Sermon by Tim Hall: Neighbors in Deed

“Neighbors in Deed” by Tim Hall Sunday, July 13, 2025

– Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C
(RCL: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-9; 2 Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37)

Opening prayer: “O God, whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: open our ears to hear your word, our eyes to see your vision, our minds to understand your guidance, and our hearts to share your love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Saturday evening, a week ago, I came to the church to mow. It was quiet and the weather had cooled. When I entered through the basement door I was surprised to see that the lights were all on, coffee was brewing, and the tables and chairs were set up for a gathering, with bowls of candy within reach of any seat. Of course I realized immediately that it was setup for the weekly AA meeting, which made me happy to see it back in full swing and gladdened my heart to know that our church was helping to facilitate this important ministry to neighbors in need.

As I mowed, I watched in amazement as cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks arrived, filling all our parking areas and overflowing onto Good Shepherd road. There were 18 to 20 vehicles altogether, some with multiple passengers. I wondered about this healthy attendance, especially in light of how our Sunday church attendance has been somewhat down this summer… especially since the highs of Easter and Bishop Gulick’s visit. And I realized, the Pine Grove AA is filling a huge need in the lives of its members. I think the word has gotten out to those that need that support, that there is hope and salvation to be found there.

So what about our church? Are we being successful at filling the lives of our members and guests with hope and salvation? With the love of Jesus? In meeting their spiritual needs? And believe me, I know that everyone has a longing for more peace in their lives, and a connection with God that surpasses all understanding. What more should we be doing to share that love: the message of salvation that we all know and have deep in our hearts?

In the summer of 2010, fifteen years ago, we celebrated the centennial of this very church. Bishop David Jones celebrated with us that day, leading us in the rededication of our church after what we billed as “Ten decades of devotion” and “A century of service”. What a wonderful celebration it was!

Over the previous four years the church had experienced a rebirth, growing from the handful of ladies and one gentleman – who had faithfully struggled for years to keep the church doors open in the face of dwindling attendance and failing infrastructure – 2 of 3 into a small, vibrant, sustainable congregation, which is what made the centennial celebration even more special. The Eucharistic service of rededication was followed by a cookout lunch with live music and the day concluded with Evensong, led by the Rev. Chris Cunningham, who was a driving force in the rebirth of the church.

In addition to all the joy we shared that day, something new and exciting was born. The congregation committed to forming and carrying out a feeding ministry in our community. It didn’t have a name yet, but it certainly had much enthusiasm. In response to a challenge from Bishop Jones that morning, we raised $500 in donations toward this new ministry, which the bishop matched with another $500 from his discretionary fund, giving us a nice nest egg to get this ministry started.

Our beloved Lois Tapscott led us in that effort. It started as local outreach… holding fundraisers, gathering food, delivering it to our local Pine Grove neighbors. But as more neighbors in need were identified – and we realized there was even greater need in our wider county – we connected with FISH of Clarke County. Today we see the fruits of that new initiative, begun 15 years ago, in our continuing and growing FISH outreach ministry.

In our reading from Deuteronomy, Moses is nearing the completion of his lifelong committment to answering God’s call. After all he has done, leading the Hebrew people from their slavery in Egypt through the wilderness for 40 years, he knows his role in this mission will be completed before the Hebrews enter the Promised Land.

An old man now, Moses encourages the people, yet again, with this reminder of how the Lord has blessed them and will continue to prosper them in all their undertakings, as long as they keep his commandments. He tells them, and us, that keeping the Lord’s commandments is not too hard, nor too far away. It is not found in heaven or across the sea, but right here with us, in our mouths, in our hearts, in how we live our lives. It is found in the way we love God.

And how should we love God? The lawyer, quoting from the law, answers Jesus in our Gospel reading this way: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” It’s interesting that in Luke’s Gospel, this exchange comes with the lawyer. In Matthew’s Gospel a similar exchange happens, but in a slightly different setting, when the Pharisees question Jesus about which is the greatest commandment. Jesus gives the same reply the lawyer gives him in Luke, again quoting from Deuteronomy. Then Jesus adds to that old testament commandment about loving God, that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus 3 of 3 is telling us that how we treat each other and our neighbors is a reflection of how we love God.

I love our bulletin cover this morning. It’s very simple. And yet, in its simplicity, it gives us a couple of important messages about how we should be living our lives. Love your neighbor. Follow the cross. Jesus tells this story, which has come to be known as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”, shortly after passing through Samaria – his disciples in tow – on his way to Jerusalem. Remember a couple of weeks ago when the disciples asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans, showing just how much in disregard they held the Samaritans? Jesus rebuked them.

And today, Jesus chooses a Samaritan as the hero of his story. Not a priest. Nor someone who works in the temple, supposedly serving God and the church. No, they are too busy to be bothered. Instead, Jesus chooses a person who is loathed by those listening to his story. That’s what makes it so powerful and enduring. Our neighbors are everyone. Everywhere. Friends… and foes. Those we don’t yet know. If the Samaritan could act with such compassion, with mercy, for someone in need, can’t we do the same? Jesus urges us, “Go and do likewise.”

And, of course, we’re not in this alone. The apostle Paul, as we all know, became a huge believer after his conversion at Tarsus. He accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and devoted his life to spreading his teachings. He sent one of his old friends, Epaphras, to Colossae to establish a church there, 120 miles inland from Ephesus, in modern day Turkey. Now, writing from his prison cell in Rome around 62 C.E., Paul sends his greetings and encouragement to the Colossians, saying, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from God’s glorious power, …, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.”

If we remember the encouraging teachings of Moses and Paul, stand firmly on the foundation of those that have gone before us during a “Century of Service” and more, here at Good Shepherd, serve and love our neighbors as ourselves, and humbly proclaim the Good News of God in Christ, surely God will be bless our work and lives, as we, like the Good Samaritan, “Go and do likewise”.

Amen.