From our psalm for today (Ps. 84):

Happy are they who dwell in your house!
They will always be praising you.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you. . .
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height,
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

I don't know about you, but that text lights my fire!

Today, we think about Jesus' parents presenting their newborn son to the Temple priests in Jerusalem. In the absence of Jewish baptism, this presentation was a rite of purification and dedication. The presentation also affirmed the centrality of the Temple and Temple worship in the religious life of the Hebrew people.

And here we are, gathered in our church this new morning…presenting ourselves to God and affirming our commitment to Jesus… not only in our personal life but also in our communal life as members, one with each other, here at St. Paul's.

When people tell me that they do not need a church - or they find the church to be dispensable because of the church's errors, or incompleteness, or lack of integrity or follow-thru, or whatever… When they tell me, "Who needs the church? I can worship God in nature"… When I am told that we can maintain a close personal walk with God without a community of faith, I tell them, "Of course the church is fallible and off base a lot… and God is beautiful and present in nature … and a close, personal relationship with God is essential … BUT, Jesus had all these things, YET Temple and synagogue worship were irreplaceable in his spiritual life and discipline. Jesus could anguish over the misplaced priorities and unacceptable behavior present in the church of his day, but he would not let his religious traditions go. There were strengths and wisdom to be had in his Hebrew traditions, and, though he knew the problems, his institutional religion also provided the spiritual grounding and vision on which he fashioned his faith and teachings. He was a Jew, as well as a son of God, and the organized faith and worship of his day, held a vital importance in his heart and beliefs. We, in the Christian tradition, do not hear much about the "church" aspect of Jesus' faith and life, but it is true.

Like Jesus before us, we need the church, even though, like Jesus, we also need to improve and strengthen our religion and community of faith. In this parish, we should not just address our problems; we must draw on our strengths and Christian traditions. Our experiences of what works, and what does not, in our faith community - along with our vision of the needs of the church and the world in the future- bring direction to our effectiveness as a gathering of Christians in the present day. Over the course of many years now, I have come to believe that any spirituality without an organized tradition - without a "church" expression - has no legs (or staying power.) What do the "Lone Rangers" of faith do without the strength of a community of faith? They usually burn out in time and fall by the way. Each of us needs the energy of God in community when we feel down or are shaky or confused. As parishioners we also need the perspective of God in the great theater of the world when we are tempted to believe that we can live our life at St. Paul's with God as just our personal chaplain.

Happy are they who dwell in your house!
They will always be praising you.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you. . .
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.

Today, as we present ourselves in St. Paul's, we are happy to be here together praising God. We are a congregation whose strength is in the communal Christ, as well as our personal Jesus. We affirm this today as we start a new chapter in our parish life and history. It is in the strength of our parish that (as the psalmist wrote) our "hearts are set on the pilgrims' way."

Some of you today might be anxious for answers concerning our parish future. You can be confident that, in time, answers will emerge. But, consider this: The writer of our psalm this morning did not ask for answers. This Singer of Songs found happiness in dwelling in God's house. This Singer of Songs found strength in God by joining others whose "hearts are set on the pilgrim's way" We are the Lord's congregation, and we are on the road of life together! What more do we essentially need or want at this moment? Let us all dwell in happiness in this House of the Lord! Together, let us experience the strength of God on the pilgrims' way.

Some of you have expressed the need for healing. Those who feel this need deserve healing, and our hearts and planning go out to you. But, again, please hear the Singer of Songs today.

Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height,
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

Often, in the church and in the outside world, I know people who fear the desolate valleys. They shrink from them, and, when this is not possible, they think the valley is unfair. They complain about the darkness, and see no value in it. They try to by-pass the valleys, instead of going through them. And the blessings of the present valley are lost. Where is it written in scripture that faith guaranties us a life free of problems? What the gospel of Jesus Christ promises - as attested to by hundreds of millions of Christians - is not freedom from difficulties and sorrow, but but freedom from defeat!

The psalmist says "Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs." He is saying that it is in the darkness that space is made for new waters of life. It is in the darkness that new beginnings are born. It is in the darkness that a new order of priorities emerges. It is in the darkness that we often find our true way.

Most of you know that last year, Carol and I lost one of our children. Carol lost her mother, step-mother and her uncle. I lost a sister, and we both lost a dear, dear friend. And I am here this morning to tell you, when you stop trying to blame the darkness, but look deeply into it with great expectations, you will see great light. As in the beginning of the universe, the word of creation comes through the darkness, and, as St. John said, "The word shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." How you experience darkness in your life depends completely on whether or not you believe that darkness is the deep way into light.

Please do not believe that the healing waters need to be found outside this church. They are here! Those who find themselves in a desolate valley will find that God has turned your pain into a place of springs in this place. Those of you who search for God and comfort in this church will find that, whatever the valleys, we are surrounded with pools of living water at St. Paul's. All we need to do is reach out for the healing grace… claim it…allow the Holy Spirit to do its work … and move forward.

As I draw to a close, don't you love that old Methodist hymn, based on an African-American spiritual? (The 22^nd verse in the 8^th chapter of Jeremiah was the inspiration).

"There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole:
There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged,
and think my work's in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.

Don't ever feel discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend,
and if you look for knowledge,
he'll ne'er refuse to lend.
If you can't preach like Peter,
if you can't pray like Paul,
just tell the love of Jesus,
and say he died for all."

"Just tell the love of Jesus, and say He died for all." This is the love that binds us and heals us - all together- in this parish and the great world church. This is the Jesus love that ushers in the dawn today at St. Paul's, and promises us a bright tomorrow, and an even brighter future.

So now, Sisters and Brothers, allow me to give our Singer of Songs for today the final word:

Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height,
and the God of gods will reveal himself in Zion.

You have Jesus' promise that, in his Holy Spirit, the family of St. Paul's will climb from height to height, and God will be revealed in our faithful midst. Let us happily and faithfully continue the journey together- today!

Amen.