Andrea Steinkamp: "Growing Up" (Sermon for August 4, 2024)

"...but speaking truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..." - Ephesians 4:15Friends,Who's been watching the Olympics this week? I confess, I've missed most of it so far, except for a few of the preliminary events in women's gymnastics. (Can we talk about Simone Biles and what a role model she is, not just because she is a tremendously gifted athlete, but for the ways she demonstrates self-awareness and emotional intelligence and how she models a commitment to self-care in the face of unimaginable expectations. I want to be like her when I grow up!)What I haven't missed, is all the discourse around the opening ceremonies and the performance of drag artists around a long table that many in the Christian community incorrectly assumed was a depiction of the Last Supper. The moral outrage that followed was swift and intense.Come Sunday, we are going to explore a couple of scriptures together, one from 2nd Samuel in the Hebrew bible and one from Ephesians in the New Testament, both of which have a thing or two to speak into this moment. I love it when the lectionary cooperates like this!We'll also stage our own re-creation of the Last Supper as we celebrate communion, sharing the bread of life and cup of salvation and offering all who hunger and thirst for God's love and justice a place at the table. See you there, either in the sanctuary or online!Peace and love,Pastor Andrea