TEN YEARS LATER (Sept 11, 2011)

TEN YEARS LATER

A Sermon for Two Anniversaries
Text: Matthew 7:24-27

Key Idea: Ultimately God is in control and we build our lives on the
foundation laid by Jesus Christ following the leadership of the Spirit

INTRO: WHERE WERE YOU ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001?
I was in my office, just two days past my first Sunday as your pastor
Doug Sutton had invited me to see Roots, but I had declined
“Too soon to be out of my office.”
Soon Patty received a phone call – something terrible had happened
A plane had just flown into the World Trade Center
I raced back to Albrights just in time to watch a second plane
plunge into the twin of the first tower

Deb Anderson who was home-schooling her kids called for advice
“Just turn off the phone”

That night 75 of us gathered in this sanctuary for prayer
and people like Dr. Albright thinking about going to NYC to help

TRANSITION: THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE US
that day traumatized our nation.
For a few moments we might turn off the television,
but our world had been as dramatically altered.

Our first responses were: fear, anger, tremendous shock and grief
But there was also heroism of an extraordinary nature
And the nation began uniting in the face of a common enemy
One who hated us all-republican and democrat alike, white and black,
rich and poor—we simply needed to be Americans and infidels

There are also was a surge in people seeking strength
and answers in their faith, being drawn to God,
but it was a short-lived revival, a blip on the screen
and now less people attend church for example than in 2001
– and the biggest losses are in
New England and the Middle Atlantic States

The reaction ultimately led to war with Al Quaida and Iraq
And three young men associated with this congregation have
already served in Iraq and Afghanstan
But are we safer, better off?

We don’t really need a terrorist attack to bring tremendous
pain and fear and struggle into our lives
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Floods
Economy
Job Losses
Incompetent and divided leadership in Washington

THE CHURCH OF GOD OF LANDISVILLE HAS BEEN
on a tremendous journey of ministry
There were only 125 of us worshiping and if we had closed
“we would not be missed” (Bernie McFarland)

We chose to be led by the Holy Spirit
A church with an outward focus and servant attitude towards our community
A safe place for people in need
A place where all kinds of people find Jesus

We have at times lost our way
Let men and man’s methods dim our commitment to the Spirit
When things got tough and we turned inward for a time
Or reverted to a vision that did not require faith
Our were not good stewards of our vision
When we made it our goal just to be a church like other churches
Instead of disciples on mission for Jesus

Yet God has continued to bless us
Name them

TEN YEARS LATER THERE IS A LESSON FOR OUR NATION
AND FOR OUR CHURCH
It’s found in a parable Jesus told of the Wise and Foolish Builders
found in Matthew 7

Tell the parable …

WE REMEMBER THE TRAGEDIES AND THE STORMS
SO THAT WE DO NOT GROW COMPLACENT OR BECOME NAÏVE
THE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS, DEMANDING PLACE
OUR ABILITY TO SURVIVE – OUR ABILITY TO OVERCOME
DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH WE
CHOOSE TO BUILD – OUR LIVES, OUR NATION, OUR CHURCH

THE STORMS AND ASSAULTS OF LIFE
MAY BE PRECISELY WHAT GOD USES TO DEFINE US
AND TO GIVE US A GOD-SIZED, GOD-SHAPED,
GOD-EMPOWERED VISION

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ST. PAUL’S CHAPEL
As the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center crumbled during the tragedy of 9/11 and other surrounding buildings suffered heavy damage from the falling debris, one very small structure remained standing — both physically and spiritually — in the middle of the chaos.

St. Paul’s Church is located at Broadway just north of Fulton Street in downtown Manhattan, across the street from ground zero.

The 238-year-old Georgian classic-revival style building made of Manhattan mica-schist with brownstone quoins not only survived the attack on the World Trade Center unscathed, but it became the center of hope, refuge and faith in the months that followed. It became a sanctuary for thousands of volunteers, policemen, firemen and others who frequently made stops at the church, some after searching for bodies in what became known as “the pile” to pray as well as to seek comfort and strength.

A solitary day at ground zero
Search for Sept. 11 victims moves to destroyed church lot
The church served as a shelter for nine months for rescuers who not only prayed and grieved but ate and slept there as well.

THE PEWS ARE MARKED
From the heavy boots of the fire-fighter and policemen who slept on them, often too weary to remove their boots

In the weeks following the attack, well-wishers created a make- shift memorial along the iron gates that surrounded St. Paul’s by leaving thousands of pictures, notes, cards, patches from different fire departments worldwide and flowers dedicated to those who lost their lives.

Others posted pictures on the gates of loved ones lost in the tragedy, hoping that by some miracle someone might see one of the faces.

NOW—TEN YEARS LATER
GOD CALLS US TO RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
TO BEING A CHURCH THAT WORKS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO HELP PEOPLE BUILD THEIR LIVES
ON THE ONLY SOLID FOUNDATION THAT IS CHRIST

Dr Stephen L Dunn
Church of God of Landisville
September 11, 2011