Rev. George
Miller
Oct 25, 2020
2 Samuel
7:12-14a
Once upon a time there was a
couple from Commack named Carol and Herb.
Carol was an awkward new
girl from Brooklyn who was teased by those who were secretly jealous of her beauty.
Herb was the geeky guy in
glasses who was more interested in things like camping and cowboys than girls.
Their romance began the day when
he dipped her ponytail into an inkwell.
It continued when every night, he’d walk Scout the dog past her house.
Herb drove Carol crazy but eventually
he won her over.
For their first date he took
her to Smith’s Point Beach. She made 3
dozen deviled eggs.
He sung to her love songs
from Broadway shows, she bestowed upon him with over the top gifts.
Eventually Carol and Herb
got married and they raised 4 children.
He shared his love for music by rolling down the car window and tapping
out the beat on the roof of the car. She would pass the time by telling the
kids stories.
Movies were a big deal. Every time a Disney filmed was released, the
whole family went.
Every night the family gathered
around the table, and they would talk about topics like religion, politics, veteran
affairs, not always agreeing but demonstrating that questions and difference of
opinions was OK.
Herb and Carol often took their
kids to the beach. He’d play music all
the way there, tap tap tapping along.
She’d pack mounds of food in coolers filled with ice packs.
As the sun went down, she’d
set up the picnic table with items from the cooler- chips, dip, crudité, iced
tea, Italian bread. He’d grill sausage
and peppers.
Every five years they’d take
their family to Disney World. He’d work
mad overtime. She packed toys for the
car ride and snacks beyond snacks…
Though they were not
perfect, I am everything I am because of the things they gave to me.
As a childless person, I was
worried those things were going to die with me.
Then something wonderful
happened.
As many of you know, since 2012
I’ve been blessed to have Cornelius and his sister Carmel’la in my life.
From day one taught them
that “Life is all about being in the right place at the right time and how you
treat others.”
I’ve watched them grow. It’s been a joy; it’s been bittersweet.
To see them go from being
kids who hung on my every word to independent teens who prefer looking at their
phone and listening to their ear buds.
Since COVID our relationship
has changed from outings to the beach, movies, and Disney to only going to the
gym, but it’s made us even closer.
One day as we were driving
to the gym, I commented on the music Cornelius was playing and how much I like
it.
To which he said, “Well in
many ways the music I listen to is your music.”
Another day Carmel’la was reminiscing
about our trips to Disney and said “I wish we could go back. I didn’t appreciate it as much as I should
have.”
Every time we go to the gym,
I bring a mini-cooler with ice packs and treats for us to eat post workout.
One day I went to the gym,
carrying my cooler like I always do.
Cornelius was already there
with two of his friends, broing out.
Carmel’la was there with her best girlfriend gossiping, giggling, and
comparing phones.
I let them have their space.
But what I observed was that
Cornelius and Carmel’la were embodying the very things I had tried to teach
them.
At one point, Cornelius went
over to the cooler, took out the ice packs and called out to me from across the
room, joking about how I over pack. Without
asking, he proceeded to share the snacks with his friends.
It was at that moment that I
felt a profound sense of peace sweep over me.
My Mom, who had once packed
3 dozen deviled eggs, would’ve been so proud.
I realized that even though I
don’t have biological children, my legacy will live on. Through Cornelius and Carmel’la everything I
am, everything I know, everything I tried to teach them, will live on.
Not only that, it also means
that all the good parts of my mom and dad will live on too.
Through these 2 youth, I now
have the assurance that my legacy will live on.
Even if I was to go to sleep that night and never wake up, I had the
comfort of knowing that my legacy and my parents’ legacy would live on.
Legacy.
That’s what today’s reading
is about.
King David has been busy securing
his legacy. He’s become king of the northern and southern kingdoms.
He has armies, wives, money
galore. But he senses he must do
something more- build God a temple, a permanent place to dwell.
To which God says “I have
never asked you to build me a building. I
am content moving around with you, being free.
One day your family will build a sanctuary for me, but for today I am
with you in your coming and going.”
Then God says “David, don’t
you worry- your legacy will live on. The
promise I made to all your ancestors who came before will live on through your
family.”
God says, “I will be with
your son and I will love him forever.”
Legacy.
Such a valid theme for
anyone who has walked this earth.
Do I matter? Did I make a
difference? Will I be remembered?
If David, Israel’s greatest
king, worried about this, how much more so do we?
Legacy.
There is personal legacy, family
legacy. There is also church legacy.
Think of the legacy we have
here at Emmanuel.
30 years ago we were birthed
as a progressive presence in central Florida, a House of the Lord in which we
have a passion for God and compassion for all.
Our founding pastor, Rev.
Loffer, focused us on justice and community ministry. Rev. Carrell brought in intellectualism and
deep thought. Rev. Lauks embodied extravagant
pastoral care.
Legacy.
Think of the Moderators we’ve
had over the past 11 years.
Glen, who was passionate
that we see ourselves as more than a winter church.
Stephanie, who brought
real-world passion and made us more active in the FL Conference.
Tracy, who saw us through so
many topes during times in which the path seemed rough and rocky.
Diane, who leads with a
strong, focused vision of fiscal responsibility, accountability, and showing
up.
Legacy.
Marg who kept the administrative
boat afloat through so many changes of leadership and ensures the history of
Emmanuel is remembered.
Ruthie who has brought us
into 2020 with social media, online giving, and new ways of outreach.
Legacy.
Connie who brought poise and
conciseness into our music program.
Maureen who brought soaring
vocals and a focus on grace.
Ken who brought big smiles,
big voices, and rhythm.
Ari and Carnide who brought
in other languages, a sense of Sabbath and joy in the midst of a pandemic.
Legacy.
Think of Emmanuel UCC and
what our legacy is and what it is becoming.
Thanks to the creativity of
Sue, every worship service starts with
“We are Emmanuel, we love we
give we share. We show God’s Holy Spirit through the ways we care. Our challenge
is at hand. In faith and strength, we’ll stand. So that our witness to God’s
light will shine across the land”
So that our witness to God’s
light.
God’s light.
What is light?
Light is that which provides
warmth and welcome when things seem dark.
Light is that which shines
upon the corners that need work, the cracks that need attending to, and the places
where dust waits to be swept away.
Light is also that which
illuminates the path, that shows the way ahead, the future, the promise, the
possibilities.
Legacy.
King David thought his
legacy had to do with what he built; God reminded him its what he does and how
he lives.
I give thanks for the legacy
that Carol and Herb passed on to their children.
I give thanks for Cornelius
and Carmel’la who will carry on their legacy, as well as mine.
We give thanks for all those
who came before- Rev. Loffer, Carell, Lauks, Connie, Sue, Ken, Glen, Marg,
Maureen, Tracy.
We give thanks for those who
are with us today- Diane, Ruthie, Carnide, and Ari, our Anniversary guy.
We give thanks for each and
every one of you who are here right now, and for those who ware watching from
home, and those who are yet to come.
For through you, our legacy
will continue.
It’s not just about me, it’s
not just about you- it is about us,
with God, through God, for
God,
continuing this legacy that
began with Sarah, Rachel and Hannah, and continues through us today.
Peace and love, Amen.
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