Two months ago, as final frost farewells bid adieu to Des Moines, making room for Spring, my wife dove into year two of a new-to-her hobby: gardening. She –

tilled ground,
leveled soil,
installed fabric,
added mulch,
planted seeds.

The seeds we hope will bear bumper crops of strawberries, watermelon, lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, zucchini, squash. We also planted multiple types of peppers that will, with some tlc, become our hot sauces for the year.

We water, but only when it doesn’t rain.
We weed, but the fabric works, so not much.

Mostly we go out, in the evening, to see how our garden grows. We then head back indoors for dinner, tv, video games, bed. In the morning, we rise and go outside once again. We gaze in wonder at every small change we perceive, noticing new sprouts, new flowers, new fruits, new vegetables, new growth, new life.

Text
Our gospel parables today read similarly. The kingdom of God is that scattered seed. We sleep and rise, night and day, watching seeds of the Spirit sprout and grow. We too gaze in wonder at every small change we perceive. How do those seeds do what they do? We leave that to our Creator.

Christ continues with another parable. The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. Common. Small. Yet, when planted in the right conditions so much becomes possible. The mustard bush can grow as big as a house. Birds flock to its branches. There they find rest, shade, food. They seem to love its little black seeds. Eating them, the birds fly away, spreading those seeds all around.

Some of those mustard seeds fall on fertile soil, and sprout up, full of life. They then too have the potential to grow tall, draw birds to their branches for shade, rest, food. The cycle repeats.

Christ explained the parables to his disciples. But they must not have understood it. Because later that day, when evening had come, the thirteen traveled by boat in the sea. The winds whipped up, tossing the ship around. Jesus kept sleeping. So worried were the twelve they awoke Christ, proclaiming we are perishing! Jesus then commanded the storm to calm. And it did. Turning to his shipmates he then asked two simple questions: Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?

Today
Here at St. John’s our garden continues to grow quite well. We celebrate:

• a 13% increase in dollars pledged for our budget this year. That is a bump of $75,000 annually compared to 2023. And, for the first time in many, many years we celebrate passing a balanced budget too.
• an expanded focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Last weekend we joined an ecumenical PRIDE worship service downtown, we marched in the parade, we interacted with hundreds at our Pride booth, handing out swag, sharing smiles. We made it clear God’s love is for all.
• an expanded focus on caring for the unhoused. Last Monday Kris Gregerson led the initial meeting of our newly formed Unhoused Ministry team. Sixteen people gathered, sharing their passion for this marginalized population. There were clergy, city planners, social workers, nurses, marketers, all making plans to do more. We make clear God cares for all.

The seeds of St. John’s for many years have included Christ-honoring commitments to –

• financial giving
• inclusion
• care of the unhoused

Each a part of who we are.
With each we continue to grow.

Not too long ago this congregation relied on interim pastors and had no called clergy. Then, in June of 2022, came one. Then, four months ago, a second. This month we add a pastoral intern who will be with us these next 18 months. And we are all very much excited about that.

Earlier this month we said farewell to a beloved worship director. Yet here too exists the potential for new growth. For the seeds of one full-time role have yielded two positions: a full- time Director of Worship, Organ and Choir, and a part-time Saturday Organist. A budget neutral change too, I might add 😉.

With God’s help, and perhaps some patience both roles will be filled soon.

Receive the wisdom of scripture, beloved.
Do not be anxious about anything.
For the kingdom of God grows all around.

With it we receive shelter, rest, care.

Sleep well. Dream in full color. Then, in the morning, rise and go out excitedly into God’s garden. Gaze in wonder at every small bit of growth you perceive. Notice new fruits, new energy, new life.

Celebrate this growth, for it is all around.

It continues what has been, is, and forevermore shall be. The cycle repeats.