Have you ever been ask to do something that you thought was just impossible? The boss wants you to get that report finished by quitting time today? Impossible! Your honey wants you to help her get the house cleaned, the snow shoveled, and be ready by 5:00pm when surprise guests are arriving for dinner. Impossible!

In your middle age you find that you have to get a new career because your job has been phased out. impossible! Have you thought of something yet that at first felt like it just couldn't, wouldn't happen, but then you mustered the courage, you got the time, you did what was necessary. And what seemed impossible became a reality.

In tonight's scripture reading we have the account of God coming to a young man named Jeremiah. He is told that God has chosen him to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah's immediate response is basically "Who Me? I'm too young to do it. I won't know what to say." Similar words spoken by Moses when he was chosen to save the people of Israel from their oppressors. Similar words spoken when the disciples were ask to leave their fishing boats and follow Jesus. Who Me? I'm too young. Who Me? I can't speak well. Who Me? I don't know how to do that. And in all of these situations the words came back "I will be with you". Have courage you don't have to do it alone. I will make a way -out of what seems like no way. I have a plan for you. I will empower you. It will happen.

The year was 1975.  Six people gathered in the Martin Luther King Jr. room at University and City Ministries at the corner of Fifth and Bellefield Avenues, in Oakland. It was on that day that the Metropolitan Community Church of Pittsburgh was born. An unlikely group of people were ask to bring words of liberation and freedom to an oppressed people. Who Me? Yes you - I have the words for you, I have the good news, I will plant it in your life and you will share it with others. And so it began. The doors opened and over the next 29 years hundreds of people would learn that they are not alone. Hundreds of people would be given hope in the face of oppression, in the face of aids, in the face of alienation, in the face of shame and guilt. A people born, a people saved, a people given a mission. Some of those called would say "I can't... I don't have the time.  I can't... I'm too old,  I'm too young. I can't... I'm too far in the closet... But if we're suppose to do it - God will take care of the can't. And so you and other like you have been willing to commit of your time, talents, financial resources to provide a ministry of presence in our world. By your words, through you deeds, in your lives others have found life. So what now? Are we done? Can we sit back and rest on our laurels? I think not. For I would suggest we have only just begun.

This past week close to 3000 households received a copy of the flyer that is sitting on your seat through the Gay and Lesbian Community Newsletter. Some of those flyers will go in the garbage. Maybe those people aren't ready, maybe they have a church home, maybe they've been too scared by religion to give it a thought. But for others the seed has been planted. Someone has said we are the best kept secret in Pittsburgh - well that has to change. There are so many people who need what we have found. Those 3000 households are just the tip of the iceberg of the number of people who need to know about God's all inclusive love. God has given to us the good news of liberation and has called us for such a time as this. You only need to turn on the TV, look at the news, or read a newspaper to see our time has come. ! received an email this week with an article attached from the New York Times that was talking about same sex marriage and the work our denomination has been doing in this area. The time is right for us to give back to God the love that has been given to us. You are each needed to share your gifts, time, financial resources, and talents in active ministry. You have something to offer that no one else can do, say, or be. The love you have received is a light for all to see in your life as you go about your daily activities.

I was sitting in the dental chair this past week getting my teeth cleaned. And you know how it is when your in that position you can't really carry on a conversation. All of a sudden the dental hygienist says to me "I got the flyer about your church in the mail yesterday." She went on to recount a brief story of her own coming-out journey and that she had passed on the flyer to a minister at her parents' church. I didn't even get the chance to say a word while she went about her work, but our witness spoke for itself. You just never know where you'll be or what you'll be doing when someone comes along who needs our ministry of presence.

During this week, as we prepare for our anniversary celebration next Sunday, take the time to thank God for all the ways God's presence and MCC Pittsburgh has touch your life. Take the flyer on your chair with you and give it to someone else or hang it up somewhere that it will be noticed. The most effective way to get people to join us at church is to invite them. Pray about what you want to do in the church over the next year that will help us to realize the vision God has entrusted to us. Look in the mail this month for information on our annual pledge drive and indicate the ways you will help in our ministry. The answer to the question "Who Me?" is us. God has called, God has chosen, God has given to us the vision: Empowered by God, United in Diversity, Creating Change. Let us go forth to live that vision.