Rochester, MN UCC - "Water From the Rock" - Exodus 17:1-7
Over the last 165 years, The Congregational Church of Rochester, Minnesota has faced many challenges in our commitment to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be of service to our neighbors. This congregation has survived through devastating tornadoes, stock market crashes, two world wars, the tumult of the 1960s and 1970s and the information revolution of the 1990s and 2000s. Most recently, we have come through a years-long global pandemic that disrupted the life of our church and forced us to continue to be the church in new and creative ways when we could not gather together safely. There is fairly unanimous agreement, with data to support it, that most churches lost membership over the course of the pandemic and there are not yet signs that it will return to the pre-pandemic levels. At The Congregational Church we remain committed to our ministry, while acknowledging that even after the pandemic we continue to face a challenging time for our congregation.
After their remarkable crossing of the Red Sea to be free of Egyptian bondage, the people of Israel found themselves wandering in the wilderness. After making camp one evening, they complained to Moses that there was no water to drink. They asked, “Have you brought us out of Egypt to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” Moses appealed to God, who told him to strike a rock with his staff. As soon as he did, water came flowing out of the rock and the people had plenty to drink.
As we reflect on our 165-year history, we would do well to remember that we didn’t get here on our own. Our congregation has survived and thrived over these 165 years because God has been with us all along the way. When we faced seemingly insurmountable challenges before, God made a way for us- God made water spring from the rock. When we reflect on our present and future challenges it is important to remember that we are still not alone, God is with us here and now. God is helping us to make a way forward where it seems there is no way. Despite our post-pandemic challenges, there are signs of new life and vitality all over our congregation. We have new families attending worship, a growing choir, a committed youth group, the creation of excellent opportunities and resources for Christian education, and an incredibly generous, kind, and welcoming congregation. Even in this time of difficulty, our own journey in the wilderness, God continues to provide for us, continues to pull water from the rock. Thanks be to God!
Rev. Andrew Greenhaw