Weems puts the wraps on Big Tent’s final worship with a rousing sermon on standing with siblings
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Dr. Renita Weems, co-pastor of Community of Hope Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn., preaches during Big Tent closing worship Saturday. (Photo by Rich Copley)
BALTIMORE — The Book of Genesis may spell out God’s plan of salvation. But the Rev. Dr. Renita Weems told nearly 800 people attending Big Tent’s closing worship Saturday that “sometimes I wish God would save us without asking us to participate in salvation. Just get on with it, God! But God continuously invites flawed inconsistent people to participate with God.”
Reems, co-pastor at Ray of Hope Community Church in Nashville, Tenn., preached on a relatively minor character found in Genesis 37— Reuben, Joseph’s brother, who meekly protests his brothers’ murderous intents.
Reuben says he’s not a coward — he’s just pragmatic, Weems said. “He doesn’t believe in getting into a fight he can’t win,” she said. He’s “every church, every pastor, every Christian who quotes Scripture to protect himself from acting, from making hard decisions.”
As with Reuben, “the truth is that God gives all of us the chance to redeem our mistakes,” she said. “We make our choices, and our choices make us. Reuben stands before his brother just as Jesus stood before Pilate … God invites us to step on the world’s stage and play our part. Reuben had the chance to redeem the mistakes he had made and he would not take it. The challenge for us today is to take each other’s hand and say, ‘I will stand with you through the good times and the bad times.’ Do I have a witness here?” Indeed she did, as worshipers were on their feet applauding God’s word brought to them during worship.
“Come on, Reuben!” Weems exhorted. “You still have a chance. Lift Joseph out of the pit! Don’t wait until Joseph is stolen or dies and what you coulda/shoulda/woulda done.”
While we can’t know what the future holds, we do know who holds it, she reminded those in worship. “I’m going to err on the side of righteousness and love.”
Closing worship was full of celebration. “It has been a full and wonderful three days,” said the Rev. Tom Hay, director of Assembly Operations. “The Spirit is still with us, still moving through us.”
“We have spoken about God’s great deeds of power,” said the Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter, director of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural Ministries. As Big Tent attendees make their way home Saturday, “let’s keep speaking,” Hunter suggested.
Wearing matching T-shirts, youth attending Big Tent sang the song “Over My Head” and read the Beatitudes from Matthew 5.
Communion was served by intinction. Worshipers were invited to come forward with outstretched hands so they could receive extra-large hunks of gluten-free bread.
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, talked about the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon, the first African American woman to be ordained as a pastor in the United Presbyterian Church, a precursor to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Cannon died nearly a year ago; a scholarship fund has been established in her name, and Saturday’s offering will be placed in that fund.
To donate, visit www.presbyterianmission.org/womens-ministry-fund.
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