Given at First Congregational Church of San Francisco
Sunday of the Good Shepherd, May 6, 2001
Rev. Wilfried Glabach
minister@sanfranciscoucc.org
 

Last Sunday we had our deconsecration service.  For me the most arresting moment was when the doors closed and we stood outside on the sidewalk. "Now we are really pilgrims...," Cathy Bohrman said. 

We have to find our way, we have to define ourselves, and we have to decide where to go. What will our mission be? Our new adventure begins.  The church is sold and  we have been  here at Urban Life Center since May 1st. This place doesn't  look like a church; it reminds me a little bit of the auditorium at my high school.  In one week I have gotten used to my office (that is bigger than the place where I stay), the neighborhood, the bus, and where to go for lunch. 

How was it for you this morning? Was it easy to find the way, the entrance, how do like our worship space? Everything changed in the last week -- really everything?

I am glad about our readings this morning. This Sunday is the Sunday of the Good Shepherd, so I have read in the UCC calendar. 

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD - I SHALL NOT WANT - HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN 
PASTURES - HE LEADS ME BESIDE STILL WATERS...

What comforting words these are - but are they true words? Are they true in the sense that they really apply to you? Jesus said "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE. I KNOW THEM AND THEY FOLLOW ME."

But do you really want Jesus to be your shepherd? Do you want all that the 23rd Psalm promises to be true for you?  This psalm is very popular.  Many people know it by heart.  Many have selected it for their wedding, their funeral. This psalm is easy to understand for everybody. I think, you all want the same thing ---  You want a God to watch over you, a God to protect you, a God to bless you, a God to comfort you when you hurt, a God to heal you when you are ill, a God to walk with you when you walk through the valley of the shadow of the death, a God who to give you eternal life...

I think we all want this and Jesus says I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD, I AM THE ONE WHO LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP.

I believe most of you believe it too. But the question remains, ARE WE HIS SHEEP, DO HIS WORDS OF COMFORT APPLY TO US?  Jesus says in the Gospel according to John: "My sheep know my voices and they follow me."

This is the test, a test of whether or not we are the sheep of the good shepherd, a test of whether or not - no matter what fold we may happen to come from - we are the people who belong to Jesus Christ - the people who belong to God.

Do you pass the test? Do you know and listen to your shepherd's voice?   What is the shepherd's voice?

We are all belonging to a protestant church. Our foundation  is God's word that became flesh in Jesus Christ.  I like this picture of our bulletin, which Ken has chosen, we believe in the power of the word. As Christians we continue the witness of the early disciples in the reality and power of the crucified and risen Jesus of Nazareth. And for me one of my most important tasks is to bring and preach God's word. We can hear it here; we can read it in the Bible. Do you know the voice of the shepherd? Do you pass the test?  I don't know how many of you  read the words of the shepherd in the Bible last week? Or how many of you actually prayed to God at least once a day for each day of the last week --with your own words? When you prayed, when you talked with God, when you brought your requests, did you listen to God? How many of you took he time to quiet your hearts and your minds and to listen for a message - for a word, for a thought, and an impulse from God and the Holy Spirit?

I really enjoyed how our guest preacher Paul Wilkes started our reception last Saturday with a prayer, reminding us of the last nights Jesus spent with the disciples.

I really liked that he didn't talk about big programs and strategies in the church. His sermon was clear and simple, listen to God's word, and let it become reality in your life and in your heart and bring it to other people. 

People are hungry for God's word. The first step for God's sheep  is to hear to God's  voice. Maybe this is also the message for us, First Congregational Church San Francisco.  Who are we? 59 members, friends and guests, not more? Think about that we are a spiritual community with a long and wonderful history, a place where there are no restrictions on faith, a congregation with diversity.

We don't have to listen  to the loudest voices in our flock. Trust in the good shepherd and believe that he will restore our souls and he will lead us in right paths. Don't be too impatient but don't be too slow in this flock. 

Somebody said to me last week,  "I am tired, we only talk, talk, and talk, but not about our faith, only about building and future. We have forgotten to listen to the needs and the wants of each other."  And maybe we have been too tired and too busy to listen to the voice of the shepherd.

And something else I have heard very often. "We need more members!"  True. 

The flock needs more sheep. It is easier to live and to survive in a bigger number. This is true. But we have to make clear, what  we can offer, why  our flock is more attractive than the other ones are. Which food do we have for new sheep? Which mission do we have? Where is our journey going?  That is what we have to figure out, as a congregation,  as the flock of God.

For five weeks, I have been your pastor. Pastor is a Latin word and means shepherd...  I ask myself, is there any advice or encouragement I can give you.  I am sure that you won't find the right answers in bylaws, but in the voice of the Lord. 

The last weeks were exciting and emotionally charged.

I heard many questions and few answers, I felt much doubt and not much  hope, I noticed signs of fatigue and little joy, I saw lot of  boxes and luggage and we left a lot of trash behind us.  Now we stepped further.  We have reached our first resting place. I believe and I pray that we lie down here in green pastures, and that God will lead us beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). He will be with us also in the darkest valleys and in moments when we are together with our enemies and adversaries. 

I have asked you today whether we are sheep that belong to the Good Shepherd. Do we know his voice and do we follow him?  Is this a flock where people listen to the voice of God, as their Good Shepherd?  This flock, this church will survive as a community in faith where the word of God becomes reality.  God is calling us.

Listen - and follow - and you shall not want.
Listen - and follow - and your soul will be restored.
Listen - and follow - goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life.

Amen

PRAYER

Dear God, I thank you for seeking us out , as a shepherd seeks his sheep. I thank you for keeping us safe and for blessing us with all that we have. Help us to listen more to you than we can do right now, and give us the faith to follow you more perfectly. I ask it in Jesus' name. 

Amen.