May 21....

Recently I heard someone in their 20’s tell me that most of his friends, even with partners and spouses, do NOT want children.   What a contrast that is from my experience when I was at that age. 
I remember dating a woman who was one of 11 children, and while dating her, she became one of 12!  And if I recall correctly, most of my friends all wanted children (though maybe a few less than 12 :)  
My parents tell the story that in my Dad's proposal to Mom he hoped for 17 children. And Mom still said yes!! (though they only had 8 children, including twins that were still born, and my younger sister that was adopted).
I remember meeting a person once who was mother to 16 children.  And when I asked her to name them, she named off 14, and then said, “Oh wait!  I forgot…(and named the other two )
     That's quite different from those who do not want any children! And w
e could go in several directions on this, pointing out probable reasons for why or why not to have children.  But here’s the point I’d like us to consider for a few moments:  community.
    Merriam-webster defines “Community” as “a unified body of individuals; people with common interests living in a particular area; a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society”
     The most obvious example of community is a family.  But perhaps more people are now looking for community beyond a family of parents and children,  I’m sure we can come up with all kinds of communities.  And it won’t come as a surprise that I’d look to the church as community :)
    The Scripture readings for this Sunday all include community:  
Isaiah 6 showing the Lord on His throne surrounded by angels singing praise to God, and Isaiah is brought into this glorious community, and then sent out to bring in others.  
Romans 8  The Triune God adopts us as “children of God”, making us joint heirs with Christ!
John 3 begins with a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus (a community of two) and ends with Jesus as Savior of the world.  And so the community of ALL people whom God loves and by His extravagant grace does not condemn, but comes to save all the world.
     So no matter whether you have a family of one, two, or 16, we ALL are a part of the family of God!  We see this at Resurrection in our inclusion of all and love for one another.  And this community of people whom God loves and includes in His grace and salvation reaches beyond the walls of RLC!  
    I so appreciated Matt Short’s words at the Assembly, “I am Asst. to the Bishop for Evangelical Mission.  And those last two words means “Good News, including more than just us”.  And this Sunday’s Gospel reading says it well, “God so loved the world…that the world might be saved through Him”.  
   My fellow redeemed:  we have a lot of work to do:  sent out to reach ALL the world!  With the abundant, ridiculously extravagant love and grace of God for ALL PEOPLE!  Now that’s an awesome community!!