Second Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 62:1–5; 1 Corinthians 12:1–11; John 2:1–11

Pastor Gayle M. Pope

The Life of the Party

Since the last time I was here with you, the New Year came and went.

When I was in my 20s, New Year’s Eve was a lot bigger deal than it is these days. Then, it was a big deal to do something special … go to a party … have a good time with friends. Now, it’s a big deal just to stay up until midnight.

Three weeks ago, we celebrated New Year’s Eve in Minneapolis with friends, and we actually did stay up until midnight. These friends had a box of party hats and noisemakers that looked like they had seen more than one New Years’ Eve.

And so, after a wild game of UNO, we each put on a hat just before midnight, watched the ball descend in Times Square, blew horns, made noise, said “Happy New Year,” ate a nice midnight brunch and THEN went to bed.

It wasn’t too wild, but thanks to the hospitality of our friends, it was a nice little celebration. Our friends brought the party to life and we happily joined in.

In our gospel reading for today, there’s another kind of party going on … a wedding party. The hosts had brought this party to life, inviting the guests and serving food and wine according to the custom of the day. Jesus and his mother and his disciples were guests at this party.

It was probably a very nice party, but something had gone awry. Jesus’ mother, Mary, noticed that the wine had run out. For a Jewish wedding celebration in those days, this would have been a major social embarrassment for the hosts.

Mary was concerned and seemed to think that Jesus could do something to help. At first, Jesus implied it was none of their business, but Mary wouldn’t settle for that response. She instructed the servants to “do whatever he tells you.” And, apparently, her faith in her son spurred him to act.

Jesus gave instructions, which the servants followed without question, even though the instructions made no sense whatsoever. The most obvious result was that the party came back to life, with more and better wine than ever.

But there was another result that is even more important. We read in verse 11: “Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

As I thought about this story – and as I have also been thinking about our upcoming annual meeting and the mission and ministry of our congregation – I began to see a connection.

What if we compared the mission of our congregation to that wedding party and the wine to the life of the Holy Spirit flowing amongst us?

Often times it’s a good party where the wine flows freely. Let me give you some examples:

In the days leading up to Christmas, I had a chance to bring Holy Communion to our members who are not able to be present with us here physically. Your commitment to having a pastor here makes that possible.

Thanks to your faithfulness and generosity, the Holy Spirit flowed from here to Montebello in Hamilton, where Marjorie Kyburz lives

… to the home of Esther Kloepfer in Carthage, where Shirley Ammer and Analie Leininger joined in Holy Communion with Helen Edwards and Norma Briedbarth

… to the homes of Frances and Sandi Soland, Lois Sly, Hilda Baxter and Les Sloan

… and to the hospital room of Dale Metternich, where Vivian and several of their daughters, grandchildren and even a great grandchild joined in singing Christmas carols, reading Scripture and sharing our Lord’s Body and Blood

Because of the pastor’s discretionary fund to which you have contributed, some parents were able to give Christmas gifts to their children.

Our services on Christmas Eve Day – morning and evening – were full of life. So many came to worship together and to share their gifts of music and leadership. It was good to see family members home and enjoy the connections that have been formed through the years.

I wasn’t here when Frances Soland died but, from talking to Sandi and others, I got the sense that the congregation responded just as you would hope. A wonderful meal was organized and there were many people here to pay their respects and show their support for Sandi and provide hospitality to family and friends.

The same is happening now with the death of Kay Berry’s mom, Arlene Baker.

There was also a blood drive here a couple weeks ago. Ruth Newton was concerned because she hadn’t had enough time to do the advance preparation she usually does. Laura was going to be gone that day and her right hand person, Elaine, was down with a broken leg.

But somehow everything came together and the goal was met, and the blood donated here will be a gift of life to others.

These examples are just from the last month and there are many others. The prayer chain has also been busy recently.

But there are also times when it seems like the wine is running low at our mission party – when there seems to be a lack of energy and inspiration and time and commitment and resources.

When the wine ran out at Cana, what happened? First of all, Jesus had been invited. Second, someone who had faith in him – his mother – asked him to help.

Third, Jesus looked around and saw what was there – six vessels filled with water. He started with that and gave instructions to the servants.

Fourth, the servants obeyed and, in faith, brought the water to the steward.

And when that happened, the water was transformed and the life returned to the party.

An invitation, a faith-filled request for help, a command to take what you have and offer it, a faith-filled, obedient response.

And with that came transformation and renewed life … more than ever ... more even than necessary … abundant, overflowing and of the best quality.

As we head into our annual meeting next Sunday, let us remember to invite Jesus … to ask with faith for his help.

When he looks around at what we have – our time, our talents, our treasure – and says, “take that and bring it to the Steward” – which is like saying, offer it to God for him to taste and redistribute … let us respond with faithful obedience even if we don’t know what to expect.

And when we do, we CAN expect the life and power of the Holy Spirit to continue to flow through this congregation bringing renewal, forgiveness, healing and hope to one another and to the community around us and even into all the world.

When the gifts which have been allotted to us by the Spirit are activated by that Spirit, the glory of our Lord will be revealed in and through us.

We will see these signs and our own belief will be strengthened and others will come to believe. So that, by the power of the Holy Spirit at work among us, people will say, “Jesus is Lord.”

In the meantime, Jesus has invited us to this feast this morning. Jesus is here with us now. In obedience to his father, he has given his life for us, which we can receive in this bread and wine.

The transformation that happens to this bread and wine when it is united with the word and promise of Jesus makes it of the highest quality and there is no limit to the grace and power it carries.

As we take and eat and drink in faith, we receive forgiveness and the life of the Holy Spirit in us is nourished and renewed.

Jesus – the life of the party – is here. Let us prepare our hearts to come in faith and receive him.

Amen.