One of the great privileges that I have in my position as a staff person within the Eastern Synod is being present on occasions like this - participating with you as you "Celebration with Thanksgiving And Praise - that Your Hearts and the hearts of hundreds, more likely thousands - have been Touched By God’s Grace" through 75 years of congregational life together as the family of God here at St. Ansgar’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Montreal. St. Ansgar’s holds special meaning for me - my very first official act as an Assistant to the Bishop was a Conference meeting here, and I am delighted to be back with you, once again representing our Bishop.
As you know it was impossible for him to be here because of a previous commitment, but he asked that I bring you his personal greetings as you reach this milestone in your life and ministry. I also bring you greetings and best wishes from everyone who serves you as staff in our Synod Office, and especially from Pr. Guenter Dahle, who remembers the dedication of this worship space very well because of the incident with the window! I also bring you anniversary best wishes from that large faith family of which you are an important part - all your sisters and brothers throughout our Eastern Synod.
Anniversaries are special - whether we are talking about wedding anniversaries or anniversaries of congregations, because, in my book, an anniversary means, among other things, that those involved have done the hard work necessary to stay together and work together, even though life together can be difficult and challenging at times. Surely, as you celebrate this milestone in the life of St. Ansgar’s, one of the things for which you "Celebrate With Thanksgiving And Praise" is that the members of this church, pastors and people, down through the years, did the hard work that was necessary to make and keep this congregation a place of lively ministry. It was not always easy. Ministry seldom is. That’s why one of my favourite anniversary stories - it is my turn now, Pastor Sid - is of a couple who were celebrating 30 years of married life together. At dinner the wife picks up her glass for a toast, she looks lovingly into her husband’s eyes and says, "In spite of everything." Sam Levinson (now I am dating myself) Sam Levinson once said that, "Love at first sight is easy to understand. It is when two people have been looking at each other for twenty-five years that it becomes a miracle." The Anniversary of a Christian congregation is, among other things, a commitment to a unique community, to the body of Christ, the family of God, a commitment that persists, that is faithful to each other, a commitment to work and minister together to the glory of God even though it’s often challenging and great demands are placed upon us. This unique commitment is modelled upon that amazing commitment that God has with each of you. In today’s Gospel we hear our Good Shepherd, Jesus, promise that he knows his sheep - that he gives them eternal life, that they will never perish and no one can snatch them out of his hand. What a promise! And to keep it, God’s love, Jesus’ commitment had to know no limits; had to be a love that is "in spite of everything;" a love that took him to the cross and grave so that God’s loving forgiveness and grace might freely be ours. This is pure grace - in spite of everything!
This gracious love sets the tone for our commitment to each other in the church. How unusual is this community, the Church, the family of God. It is a community that we did not choose! In Christ Jesus, God acted to chose us, when Baptismal water flowed over our heads and when we received the precious gift of faith. WE didn’t choose to be part of God’s family. The Church, St. Ansgar’s congregation, is at its best when it welcomes everyone, and especially, when it does not reject those who don’t necessarily "fit in." Following the example of the shepherd who so intimately knows and accepts us, we commit ourselves, not only to God and our Lord Jesus, but we commit ourselves to one another - in spite of everything.
The Kitchener area Larc group, that is Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic study group heard Reginald Bibby speak early this summer. He pointed out how important it was that Christian faith communities - like St. Ansgar’s - in the face of formidable difficulties, more forward in hopeful ways in our world - a world that, especially since the events of Sept. 11 of a year ago, is so despairing. How can you be together in your journey in ways that offer hope?
Many of you, I suspect, are familiar with the great classical violinist, Itshak Perlman. Most of you also know that he suffered from polio, a debilitating childhood disease that made it necessary for him to walk with crutches. When he performed, it took him some time to make his way to the center of the stage for a concert - and it was necessary for him to be seated while he played. The story goes that one evening, he slowly made his way to his seat on stage, sat down, removed the crutches strapped to his arms, and then nodded to the conductor to begin the orchestral music. He had just begun to play when, suddenly, one of the strings on his violin snapped. Everyone in the audience heard it - and they all pulled in their breath at the same time. What would he do? How would he repair his strings? Would he call for help? It would take him a long time for him to get up to secure a new string and then return to begin again. But instead of leaving the stage, the great musician sat quietly for a few moments and composed himself. Then he again nodded to the conductor to begin. Forthwith the wonderful musician began to play - and everyone realized that they were witnesses to a marvel that night. As he played, he transposed the music so that he could play with only 3 strings the music that had been written to be played on four strings. And rather than allowing that difficult task, that almost impossible task, to get him down, his music soared as if the challenge inspired him to greater accomplishment.
It is not easy being a Christian today (actually, I doubt that true discipleship has ever been easy). It is a lot of work being an effective congregation in today’s society. I don’t have to enumerate the challenges. BUT - if we focus on what we do have, by God’s grace - focus, as it were, on the three lively strings we do have to play rather than on the one that might be broken, then, God will indeed continue to bless St. Ansgar’s. I believe that to be one of the gifts of ministry that Pastor Samuel has brought to St. Ansgar’s - he has helped the congregational leaders and all of you to lift up and celebrate the gifts you do have, by God’s grace. It is not necessary to dwell on the negative - but use the challenges to inspire commitment to renewed ministry.
And surely, that is what as been happening here at St. Ansgar’s down through the years. The pastors and congregational leaders and members have lived and proclaimed the love of God on three ministry strings, as it were, gifts of God’s grace in their live, and they have done so to the glory of God. I visited your web site in preparation for this weekend, and reading through the "Short History of St. Ansgar’s Church" posted there, words like "Great Depression," "Hand-to-mouth existence" and "World War Two," jump off the page. I am sure none of God’s people here 75 years ago or in any of the succeeding years, would have said ministry was easy. Lots of challenges. And yet, God blessed it - and has made this congregation a blessing.
You should expect nothing less as you venture forth in new, and equally challenging ministries in this new century. Ten years, forty years from now, by God’s grace, the children who are here today - the children in whom we took such delight this morning, together with some of you, will be able to lift a glass, and smile into each other’s yes, and say, "In spite of everything" - Our Hearts have been Touched By God’s Grace... We Celebrate With Thanksgiving And Praise."
Congratulations and may God continue to bless you and keep you.
Rev. W. Phil Heinze
Assistant to the Bishop
Eastern Synod, ELCIC