I Samuel 2:18-20 & 26
Luke 2:41-52
One fine morning, a young boy got out of bed determined to have an adventure, to see the world.
He put on his boots and coat, and recognizing the world is a pretty big place, he made himself a peanut butter sandwich, and packed this with a can of Root Beer and Christmas cookies in his back pack.
He walked up East Lake Road to Genesee, came passed the churches, came passed the park with the little house with a point on top that has no walls, and passed the fire house. As he started up the hill, he was getting tired, so seeing someone sitting on a bench in the cemetery, he went and sat beside her. The old woman did not say very much, so he filled in, telling her all about his adventure, how he had seen geese, not the geese that are regularly here, but others that are here on vacation. He told her about how green the grass was underneath the snow. He told her about snow melting and refreezing to make ice and how you could go ice skating on the sidewalk. He told her about baby Jesus and the Shepherds and all that is Christmas.

He became hungry while talking, so tore his sandwich in half and gave some to her. Opening the Root beer for the lady, he graciously allowed her to have the first sip. Then they were able to enjoy their cookies, describing which looked like a snowflake and which was a camel. After eating, he was rather tired, so snuggled up against her side, with her arm around him, and went to sleep. With a full tummy and sleeping child beside her, the woman drifted off to sleep as well. When they awoke a short time later, they recognized how late it had gotten and each went their own direction.

When the boy came in the house, his parents were frantic where he had been. He nonchalantly said “I been talking with God! You know, she is a lot older than anybody thinks.” Then he went to his room.

Meanwhile the woman returned to her home, where her son was equally as frantic, as Mom had been very forgetful of late. “Mother, where have you been? Were up at the cemetery talking to Dad's headstone again?” The woman said, “I set out to, but I was talking with God instead. My, he does talk a lot. God is a great deal shorter than anyone realizes. And all these years I thought he liked bread and wine, but it turns out he likes peanut butter and root beer and Christmas cookies!”

Would that we could each greet one another, as if speaking with God, or treat them as a gift from God. Would that we saw life as a grand adventure, where everything is exciting. Would that as adult children caring for our loved ones, and as parents caring for our children, we could feel the depth of concern and love for one another that we feel when we are anxious and worried about them. According to Scripture, Hannah and Mary and Joseph each came to the Temple regularly, to honor tradition and give thanks to God. But that for Jesus, this was more than a house fro worship, this is a Sanctuary where people can ask questions and share ideas, where no one is ever lost or alone, where each can come as they are able and find their needs addressed.

I was very fortunate to have had wonderful teachers, one of which was Jim Forbes for preaching. Jim described that as creative and innovative as you might be, you cannot come up with an idea that has not been thought and preached before! The church has been in existence for 2000 years, and humanity and faith in God, for thousands of years before that. BUT what you can do, is create ideas and apply practices that are innovative and new for you and for your community.

Someone once described that PRAYER, TALKING WITH GOD, BEING IN OUR FATHER'S HOUSE is hearing a single pure note, and trying to tune ourselves to it. Hearing a pure note or idea, or image of beauty and trying to tune ourselves to that note.

The culture around us is radically changing. This does not mean we abandon everything we know and believe, but that in addition, we find ways to reach out to others. For over twelve years, we have talked about creating a Labyrinth, to provide a space for those who are searching to pray differently. Just as we have made the church available as a place for Scouting Fellowships, for Music and Education, for Tai Chi and Yoga and Reiki, we can also make the church available for those wandering and searching, to talk to God, and find their way. This year, we will create other ways to pray and search for faith.

Repeatedly over the years, I have been told a terrible story. The story of those with a child, who wanted to share their faith with them, to have them baptized, but because they were not part of the church they were turned away.

In recent years our Session has come to a far different understanding. There have been those whom we married, who work and reside in communities far from here, but who return home regularly like Mary and Joseph and like Hannah, to give thanks to God and celebrate their faith with their child. As we have been here when they wanted to be married before God, so also we can be their church home and share the Sacrament, affirming the love of God and our prayers for their child. Bob and Laura were married here, a year and a half ago. Bob and Laura now reside throughout the year in Florida. They have given birth to a child Braden and want to share their faith and commitment for him. Bob and Laura have family in Auburn, whom they visit, and they want this to be their church. Their joining the church while living in Florida seems especially appropriate this morning, as we read of Hannah going to worship each year, and Mary and Joseph bringing Jesus to Temple at 6 Days and again at 12 years.