Acts 2:14A, 22-32; Psalm 16; Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Erin Waggoner
Good Morning everyone! I’m Erin and I am a junior in high school and a member of Ascensions Youth Group. My family and I became members of the church a few years ago. I was a shy, self conscious middle schooler who did not like change, but once we walked through those double doors back there I felt immediately welcomed. Everyone smiled and shook hands during the peace, strangers talked to us as if we had been friends for years, people invited us to sit and eat breakfast with them downstairs, and Mrs. Laura Walter, the youth leader, who was super quick reaching out to me. You all made me feel God’s presence that day, and everyday since then, with your love and welcoming energy.
In the second reading Peter writes; “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” As we continue through our daily tasks and busy schedules it is easy to miss the times God makes himself present in our lives. As the verse says even though we don’t see him we love him, but, we can begin to forget or even doubt his work in us, as Thomas doubted him in the holy gospel because we cannot see him. Sometimes it is easier to see the negatives in our life that make us doubt God’s presence. Often just watching the news for too long gives me an overwhelming sense of despair and doubt. Seeing or experiencing unfair situations like poverty, addiction, sicknesses, and losing a loved one tragically can easily bring the question to mind, “Where are you God”. We ask ourselves where our loving creator is throughout these situations in our lives. We often question him so much that the black fog of doubt is blocking our eyes from God’s light into our lives.
Over the past few weeks when I was trying to write this sermon I wanted to come up with examples of God’s presence in our everyday lives. So I made a conscious decision one morning to wake up and make an effort to seek his presence all day. This small change to my mindset made a world of a difference in my mood which in turn affected everyone around me as well. I felt God’s presence in the early morning while I was driving to school. I saw his love in a conversation with my friends. His presence calmed me while I was teaching a rowdy group of little girls ballet. I was kinder to myself and enjoyed learning difficult things in class because I felt grateful for what I was experiencing. God’s presence is in every sunrise and sunset. He shows our love for us in the phases of the moon. The nature within our backyards to a national treasure like Yellowstone shows us his beauty. The emotions we feel when we come together as brother and sister in community shows us his power. You don’t have to search hard for the feeling of his presence if you have an open mind and full heart.
We visited many congregations before Ascension, but after our first experience here we knew this would be our home because of the way you poured God’s love over us. Something as simple as a wave or a hug can be a way Jesus uses us to show his presence in someone’s life. The ministry we have at this church has shown how acts of generosity, kindness, and sacrifice can bring others closer to God’s presence. I know that when I get to come up here and acolyte on Sundays I feel peace and joy. It is a deeply spiritual experience to be a part of something so important that honors god. When the Choir sings during the procession and communion I feel an overwhelming sense of joy for the Lord. The vestry and Altar Guild Ministries make these services a beautiful experience to be a part of and witness. The AV crew filming and checking the sound of my microphone from downstairs brings this beautiful experience to people at home. I know it has been a blessing for people like my grandparents (who are hopefully watching this, Hi grandma and grandpa!). The Quilt ministry brings God’s presence into homes of those who are battling sickness or life accidents. The lay eucharistic ministry brings the comfort of communion to those same people’s homes. Not only do these ministries remind them that church members are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers but God is also with them. The moment I really began to fall in love with this church is when at the end of the service I saw a gaggle of little kids run up to the front and hang off the ropes of the bells as they helped the ushers celebrate the end of the service. I saw the love of god seeping out of every individual in all different walks of life.
To finish up my Youth Sunday Sermon I humbly ask you to mindfully find small or big examples of God’s presence in your life. If you want to take it a step further I challenge you to BE an act of God’s presence in someone else’s life.