Today we are celebrating the one-year anniversary of being an Open & Affirming Inclusive Church which encourages every person, regardless of who they are or what they have or have not done to become part of and fully participate in our community.

This is the community art piece which was created at the Lancaster Pride Fest in June, and after worship you will have an opportunity to add your words to it. The teardrops are the hurts or sorrows caused by Christians and those who have been hurtful. The flowers are the hopes people have for a better community.

When I think of this piece, I think this was a way in which we tended to the sheep of our community by listening to them and giving them a way for their voices to be heard. I hope you will at least take time to read some of the thoughts on this board before you leave this morning.

Our scripture for today is near and dear to my heart. I am particularly fond of the conversation between Peter & Jesus.

But this begins as a resurrection story. The disciples or at least eight of them have gone fishing overnight. and while they are out, Jesus showed up by them onshore. Without identifying himself, he gives them the wisdom of throwing their net on the other side of the boat and they bring in a overwhelming catch. This seems to be a not-so-subtle reminder that those we are looking for are not where we expect them to be.

And then they are reunited with their Christ who breaks bread and fish with them. This story is often read during Easter time and supports the physical rather only spiritual resurrection of Jesus since he eats with them.

But I want to remind us that we are in the Gospel of John. In John’s gospel, Peter only stands out at the last supper when he initially refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. Then Jesus tells him that he will deny him three times. Then Peter draws a sword during the arrest and Jesus tells him he’s wrong again. And then Peter does deny him three times before the rooster crows.

Although Jesus has appeared to disciples since his resurrection, Peter has not been specifically named until now. So this is the first time, he and Jesus are having an intimate conversation. It’s the kind of hard conversation, I tend to call “a come to Jesus moment,” and Jesus asks of Peter, “Do you love me?”

I don’t think Peter is the only one to whom Jesus asks this question. I think within the depths of hearts, Jesus is still asking us this question: “Do you love me?”

If so, then “feed my lambs.” If so, then “tend my sheep.” If so, then “feed my sheep!”

And as there are those who are food insecure around us, I do think that means providing breakfast and buying groceries for our neighbors. I also think it means feeding and tending to another’s spiritual wellbeing.

I am reminded of a statement made by my friend, Garret Book, who works at the Penn Medicine’s Lancaster Behavioral Hospital, who said that almost all the patients there are having a spiritual crisis. They feel lost and forsaken by their higher power whether that is God, Jesus, Jehovah, Allah, the Divine or any other word they use. And they have no working support system to see them through their “dark nights.”

This is where our Compassion Team and our congregation has a role to play in listening to another – In praying with and for others. This is what we did at the Lancaster Pride Fest in June. We showed up and listened to people’s pain and their hopes.

The most significant conversation I remember was with a mother and her young child. Her child seemed to have some frustrations with communication, but I gave them the materials to make a flower. When I asked if the child wanted me to hang it up, The child tore it up and handed me the pieces. The mother who had looked nervous during our interaction became fearful at her child’s action and started apologizing. While I smiled and said, “No worries! That’s what they needed to do!” The mother with tears in her eyes said, “Thank you!” and left the stand.

That may not sound like an instance of feeding and tending, but they felt better when they left than when they arrived. That to me is what we are to do.

May it be so. Amen.
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