May 12, 2024

            Indianola Presbyterian Church, Columbus

  "Please Leave Only Your Footprints "    

Sermon by Rev. Trip Porch

May 12, 2024                                                                                                               Based on  John 16:4-16, & Luke 24:44-53

I was recently on the beach in my hometown and was reminded of something iconic from my childhood that I haven’t thought about in a long time. 

Trashcans.

Well specifically the signs on the trashcans out on public beaches that read: “Please Leave only your footprints" 

It’s a powerful statement, especially for a trashcan to make, and it’s a helpful reminder to have as you walk off the beach. 

It makes you take a moment to consider all the things you have and if you are leaving anything behind.

It makes you ask yourself how you are leaving the beach environment in general…
What impact did your time on the beach have, are you leaving it the same as when you found it? Or better?

Or did your presence here somehow worsen the environment, by littering or leaving trash.

Please Leave only your footprints

In preparing for worship this week and in picking out cover art, I noticed something really interesting. There was a, apparently, a fairly common trend in how medieval manuscripts depict the scene of Jesus’ Ascension. Something that I hadn’t ever noticed before. The story tells of the risen Christ leaving the disciples. How he leads them out as far as Bethany, where he lifts up his hands and as a last act he blesses them, before leaving them and being taken up to heaven.

The scene of the art work shows typically looks like this A crowd of disciples looking upward, and then the artist depicts show Jesus’ feet floating into the clouds above, you can still see the nail marks still on them, a sign that this took place after his death and resurrection. But then right below him
left on the ground among the disciples, right at the center of the frame you see his footprints.

Its a subtle artistic choice that clearly was popular at some point in history.

I tried to search online in art history forums to learn more about what was behind this choice,

But here’s what it evokes for me.

I think this imagery is intended to make us ask a question.

What mark did Jesus leave behind?

What impact did his time on earth have?

And what has he left us with, here on the earth?

For those of us who remain, Its an important question to ask… what did Christ leave behind.  Because when Jesus ascended, he didn't just leave footprints – he left a whole revolution of love, justice, and hope imprinted on our world, a revolution that he hoped would continue on and outlast him.

Jesus’ time on earth wasn’t just about what he could accomplish, it wasn’t just about him, but about the legacy that would live on past him through his disciples, through us. He's not just vanishing in this story. He's ensuring his message – his message of radical love, of challenging the status quo, of lifting the downtrodden – lives on.

I think this is why his last act is a benediction, a blessing, a sending out of those closest to him to continue his work.

Here's the beautiful truth, friends: Jesus didn't just leave footprints. He left us a roadmap. He left us a mission statement. He left us a fire burning bright within us,
and he left us with the Holy Spirit, to carry that mission forward.

In another gospel, John's Gospel, In Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples on the night before his arrest, he speaks of the what else he’s leaving behind… the Advocate, as he says, the holy Spirit who will come after him, and continue to be present in the earth, to serve as a guide, as a friend, to help them discern what is right, and just.

The Holy Spirit isn't a replacement of Jesus, but rather a continuation and expression of his presence. It's the divine companion, the one who will guide us, comfort us, and empower us to continue Jesus' work. To build his kingdom, to dismantle systems of oppression and war, to lifting up the marginalized, to love our neighbors – whoever they may be – radically and fiercely.

So it is clear… Jesus left the world with way more than his footprints. 

his Ascension isn't an ending, it’s a baton pass. Jesus entrusted us, his disciples, then and now, to carry the torch. We are called to be the living footprints of Jesus in the world. We are called to challenge injustice, to advocate for the voiceless, to embody that radical, unconditional love.

So, let's go forth, not with a sense of abandonment, but with a renewed sense of purpose. Because the Holy Spirit walks beside us, a constant companion. The teachings of Jesus continue to serve as our guide. 

May we get to the end of our own life, and look back to consider what marks we’ve left and see our own footprints we’ve left.
Not of selfishness, greed, hate, or anger
but of service, of love, of justice. 

Then we will know we’ve followed in the footprints of our lord.

May it be so, amen.

WE GATHER IN AWE AND PRAISE 

PRELUDE                        

INTROIT                          “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”                      Ludwig van Beethoven

WELCOME                                                                                                 Rev. Trip Porch

  One: This is the day that the Lord has made

  All: Let us rejoice and be glad in it                         

*OPENING PRAYER  

God our strength, your presence among us shows your great love for us. And so with great joy, we worship you. Your grace poured out for us continues to overflow, abundance that fills our souls and continually guides us. We yearn to build a community of faith in which we can flourish, so that, embracing this good news and guided by your spirit, we might share your grace and mercy with others. Hear our prayer. Amen.

* HYMN 265                           “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”                                              DUKE STREET 

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                              Marie Boozer   

One:  God of Grace, you call us to be different from the world,

All:  but the world is seductive, and so we come here to be strengthened.

One:  God of Vision, you hold before us an alternate way of life,

All:  different priorities, different loyalties, different values.

One:  But we know that the world is not only seductive but powerful,

All:  and so we are drawn in to following its priorities,

         accepting its values, showing loyalty to its gods.

One:  God who blesses the meek, the peacemakers, the merciful,

All:  forgive us when we lose sight of these qualities,

         when we misunderstand their role in the world.

...time of silent prayer..

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Rejoice and be glad!

God is gracious and God offer blessings. God calls us to life in the world,

God offers us the chance to explore how to live out God's vision.

We are called, we are forgiven, we are blessed.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

*RESPONSE OF PRAISE 243                       “Be Not Afraid”                                       BE NOT AFRAID

*PASSING OF THE PEACE                                       

       One:   The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

All:      And also with you.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD                           

ANTHEM                                    “Praise the Lord”                                                   Florence Price

Praise the Lord, all ye nations, praise the Lord, all ye people.

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever.                                                                                                    Text: Psalm 117 (KJV)                                 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION                            

SCRIPTURE John 16:4-16

“I didn’t say these things to you from the beginning because I was with you. But now I go away to the one who sent me. None of you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet because I have said these things to you, you are filled with sorrow. I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will show the world it was wrong about sin, righteousness, and  judgment. He will show the world it was wrong about sin because they don’t believe in me. He will show the world it was wrong about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. He will show the world it was wrong about judgment because this world’s ruler stands condemned.

“I have much more to say to you, but you can’t handle it now. However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own, but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and proclaim it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine. That’s why I said that the Spirit takes what is mine and will proclaim it to you. Soon you won’t be able to see me; soon after that, you will see me.”

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                                                             Trip Porch

SCRIPTURE Luke 24:44-53

Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”

He led them out as far as Bethany, where he lifted his hands and blessed them. As he blessed them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem overwhelmed with joy. And they were continuously in the temple praising God.

Holy Wisdom, Holy Word

Thanks be to God

SERMON                                                                                                   Rev. Trip Porch

WE RESPONDD TO GOD’S WORD 

*HYMN  insert                            "For Your Gift of God the Spirit"                             BEACH SPRING

TIME OF OFFERING   online giving is available at  www. indianolapres.org/give

OFFERTORY

OFFERTORY RESPONSE  609  “Praise God, from Whom All Blessing Flow”                       

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

  Lord of our life, you left many marks on this world, and the world is a better place because of it. With the gifts we offer, may we be a part of your legacy of love, justice, and new life that we help to foster in your kingdom. Amen.

*HYMN 303                     “God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian”                   CHURCH UNITED

TIME OF COMMUNITY SHARING

MOMENT FOR MISSION                   B.R.E.A.D.                                                    Susan Shockey  

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

CHORAL RESPONSE    “Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”         18th century Sicilian melody

POSTLUDE                                 

Acknowledgments: Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and music are printed and broadcast under OneLicense.net license #A-702452