Saint James UCC of Hamburg, NY

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Genesis 1:1-5

Preached by Pastor Alva Looze
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"In the beginning", is a story about God's creation. We all have stories and it seems especially at family gatherings the old, old stories get talked about. I know that this Christmas as we were sharing stories I asked my sister, "did you remember when dad was given a bull for his birthday. We called him Oscar and then all cried when we had to send him out to be butchered". My sister Julie could remember but didn't remember his name. It may be the telling when your families first came to this country. I may be many generations back if you had a longer past in this country than I do. It maybe stories of how your grandparents met, the first child born, the first house that you bought or the first job.

These stories are passed down from generations to generations and help us know where we came from and our faith bases, our family values, what our goals in life are and our dreams.

Some families are great at writing these things down; some families pass them orally, or by photographs. Now with computers, cell phones and CD's there are new ways of keeping records. Our family does scrap booking and I said to my daughter the other day, "who's going to look at all these books?"

This morning we read from the beginning of the Bible, Genesis. These are stories about our faith family, about our ancestors of faith, where they came from, their hopes and dreams. Genesis tells us stories about Adam & Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and God's covenant with Noah. It tells us about Abraham who was so faithful and obedient to God and when God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac he was willing to do so.

Genesis tells us about Sarah being past childbearing age and God giving her a child. We read the story about Joseph and his coat of many colors. How he was sold into slavery and then provided for his family. The last story in Genesis, the story of Joseph's death.

Today we are going to explore the creation story "in the beginning", Genesis Chapter 1 where God began. This beginning is summed up beautifully in Isaiah 45:18 "The Lord created the heavens, he is the one who is God! He formed and made the earth; he made it firm and lasting. He did not make it a desolate waste, but a place for people to live. It is he who says, "I am the Lord, and there is no other god." This story tells us how the world began and that God began it. It was God who tells us "the earth was formless and desolate and was gulfed in total darkness". God commanded, "Let there be light and light appeared. Light is necessary for making God's creative works visible and life possible. The creation, as fashioned and ordered by God, had no lingering traces of disorder and no dark and threatening forces arrayed against God or man. Even darkness and the deep were given benevolent functions in a world fashioned to bless and sustain life.

Everything God created was good. There is a saying that you have all heard "God don't make no junk." Every being, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea and every person has their reason for being. Each of us is so special and God wants to be a part of each of our lives and are we willing to let Him be? No matter how bad we feel about our lives and if we let God, He can create order in our chaos and with God there is always hope.

We also have responsibilities to make something of the world we were given. Genesis 1:28 Each of us is created in the image of God and given the responsibility to continue to created, to make something good of the world that God has entrusted to us. We each have a responsibility the earth and all that is on it.

Creation is a step in faith. Genesis tells us stories about people. It is first and foremost an account of what God has done. It begins with God creating the universe, and it ends with a promise that God will continue to show his concern for his people. Throughout the book the main character is God, who judges and punishes those who do wrong, leads and helps his people and shapes their history. This ancient book was written to record the story of a people's faith and to help keep that faith alive.

Today as we look around we are truly blessed with what God has given us. Each one of us has a warm home, food on our tables, and most have employment. Sometimes we take for granite what we have been given and are unhappy that we don't have more. We truly are a blessing to God. He tells us "you are my child and I love you! You are precious in my sight!" Today we talked about baptism to our children and if we really think about it God entrust us, and empowers us with the Holy Spirit to bring the good news to the poor and to spread his love. It is by God's grace that he calls us to join him in His work. Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism so the Spirit descend upon those who are baptized in Jesus name. To live in the Spirit is to share, here and now, in "newness of life".

One church's sign had this message on it: "When you pray don't just say "God, here are my problems, but make sure also say, "Problems, here is my God!" Every day we have the opportunity to invite the Creator of all life into our lives. We are given the opportunity to trust that God can work all things for good no matter how chaotic or hopeless our lives may seem. God is still speaking, still creating, still healing, still loving in way we may never fully understand. God invites us to be part of this creative process.

Today take a walk down to the Assembly Hall. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of juice, a muffin and/or a piece of coffee cake. Look what God is doing here in this church. Here with the people you know and love. See where you want to be of service, here at James or in the wider church. Be thankful for the gifts you have been given come share, try new things and know that God is with you all the way.

Prayer
Creative God we ask you to guide us to share our love and talents with one another..

Amen.