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“Bridge Builders”
“Bridge Builders”
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“Bridge Builders”
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“Bridge Builders”
Mostar Bridge A sermon preached at the Mint Methodist Church at 10.30 am on Sunday 8th January 2011 by the Minister, Rev Andrew Sails at a service including the Annual Covenant Renewal Once upon a time two brothers lived on adjoining farms.
Over the years they argued more and more
until finally they would not even speak to one another.
Between the two farms was a field, through which ran a small stream.
Finally the younger brother, determined to shun and enrage the other,
took a bulldozer and gouged out a great scar across the field so that the stream now ran through a deep gully
with ramparts each side, physically cutting the two properties off from each other.
Soon after this, a man came to visit the elder brother.
"I'm a carpenter", he said “Have you any work?”
"Yes I do," said the older brother.
“Look what my brother has - but two can play at that game - . I want you to build me a fence - 8-foot high- between my land and his -
That will show him."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand. I am sure I can do a job that will please you."
The older brother had to go out for the day, so he left the carpenter get on with the job - all day long he worked, measuring, sawing, nailing.
About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.
There was no fence there at all.
It was a bridge - stretching from one side of the gully to the other!
A fine piece of work, handrails and all --
and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming over the field,
With his hand outstretched, saying
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge,
and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder.
"No, wait! Stay a few days.-
we've a lot of other projects for you," they said.
"I'd love to stay on," said the carpenter,
"but, I have many more bridges to build."
So here today we meet in the name of the Carpenter’s son,
the great bridge builder Christ, whose ministry is one of reconciliation -
reconciling brother to brother, sister to sister,
reconciling his people to their God - destroying human barricades, and building bridges between heaven and earth.
Bridges can be a mixed blessing.
Medieval castles all had draw bridges - why?
Because a bridge can be used by anyone - including my enemy -
and you built a drawbridge so that you could pull it up if you felt threatened -
make sure the bridge did not leave you vulnerable to attack by your enemy.
Christ does not build drawbridges -
he does not offer a conditional hand of friendship waiting to withdraw it
and hide behind the battlements and the portcullis when danger arrives.
No the drawbridge to his heart is never raised -
because true love does not count the cost
and will risk ultimate vulnerability
to welcome and be alongside those in need of love and care.
That is why Christ went to the cross -
he will always let us in - whatever the cost. And today we renew our covenant with God. God in Christ has built the bridge - that is his act as our faithful covenant God. Will we let him cross over into our lives,
or will we in our turn build a barricade to keep him out?
That is our covenant Sunday challenge.
And if we let God in, he will come with carpenter’s tools
and ask us to join his work, building bridges of love and peace in the world!
You know the words Pontiff and Pontifical referring to bishops -
often particularly to the Pope as Pontifex Maximus - greatest Pontif.
The words come from the Latin “Pons, pontis” meaning Bridge
They pick up on an ancient Roman idea of the priest as a bridge builder between God and his people. We believe (as Hebrews says) that Christ is our great High Priest, but remember - we are all called to the priesthood of all believers. You and I may only be Pontifex Minimus - but still we need to carry our hammer & saw
and be ready to build bridges with and for Christ.
And in a week when we have again remembered Stephen Lawrence, we know that there are still many bridges to build.
I don’t know if anyone here has been to Mostar in Bosnia -
During the Balkan conflict, Mostar became bitterly contested between Orthodox Serbs on one side of the river and Catholic and Muslim Bosnians on the other.
The architectural treasure of Mostar was
the glorious mediaeval bridge arching high above the River Neretva. During the bitter fighting in 1993 the bridge was destroyed.
Leslie Griffiths wrote this about the ruins:
“The bridge across Neretva stands in ruins now -
but other bridges too have been destroyed;
the bridge of trust that held communities together,
the bridge of love which linked all those of different faith,
have been demolished with wanton heartlessness.”
That was written in 1998 -
but eventually the fallen masonry was recovered from the river and in 2004 the restored bridge was reopened
But more was needed that mere civil engineering.
Leslie Griffiths goes on:
“The deep chasms of broken trust ,
the swirling waters of lurking suspicion,
the fathomless abyss of division and hatred, these need bridging now.
God help the people of Bosnia Herzegovnia, heal their wounds, restore their lives…Build a brand new bridge Lord
With faith and hope and love its main materials”
(“Touching the Pulse - Worship in our divided world” Leslie Griffiths, Stainer and Bell, 1998)
Have you noticed, I haven’t quoted the Bible about bridge building? What about the bridges in the Bible? There aren’t any. Google bridges in the Bible or check the concordance - the list of Bible words goes straight from Bridegroom to Bridle - no bridges - a powerful and I hope helpful image, but not a biblical one. Why no bridges in the Bible? Chance perhaps. Or maybe the scripture writers prefer to see God not on the bridge over the water, but as the one down in the water with his people:
Our God does not merely build bridges of reconciliation
and bid us do the same - he also looks down
and for these he dives into the cold waters of sin and death and says
“Never fear - I will never let you go.”
When young Stephen Lawrence lay dying in the street two young Christians on the way home from a prayer meeting crouched down by the dying boy, and as they waited for help, they held him and said “You are loved, you are loved”-the last words he heard on this earth.
Our covenant God breaks down the barriers twixt earth and heaven,
and goes with us through the waters of sin and death,
till finally he brings us safe home o’er Jordan.
What can I do in response to this?
Commit myself to share in his work
Giving my all for the one who has already unconditionally
given his all for me. May we do this today as we renew our covenant commitment. ORDER OF SERVICE 10.30am Sunday 8th January 2012 Annual Service of Covenant Renewal led by Rev Andrew Sails Hymn STF 470 “Lord for the years” (see screen) Prayers (Methodist Worship Book p.282) and Lord’s Prayer Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34 (p.793) (OT Reading for Covenant Sunday)
Mark 1:4-11 (p.1002) (Gospel Reading for Sunday after Epiphany)
Hymn “Diverse in culture, nation, race” (see screen)
Diverse in culture, nation, race
God let us be a bridge of care
When chasms widen, storms arise,
God let us be a table spread [Ruth Duck © 1992 GIA Publications Inc. CCLI Licence 58752.] Sermon
Hymn STF 556 “Just as I am” (see screen)
The Covenant Renewal
Introduction to the Covenant (Methodist Worship Book p.285)
Prayers of Confession (MWB p.285)
Covenant Renewal (MWB p. 289, “B”)
Silence (congregation sits)
Prayers of Intercession (MWB p.290)
Peace (MWB p.291)
(Young people and Korean congregation enter)
Hymn STF 595 “Lord we have come” (see screen) Holy Communion (congregation remains standing)
Minister: Lift up your Hearts.
All: We lift them to the Lord.
Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Minister: Father we give you thanks for all your love for us throughout history, for the gift of your Son, living our life from stable to cross, walking alongside us in our pain and sorrow, even unto death. So with the heavenly choir we join the song of praise:
All (sing): Holy, holy, holy, with joy my heart adores you!
My heart cries out to worship you: holy are you Lord! (x2) [STF 779]
Minister: On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, he gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying “Take, eat, this is my body. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup; he gave thanks and gave it to them saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this is my blood of the new Covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Hear us, O Christ, and breathe your Spirit upon us and upon this bread and wine. May they become for us your body, vibrant with your life, healing, renewing and making us whole. And as the bread and wine which we now eat and drink are changed into us, may we be changed again into you, bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Look, the Body of Christ is broken for the life of the world.
Congregation sits to sing (STF 576 vv1 and 3):
Distribution of Bread and Wine [All are invited to receive bread & wine. Please come forward when the steward indicates. Should you wish to receive a blessing only, simply come to the rail, but do not hold out your hand for bread & wine.] Prayer after Communion:
All: God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, Hymn STF 465 “Guide me O thou great Jehovah” (see screen) Blessing |
