that we only have to receive it to build on it to make it ours. For then we shall never grow weary in well-doing. In His spirit, we pray. Amen with our 11 overdrafts 11 for which there is forgiveness and healing. There may be some present tod~ who need to hear that word, too

5 11DON 1.T WEARY IN WELL-DOING" I TEXT: nand let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart». (Galatians 6: 9) INTRODUCTION In the small dressing room off-stage there was a large placard next to the door which read as follows: "Don t t cut your actl The people in this audience have paid good money to see your show, and the management expects you to give them the best you've got." Upon reading those words, I wandered why the manager had printed that sign and had it placed there near the stage, and my curiosity set me off on an imaginary excursion with a theatrical company. It went something like this. The members of the troupe, I surmised, had been glad to join the organization. They had studied their parts well. They had rehearsed faithfully for days on end. The time arrived when they were to take the show "on the road 11 Every evening they performed with greater ease picking up their cues better and better, with the result that the show got better and better. Finally, opening night. Good reviews. In the weeks that followed, capacity audiences filled the theater. Hj But then after a couple of months, it got to be scmething of an old story. It began to drag. For one thing, the actors knew their parts so well that they could carry on without much in the way of effort. Rehearsals were virtually abandoned. Slowly, but surely a kind of blight settled over what had been only a few months earlier a very spirited, moving moment in the theater. Members of the audience were seen making for the exit before the performance was over and some were heard to say as they walked out on to the sidewalk, 11 'What a waste of time over-rated dull, boring what happened in there?" Now, all of this was just imaginary in my mind. and in most instances is not, but it can happen. This need not be the case DEVELOP!-1ENT What we're talking about here can happen - not only in the theater, but in most areas of life. It's the sott of thing that can happen in our own lives, in our jobs, in churches as well as in theaters. It happens when people allow What they do to become routine and monotonous. And there is that sense in which a theater serves as a miniature model of the human scene. "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players", said Shakespeare. Enthusiasm is always greater at the beginning and tenrls to diminish the longer we stay at something. It's true in the ministry. It's true in medicine. I imagine that teachers find it to be true, although teachers are often protected against those subtle penalties of getting tired and bored with their jobs because they're closely "checked up» on by their principals. Doctors and lawyers and ministers usually don't have principals and headmasters checking up on them. And it might be a good thing if they did.

6 - 2 - For the majority of workers in the world - whether in a business or a profession - there are not periodic check-ups and examinations once they're safely launched. They go on their own gait, after the period of training is over. And, if they slump along the way, they do this gradually that they hardly realize this themselves, unt}l failure or dismissal or rebuke stirs them to the awareness they've slumpedl WHAT'S NEEDED Now, I believe that if this problem of slumping is to be solved, it will have to be taken under consideration by persons whose enthusiasm is still keen, Whose inquisitiveness about the world is still unabated, whose inner life is saturated with the belief that what they're doing is important. And this is not a matter of age. I know of some people in their seventies and in their eighties who are in less danger of slipping than many in their twenties and thirties. One of my heroes is a woman who saw her-90th birthday some tl back and who continues to walk through life with zest and enthusiasm, lifting the level of life wherever she- goes. She continues to lead a challenging, productive life, helping others around difficult corners. Her mind is active, her spirit is positive. She shared with me sanething that happened to her recently here in the neighborhood which I think is worth passing on. My friend was an the York Avenue bus, sitting up front behind the driver. It seems another elderly person got on and looked over in the direction of my friend and with a rather snappish voice, said, "Don't you know these seats are reserved for Senior Citizens~. With that my friend who's up there in years, got up and moved to another part of the bus. Isn't that beautifull We need to be on the alert for the arrival of that time when if you're a typist - for instance -you just don't go to the bother of erasing that accidental ''N" that you struck when you meant to strike an 1 'M 11, but content yourself with going back and whacking an UMtt vigorously on top of the ''Ntt, thinking to yourself, "Aw what the heck nobody' s going to notice i ttt. It's certainly not a major crime. You're not going to have a meter maid come along and put a ticket on you, but, mind you - it's a sign a bad sign. It's a sign that youtre no longer on the way up, having demonstrated those early symptoms of carelessness, fatigue and indifference. You may be saying to yourself, "Oops I'm still in rrry twenties or nw thirties, and I'm already doing that". You can start your toboggan ride to nowhere in your twenties and if you aren't careful, you can arrive there by payday. So, part of the message today is to say to you - whoever you are - be on the alert for the arrival of that time when you no longer care, when you're on the verge of slumping. Let the words of Paul nourish your thought and stimulate you. One act certainly has not established a habit, but if this attitude of apathy should became a fixiation, then you might just as well face it: you've gone about as far toward that longed-for promotion as you're likely to go. The rest of the trip will find you "hanging on 11 to your job, perhaps in jeopardy of losing it. BUT BACK TO PAUL'S WORD But back to Paul's word. When a minister has a keynote. message in his bones, a Sunday like this is surely the time to turn it loose. Summer's over. A new season beckons. Anticipation runs

7 - 3 - high. The words of St. Paul that launched this message_are words I've been carrying around with me for several weeks, wanting to put them before you. "And let us not grow weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." It's strange, how a verse of Scripture gets in to your bloodstream, into your thoughts like a melody that you find yourself humming over again. There were a--mml.hep--0.!= times when I was there in Maine out on the golf course walking. thinking reflecting on our life together here in the Church wondering what word I would bring to you on, my 1st Sunday b!.ck. Again an9 again it. was the word from St. Paul to the Galatians that kept creeping back into my mind. I believe this is the word we need to heartnot only in our lives, but also in the Church as well. It's as though Paul were saying to us this morning, "Yes watch out for that critical time when life ceases to stir you when you really dontt care to care whether you show up or not to make new friends no effort to hold to the friendships you think you're sure of 11 I believe Paul would say to us in this Church, ttyou 1 ve done well so far this year don't grow wyary in your well-doing. You can do even better. Let s take hold once again. Cling to that vision. Let those memories of p:3.st days stir you. Let those dreams you have for this Church move you to even greater heights of service in the Master's Name." What a Churchl What a congregation! What people! What talents and gifts come together here. And what opportunities have been given to us all in this place and time to declare His Way through our deeds and words. The miracle of our worship on a Sunday moves and motivates many, it cuts and challenges and changes. You help to make it happen - through your prayers, presence, gifts, service. It was on a Sunday morning such as this two years ago this September that a young woman came in here, worshipped with us, drelv strength and dep:irted. She felt something happening here and wrote a note to express it. She said something that I treasure and remember and which sums it all up so beautifully. "When I walk out of here I feel like I'm a winner'tt Jesus Christ makes us feel like winners. This is the miracle we help to shape and build. 11And Jet us not grow weary in the well-doingn of it A.friend.set my attention to some lines in Dear Abby's column of Tuesday evening (or was it Wednesday not important). Entitled Scenario for a Winner, you may have caught it and also clipped it. Winners and losers what 1 s the difference. According to these lines, it is: "A winner says, 'Let's find out. A lose says 'nobody lmows. A winner says, 'I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be'. AAlmse~ says, 'I'm not as bad as a lot of other people'. A winner listens. A loser just waits until it's his turn to to talk.!

8 - 4 - A winner rest:ects those <who are superior to him and tries to learn from them. A lose rresents the superiority of others and tries to find chinks in their armor. A winner does more than his job. A loser says 'I on~ work here'. A winner says, 'I fell' A loser says, ' somebody pushed me' A winner makes commitments. A loser makes promises'. (there is a differencel) COMMITMENT TH1E 11 A winner makes commitments. A lose makes promises". To be winners in the work we are engaged in, we need to have commitments made to Jesus Christ. And this is the time, the season for a renewal of that commitment. Public and private commitments. Of all the uplifting idealisms that have helped to sustain the courage and enthusiasm of people on this earth, there is none better than the way of Jesus. His style of living is an insurance against slumping, against what the Bible calls nweariness in well-doing". For long ago He reminded us that this Universe 1mich is our home is solvent, that it's trustworthy, that it constant~ registers on our side. I think you could say that the management of the universe even puts up His evaluation of human existence reminds us that our lives are precious and that there's meaning behind it all. The universe will never let us. down. And if you accept it and accept Him as a longterm proposition for your life, backed by a motive dynamic enough to preserve its inte~rity in all of your dealings, you will not grow ttweary in well-doing". In Him and in His Way, you will find that keenness of expectancy that we all need, that joy of enthusias~ that keeps us at it.and wi-±1 inh~rit~what Jesus long ago described to- His o-vm followers, 11 The Abundant Lifett. I hope and pray that all who come within the walls of this church in days ahead - worship with us and share in fellowship - will dep:trt, feeling "like winners". And that dear friends, really is mat it's all aboutl 11 PRAYER Lord, we remember now the word of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am come that they might have life and have it a bundantlyn. Lord, we know it is ours for the asking, that we only have to receive it to build on it to make it ours. For then we shall never grow weary in well-doing. In His spirit, we pray. Amen with our "overdrafts 11 for which there is forgiveness and healing. There may be some present tod~ who need to hear that word, too

9 PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y AT CHURCH DIRECTORY Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke... Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside Organist-Choir Director Mr. Jack Schmidt... Business Manager Ms. Kathleen Harrison Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman... Day School Director Mr. Carlos Bernal Custodian GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference... Mr. Edward J. Brown Mrs. Joyce Gartrell President, Board of Trustees... Miss Lynn Bruhn Chairman, Administrative Council... Mr. Leroy Coffman Chairman, Education Committee... Mr. William Bell Chairman, Fellowship Committee Miss Helen Wilkinson Chairman, Finance Committee Mr. Edward J. Brown Chairman, Church Property Committee.. Mr. Doug Heimbigner Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee... Miss Linda Burtch Dr. John Lombardo Chairman, Outreach Committee Miss Elizabeth Berg Chairman, Worship Committee... Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School... Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hughes Chairman, Ushers... Mr. Larry Morales Superintendent, Sunday School Miss Anne Davenport PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

10 TODAY'S MUSIC SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 7, 1986 ORDER OF WORSHIP 11 A. M. ORGAN "Andante Cantabile" Franck CALL TO WORSHIP HYMN NO. 21 "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" APOSTLES' CREED No. 738 GLORIA PATRI No. 792 *** SCRIPTURE Galatians 6: 1-10 Page 1015 PARISH CONCERNS SOLO "I Will Sing New Songs of Gladness" Dvorak PRESENTATION OF THE OFFERING WITH THE DOXOLOGY HYMN NO. 241 "Fight the Good Fight" SERMON "Don't Weary In Well-Doing" Mr. Clarke PRAYER *** SOLO *** "0 Divine Redeemer" THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION The Invitation The Scriptural Account of the Last Supper The Partaking of the Elements The Prayer of Resolution Gounod HYMN NO. 283 "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" BENEDICTION ORGAN "Allegro" Mendelssohn *** Interval for Ushering We welcome Lyndon Woodside back to the organ console this morning. The choir returns next Sunday. Choir members are reminded of the first rehearsal of the Fall season, Wednesday at 6:15 P.M. We also are pleased to welcome Jane Woodside as today's soloist. USHERS The ushers today are Len Williams, Rick Kilbride, Robert Lewis, John Lombardo, Kenneth Pew, Jonathan Wheeler, and Charles Wire. AN INVITATION Punch and cookies will be served in the Russell Room following the service. Members and friends are invited to share in these moments of warmth made possible for us this morning by Mary Lou McGanney, Stephanie Weems, and Mabelle White. PICK UP YOUR COPY Be sure to pick up your copy of the September issue of our parish news sheet, "A Word in Edgeways." Copies are on the table in the Russell Room and by the door in the narthex. ADULT BIBLE CLASS The Adult Bible Class meets on Sunday morning at 9:30 in the third floor Fellowship Hall. Mr. Clarke is serving as teacher for it and new friends are always welcome. NURSERY CARE Nursery care for infants and toddlers is available in the fourth floor Day School Room.

11 PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 106 East 86th Street New York, N.Y AT CHURCH DIRECTORY Rev. Philip A. C. Clarke Minister Mr. Lyndon Woodside Organist-Choir Director M r. Jack Schmidt Business Manager Ms. Kathleen Harrison Secretary Mrs. Judith Keisman Day School Director M r. Carlos Bernal Custodian GENERAL OFFICERS Lay Members, Annual Conference... Mr. Edward J. Brown Mrs. Joyce Gartrell President, Board of Trustees... Miss Lynn Bruhn Chairman, Administrative Council... Mr. Leroy Coffman Chairman, Education Committee Mr. William Bell Chairman, Fellowship Committee Miss Helen Wilkinson Chairman, Finance Committee Mr. Edward J. Brown Chairman, Church Property Committee.. Mr. Doug Heimbigner Co-Chairmen, Membership Committee.... Miss Linda Burtch Dr. John Lombardo Chairman, Outreach Committee... Miss Elizabeth Berg Chairman, Worship Committee Miss Pam Hubby Co-Chairmen, Day School Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Hughes Chairman, Ushers Mr. Larry Morales Superintendent, Sunday School Miss Anne Davenport PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH