6/13/10 Listen Watch Video
Order of Worship

Dear Friends,

The TLC Network used to broadcast a regular show called, “In a Fix.” The show would stage dramatic “interventions” on the family handyman or woman whose do-it-yourself home repair project had gone terribly wrong.  Whenever the best home improvement intentions lead to disastrous results – such as gaping holes in ceilings, gutted kitchens, three alarm fires (and strained marriages) – the “In A Fix” team would sweep in for the weekend and turn a small repair job into a major renovation.  By the end of the weekend, the remorseful, repentant homeowner would return to his home amazed and grateful to have been rescued from the mess he had created. 

According to Luke, Jesus stages a little home intervention of his own one day, sweeping into Simon’s house for more than a few minor repairs.  While having dinner with Simon the Pharisee, he undertakes an extraordinary remodeling and restoration project on a nameless street woman – “a sinner,” as Simon calls her – granting her forgiveness while she anoints his feet with tears of joy and fragrant ointment.  Meanwhile, Simon, in all his self-righteousness, is in a serious fix of his own – unable to comprehend such reckless, unconditional, undeserved love, and unable to perceive that his own proud, self-sufficient life is fraught with serious defects.

This Sunday, as we culminate our “From Strength to Strength” Capital Campaign, we are reminded by Luke that the church exists to rescue and restore all of God’s people – not only the nameless sinners whom no one knows, but also the Simons among us who, by all appearances, have no need to be rescued.  Together, these make up that eclectic collection of people we call the church which, from what I can tell, is the only place in the world where both are welcomed, and both are healed.

See you Sunday,

Rev. Mark