| October 18, 2024 “From The Farm Show” If you didn’t know it, last week, Monday to Friday, was Manheim’s Farm Show. For years, Ruhl’s Church has had a sub stand at the Farm Show. For the past few years, I have had a big role in running the sub stand, along with my indispensable partner, Steph Heisey. (Which means Dave Heisey too!) To say we spent a few hours at the Farm Show would be an understatement. Understandably, when there is a special project that pops up and takes a lot of time, some things that you normally do have to take a back seat for a bit. For instance, last week, I didn’t get in any of my normal morning walks that I try to do. There was something else that got called into question - this weekly column. I was pretty sure, at the beginning of the week, that I wouldn’t be able to do a column in addition to what I was doing at the Farm Show. But I kept thinking about it. At one point, it came up in conversation in the sub stand. “What could I write about for a column?” “Why not write about lessons from the Farm Show?” (At another point it was also suggested that it could be what I preached on Sunday - but that was already accounted for.) Well, as I suspected, it was too much to write last week. So, here today, I am going to share a little bit - From the Farm Show. There are many things that one could note. As I stood in the Sub Stand watching people go by, and in the moments that I walked around to take it in for myself, I saw many things. Over time, two things stood out above all; two things that I think relate very directly to the church. First of all. Here was community. There was a cross section of people from all walks of life, coming together around a common event. Young and old, male and female. There were families, couples, singles, and groups of friends. You saw people who clearly came from an agricultural background. You saw people who were clearly from white collar jobs. There were police and first responders. There were teachers and students. There were people from all walks of life, who are part of the larger community, who came together. There were even, I saw on several occasions, people who “weren’t from around here.” Really not that far away, I saw people sporting sweatshirts, etc., advertising from “rival schools.” At Ruhl’s Church, we often describe ourselves as a “family.” Many churches do. There is reason to by virtue of literal family connections. And, then too, there is allusion to family as a way of describing believers and church in the Bible. But the church is more than a family, even a large family, everyone connected on the same family tree. The church of Jesus, fully understood, is so much bigger. It encompasses all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. In Heaven, it will be the largest community of believers ever. Here and now, we need to be careful with the image of family that we don’t exclude those who wish to come and join. The church, here and now, should be a place for all to come and gather together. The second thing that I will note is this - You have to show up. The Farm Show went on for five days. Lots of people experienced it. Lots of people had fun. Lots of people were blessed. But you had to show up to see the parade. You had to show up to see the farm games. You had to show up to participate in the Make it and Take it. You had to show up to see who else was there. The other day, I talked to a person who was sad, he had to work all week. So, Saturday, he went with some family to take it all in. Well, you see the problem, don’t you? Saturday, the Farm Show was over. There were some tents to take down, and other clean up to be done. But you weren’t going to see any exhibits, or animals. You weren’t going to get a sub, or cheese steak, or fries, or a milkshake, or anything else tasty to eat. Sadly, he missed it. In the Church, there is so much for so many, but you don’t get it if you don’t show up. Now, you don’t have to worry that it only comes once a year. But there is a lot you miss; if you don’t show up. And yes, there are ways that the church tries to extend itself to people who cannot come, especially those who have been a part of the fellowship. But the fullest experience comes when you show up. Those who consider themselves followers of Jesus, but don’t show up, choosing not to show up, miss a lot. Thinking back, all in all, it was a great week. Again, thanks to all who came together to help us with the sub stand that raises money for our youth program and for short term missions. Hopefully, all can look back and appreciate a wonderful week of community. Hopefully, you had a chance to be there and be a part. Until next year, may we consider anew the opportunities you have all year round in the church community. Come, be a part of this great thing and be blessed. Grace, Mercy, and Peace, Pastor Blaine. |