Senior Dinner 2013

 

Thank you for being here. It says a lot for you as seniors, parents, and youth workers that you want to be here to celebrate with your church family.

This is also one of those rare times when your parents say “they know how you feel” they really, truly do. Maybe it’s been 30 years but they know about alienation, separation, fear, loneliness. They also know about joy, new life, new beginnings and a value of a faith community that has remained faithful to them.

One of my favorite picture frames was given to me by the Mallonees.  It has a picture of my mother, me and Catherine, and the caption “His faithfulness endures for all generation.” Insert your own mental pictures in the frame and that’s what this night is all about, we are products of that faithfulness in our homes, surrounded by friends and a community of faith. The theme of steadfast love explodes in the wisdom writings especially the Psalms.

 

So enjoy tonight, because the next two weeks will fly by.

Traditionally, I use a song that the words and music fits each senior class. Tonight, I will be using a song from Wreck-It Ralph by Owl City, “When Will I See You Again.”

A question some of you as parents are already asking.

If I were to summarize the charge to seniors in this song, it would be

Go see the world

Cause your futures

Ready to shine

You are ready! It’s been fun but it’s time to go, life is as it should be.

If I were to summarize the beginning of the OT it’s as if God says:

Here it is, a big, beautiful fascinating world

“Do something with it”

 

Sort of like David says “God loves you and there is nothing you can do about it but you get to do something with it.”

Think about the times you have hiked Crowders Mountain, been to the waterfall at Valle Crucis, stood at the Jersey shore or washed feet from crystal clear Lake Potomac.

 

Think about the magnificent architecture of the St. Louis Arch, building something with your hands, writing a sermon, or art in the little houses and then finding it incredibly satisfying.

 

Have you ever helped someone who needed it-yard work, fence work, shelves, housing, serving meals, decorating shoes and been amazed how meaningful it was?

Of course, because you were doing your part to make the world a better place.

God gives us life and turns us loose with it. The song says life is a trip

Look at the mountains you haven’t climbed

It’s just a matter of time

 

But before you go, just a reminder that you are called as disciples to continue to be students of life. Parents you are called to keep learning from Him how to live in God’s world, God’s way, without your students at home.  Like David said today:  “If you’re not green, you’re not growing.”

I guarantee you that the people you must admire, the ones you saw in the picture frame are people who believe that each day is a gift and thank God for it. Often times we are not changed by what we know, but by the examples of others.  Look around you tonight at the many examples you have. 

 

Jesus doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out. (Like in the song) We are always learning to fly. We’re disciples learning how to be more patient, more kind, more courageous.

The key to being a disciple is to keep paying attention to what’s going on inside you live with the conviction (Sidekick) God is with you and has a purpose for you in the world constantly pray and ask him to give you eyes to see what the next right thing to do is (he will never ever fail.)  

Now, on to more practical truths about you and your role in the world. Jesus talked about seeking God’s kingdom. Do that and the rest would fall into place.

Here’s what he means:  It’s easy to get hung up on the specifics and find yourself really disoriented and frustrated. It’s easy when you’re a teen to get hung up on the details-when you’re going to go to college or whether or not you’re going to make the team or get a certain teacher next year. And these are incredibly important things that deserve and demand tons of our energy and time.

 

But when you follow Jesus, they aren’t first!

What’s first is you being open to letting God transform you into more and more and more the person you were created to be.

 

The Bible tells the story of a God who believes in people, including teens, parents and youth workers.

 

And Jesus tells his disciples to go out and make more disciples and then what does he do?  He leaves them.

Sounds like Graduation.

He leaves them to spread his message without him, because he believes they can do it.

We trust you to go and we don’t know when we will see you again. Probably not ever exactly like this. But we believe in you-you can be courageous, generous, loving, kind, creative, daring, compassionate and honest all on your own!

 

Don’t ever forget that.

The Class of 2013 along with their families and this church are the kind of people who bring heaven to earth.

 

In a moment, your parents will wrap a blanket around you with the cross and flame. Let this remind you of our evening and our love for you.

LOL-Lord of Life. Working together to live Christ every day.