"One Flock"
The text of the partially unscripted version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "One Flock" (coming soon)

Sheep

I've seen several versions of that video of a sheep running into a wall. It's usually used as evidence that all sheep are stupid.

Does that mean that one person tripping and falling is evidence that all humans are clumsy?

Here are some ‘sheepish’ facts:

• Sheep tend to stay close with other sheep. If they get separated they become quite agitated and uncomfortable. They know that when they are together as a flock they are more protected from predators.
• Sheep recognize sheep faces -- and human faces to some extent. They recognized sounds and can even recognize the voice of the shepherd who tends to the flock they are part of.
• Sheep know how to choose the kind of food that will give them the best nourishment based on the season and their dietary needs. 
• All in all, the intelligence level of sheep isn't just 'not baaaaaad,' it's pretty good! (I love that terrible joke.)
  

Shepherds -- on the other hand, can be good for, or not so good for, their flock. If they care for the sheep and seek to protect them from trouble, they do what is good for the sheep. If they try to lead them astray and run at the first sign of danger -- they don't.

Maybe it's all too simple in this one. In our Bible reading for this week, John 10-11-18, the words of Jesus say, "I am the good shepherd." A shepherd that cares deeply for the flock and does not desert them when there is trouble. The good shepherd has a connection with the sheep that someone who doesn't care about the sheep can never have.

So in a very simple way of looking at things, we're the sheep -- intelligent and in need of a shepherd -- and Jesus is the good shepherd. 

We are the recipients of love and caring from Jesus. And so in this week’s Bible reading we find comfort and peace.

But . . .one line in the reading is too easily brushed over.

"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

One Flock.

Who does that include?

Everyone. – Enfolded in God’s love.

Today 2 confirmands are joining Union Congregational Church – affirming the vows taken on their behalf at baptism. They wrote statements of faith – seven other confirmands – who will join next year, wrote them as well.

Listen to some of the things our confirmands believe.

About God our creator:

• God never hates us
• God made life possible
• God is very real
• God is love
• God loves us no matter what
• God made all people equal

About Jesus:

• Jesus gave us his life
• Jesus really did die and rise again
• Jesus is the one we should follow
• Jesus could walk on water
• Jesus is the perfect role model
• Jesus cured diseases for people
• Jesus will always love us and never hate us

About the Holy Spirit:

• The Holy Spirit is with us all the time
• The Holy Spirit is there to protect us
• The Holy Spirit guides us in the right direction
• The Holy Spirit is kind of like our conscience
• The Holy Spirit is a good presence all around us
• The Holy Spirit fills us up and helps us through tough times
• The Holy Spirit helps us when times are bad

Not all of the beliefs are the same. And we don’t have a litmus test here that says, "Unless you believe this way you can not belong." And Jesus’ desire is that there be one flock, one shepherd.

Jesus gets what he wants.

One Flock.

In the pews here we have different beliefs about a whole lot of things. And we are all enfolded in God’s love.

One Flock

Peter and Paul had such arguments that they had to separate from each other. And they and all who stayed with them were enfolded in God’s love

One Flock

On the website http://thisibelieve.org, folks have written about what they believe. Here’s a tiny sample of the thousands of entries:

• Michele from Vancouver writes: "I realize that I continue to believe that reality is more than what can be measured, quantified or proven scientifically. I've decided that life infused with a touch of magic is much more satisfying."
• Justin from Pittsburgh, PA writes: "I believe in God. Not the type of god who sits back and lets the world run itself, but a God who right there wit us in everything that we do; a God that wants to have a personal relationship with us."
• Yasir Biloo from Pembroke Pines, FL, writes: "I am an immigrant, and I still believe in the basic right to be fully American and fully Muslim. But now I pray that America will keep me within its embrace."
• Penn Gillette – the famous guy, writes: "This I believe: I believe there is no God."

All the folks who have written about their beliefs on thisibeleive.org are enfolded in God’s love.

One Flock

• Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Agnostics, Atheists

All enfolded in God’s love

One Flock

• Gay, straight, bisexual, transgender

All enfolded in God’s love

One Flock

• Natural born, naturalized, immigrant, undocumented

All enfolded in God’s love

One Flock

• People who do good, people who do evil, people who don’t care

All enfolded in God’s love

One Flock

How can I say that? Am I saying that all religions are equal? Am I saying that it doesn’t matter what you do or what you believe?

I’m not in charge. I’m not the judge of the world.

God – the one in charge. LOVES THE WHOLE WORLD.

And God desires that there be one flock

How do we respond? We live as if we believed that – that everyone is precious to and enfolded in God’s love. Everyone – no exceptions.

The whole world is enfolded in God’s love

One Flock.

Close with prayer.

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