St. Andrew Presbyterian Albuquerque, NM

April 27, 2014 Rev. Frank Yates

TO REMEMBER IS TO GIVE THANKS I Peter 1:3-9 The Greek word for suffering “pathos” is used more often in I Peter than in any other book in the New Testament. These young Christians in what we now call Turkey in fact endured much suffering. Their neighbors found this new religion to be quite odd, while the political authorities found them to be subversive. So they were subject to many difficulties. Think of Christians living in fear in North Korea today. That was the plight of these early Christian communities in what was then called Asia Minor. I Peter is written to these “exiles in the dispersion”, recalling the tribes of Israel dispersed in Babylonian Captivity five hundred years earlier. With so many difficulties facing these beleaguered believers, this letter seeks to boost their spirits and steel their resolve. One way to encourage these young Christians is to remind them of their exalted status in the Kingdom of God and their hope for the future. They have received a “great mercy”. They have experienced “a new birth to a living hope.” They are promised an “inheritance that can never perish”. They are “shielded by God’s power”. And so despite the temporary testing, they can rejoice in their faith which is more precious than gold. Despite their challenges, they love Christ and believe in him, though he is unseen. In the midst of this turbulence, they experience an “inexpressible joy” as they await the “salvation of their souls.” Later these struggling Christians are reminded that they are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” So they have much to be grateful for, despite the troubles they have seen. There is something quite engaging and uplifting about this outlook. It is a never give up, never give in resolve in the Spirit. It invites courage, patience, and hope. It invites these “exiles in the dispersion” to see beyond their temporary setbacks. The present moment, though hard, still has plenty of space for joy and thanksgiving. And the future is in God’s hands, the One who promises an inheritance which never can be taken away. In short, this letter is all about perspective-gratitude for what God has done for us in the resurrection of Christ our Lord. Gratitude for brothers and sisters for whom Christ died who accompany us on our pilgrim journey. Gratitude for what is yet to be, the unfolding promises gathering around the Risen Christ, who lives and reigns forever with the Holy Spirit, One God,

world without end. It is all about perspective and gratitude. That is the message of I Peter for us. And so permit me to remember and be thankful for our fifteen and half years together serving Christ in this community. This is reminiscence grounded in gratitude. I think of that first Sunday in October of 1998, driving up to St. Andrew even while a hot air balloon landed in Montgomery Park. A beautiful day, a beautiful sight, a lovely way to launch our journey so many years ago. While Sharon was born in Albuquerque, I was ordained in Las Cruces and we had visited her parents many times in Las Vegas. But we had not spent much time in the Duke City before moving here. So we had much to learn. And I learned to love this city and this congregation and this Presbytery dearly. So many things to recall with a grateful heart. I remember the day it became painfully evident that our children’s playground needed to be redone. When the old and rather dangerous playground equipment was removed, about four of us-all with doctorate degrees-tried to bolt together the new dome-shaped climbing equipment. For the life of us, we could not bolt it together. So we called Joe Mitchell and he came down and put it together in about ten minutes. Joe of blessed memory was a high school graduate and smart as a whip. Why does that stick out in my mind? Because that was in a sense the beginning of the renovation of our facility. I remember the day the building committee asked me what I wanted in the project. I recall saying, “Really, what I most want is not to be moved from my office.” As you recall, my office used to overlook the courtyard. By the way, I really do like my new office with its view of the Sandia Mountains. I remember being on a lift painting around those windows up there with Hugh Wishart about 10pm one Saturday night. Great way to get to know a great guy. I remember spreading rocks out front with Roy Stogner one hot Saturday morning. That’s when I rather absent-mindedly asked Roy why Microsoft was a monopoly. And then Roy explained it to me in detail. I did not understand a single word he said. I think of the amazing work that went into the stain glass windows that were installed in 2007. So many of you contributed to that task, as had been the case in 1982 when members of our congregation built that circular stain glass window behind me. Today we celebrate the artistry of Jen Sanfilipo as we dedicate our newest stain glass windows. The windows and the banners are all products of the remarkable gifts of members of St. Andrew. The lasting beauty of these contributions is just marvelous. I think of St. Andrew’s Fortieth and Fiftieth Anniversaries. I remember the ground breaking in 2006 when all four former pastors of St.

Andrew gathered with us for that joyous occasion. I remember the preparation of the labyrinth and the construction of our columbarium. In so many ways our facility is now much more usable and up to date. Many outside groups, including our main mission partner Share Your Care, have benefited from these improvements. And for that we can only be grateful. But the church of Jesus Christ is of course much more than facilities. The church is people, marvelous and faithful members and friends of St. Andrew. So many of you have served wonderfully as elders, deacons, teachers, singers, musicians, Famous Friends, greeters, ushers, and in many other ways. I give thanks to God that I was called to a church so rich in leadership, so deep in faith, and so committed in service to others. In truth, we have an abundance of riches and I cannot be too thankful for all of you. And I want to salute my friend in ministry from the very beginning-David Ziems, our music director. Oh the music he has shared with us, and the friendship we have enjoyed! Thank you, David. And thank you to all our staff who made my life here so enjoyable. Throughout the liturgical year your gifts have made worship so memorable, from great music to Reader’s Theater to liturgical dance to special services that moved our spirits. So many times we have worshipped in our courtyard together as the hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill. Thanks Steve and Clyde! So many times we have learned together from outstanding teachers. So many times we have been led to serve those in need within our congregation as well as those outside our community. The commitment of our deacons to help our neediest members is quite beautiful. We say goodbye to our members and friends with such a loving touch at our memorial services, something families in grief have always been so thankful for. Gail has helped us say goodbye to so many brothers and sisters who now encourage us in that great communion of saints. Our commitment to mission and social justice is known throughout the community. We have provided great leadership for the Presbytery as well as organizations like Albuquerque Interfaith and Habitat for many years. And how we have been blessed most recently by serving our park friends. Who among us could forget Chris Diamond? Chris came to our congregation years ago and began inviting his friends from the park. We thought we had lost Chris but like Lazarus he showed up again in worship. Then Chris found himself outdoors one freezing night and the frostbite in his toes led to their amputation. A difficult experience for all of us! But what a gift he proved to be, a truly bright and interesting man who had learned much and suffered much on the streets of our city. Even still Chris was one

of our most effective evangelists. I hope Chris is safe today somewhere. And I pray God’s blessing on all our park friends. I think of all the people who came to our congregation over the years, the many visitors and the many new members. So many of you have come to St. Andrew in the last decade and a half joining others who have been faithful members for decades. I remember with a lump in my throat Rob Spooner brought here by his sister Fran Jarratt. Because of Rob’s special needs, they at first sat outside those glass windows. But over time they moved into the sanctuary and finally found their way to the front row. Where they ended up was in our hearts. I remember with great fondness and gratitude our confirmation classes, most recently five wonderful young men. What a blessing they will be to our congregation and the Kingdom of God! My prayer is that many more of God’s children like baby Lucy will grace this congregation with their presence and their witness in the years to come. Thank you Deborah for your wonderful ministry to children, youth, and families. Perhaps I should end with telling you how proud I have been to introduce my friends to you the people of St. Andrew. And you have been wonderful to welcome a long parade of my friends from east and west and north and south who have come to worship with us. Without exception my friends have commented to me again and again how much they enjoyed you, how welcoming and lively you are. My friends have told me repeatedly, “Frank, you are blessed to serve this congregation.” There is no doubt about that. Sharon, Tucker, Walker, and I have been richly blessed to be in your midst all these years. Walker told me just last night how he wished that he could celebrate his nineteenth birthday today with all of you. And so what have I learned from my time with you? I have learned that God is in the midst of you. Christ’s Spirit is transforming you in so many ways to make you the servant people that you are. You truly welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you. You care about the least of these our sisters and brothers in Christ. And you put your time, treasure, and talent to work, for the love of Christ compels you. In other words, you have taught me that our faith is real. Our faith makes a difference. Our faith builds a community of love and welcome where no one is a stranger. I knew all that in my head when I came to you. You have simply demonstrated the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a thousand ways. You have helped me become a better Christian and a better person. I cannot thank you enough. And so I now join three other former pastors of St. Andrew who make Albuquerque their home. You cannot so easily get rid of us! Today I am truly thankful for our decade and a half together. Thank you

for countless blessings. Thanks for the memories. Most of all, thanks be to God. Amen.