Jarrett McLaughlin
Quiet Glue
November 3, 2024
Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26
Cold Open:
The scene was the prestigious National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
The speaker that day was “Mister” Fred Rogers.
The National Press Club was accustomed to hearing diplomats, top administration officials, and key opinion makers at their events. With “Mister Rogers” on the podium, there was no shortage of eye-rolls among members of the club.
When Fred Rogers stood up to speak, he said that he knew the room was filled with many of the best reporters in the nation, men and women who had achieved much.
Rogers then took out a pocket watch and announced that he was going to keep two minutes of silence, and he invited everybody in the room to remember people in their past—parents, teachers, coaches, friends, anybody—who had made it possible for them to accomplish so much.
The room grew quiet, and as the seconds ticked away on the watch, “one could hear people sniffling as they were moved by the memories of those who had made sacrifices on their behalf; for the ones who had given them so many gifts” (Thomas Long, Testimony, p. 110).
Today we celebrate All Saints Day.
On the one hand, All Saints Day is a moment of silence in the life of the Church – a time to remember the ones who lived out their faith – some courageously and publicly, others more quietly and behind the scenes.
All Saints Day is also a day to consider the legacy those saints have left us – a time to assess how we are doing as those who seek to live out our faith with a similar vigor.
Our reading this morning comes from the book of Acts, chapter 1.
Scripture:
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, “Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus – for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.”
So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon:
The book of Acts is a companion volume to the Gospel of Luke.
Luke tells the story of Jesus.
Acts tells the story of the Church.
The popular narrative concerning the birth of the Church is that it happened on the festival of Pentecost; there was a great wind and tongues of fire descending on each of Jesus’ followers – giving them the ability to speak in a variety of languages.
The Pentecost narrative maintains that the Church started with flare and fireworks – which is not exactly what Presbyterians are known for.
Well, I would like to point out that none of those fireworks are set off until THE SECOND chapter of Acts. In the first chapter – you will find the disciples engaged in what could only be described as a captivating committee meeting – AND THAT IS something Presbyterians excel at.
They held this committee meeting after Jesus ascended into heaven.
He told them to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit –
but, getting a bit restless, Peter addresses the elephant in the room:
“JUDAS! What are we going to do about Judas?
He betrayed us, deserted us and now that he has died – We have to replace him.”
Peter would make an excellent Presbyterian – when there is a slot to fill, he calls together a Nominating committee. But get this. It says that Jesus ascended on the 40th day after Easter. Pentecost happens on the 50th day after Easter. Could it be that the disciples held a TEN DAY committee meeting?
Ten days to elect one, single, solitary disciple to join the ranks of the 12. Sounds excessive, but who are we kidding – Presbyterians have spent more time accomplishing far less.
Ultimately, they end up “casting lots” between two finalists – think, coin toss – and the lot falls on Matthias. You’d think this should be a major plot development. In a book about the Church, when you encounter a new character in the very first chapter, it would be reasonable to expect that we’d hear a lot more about ol’ Matthias.
But we don’t.
Acts doesn’t record any of his sermons, nor do we hear about any of Matthias’ missionary journeys.
We don’t hear about Matthias delivering a meal to church-members when they needed some kindness.
We don’t hear about Matthias sitting with the bereaved and offering comfort.
We don’t hear about Matthias waking up early to get the fire going so the rest of the disciples could be warm on a cold morning.
Matthias is not listed among those present at any pivotal moment in the life of the Church.
Matthias has no letters in the New Testament, not even a tiny one like Titus or Jude.
Paul doesn’t even give a last minute “Oh tell Matthias I say hello” in any of his many letters.
No – as soon as Matthias appears on the scene, he disappears without a trace.
—
A few weeks back I was at a Stewardship event with some church members and we were talking about UPC and Phil Hughes was there. Phil used this wonderful expression that struck me right between the eyes. He said “I think about the hidden people who make UPC such a wonderful Church – how they are the quiet glue that holds this place together.”
Quiet Glue. Isn’t that marvelous?
Phil talked about Gwen Lamb who is behind the scenes of nearly every Second Sunday Lunch and most every Memorial service reception too. Gwen may be queen of the kitchen, but that role rarely comes with a parade. Next time you look at Gwen – squint your eyes and I bet you’ll see Matthias.
Phil also talked fondly about Day McLaughlin who died three years ago this month. Day did about every job there is to do in this church twice – no to mention a number of important ministries OUTside of the Church too. Elder, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Godly Play storyteller, Vacation Bible School leader, Racial Equity team, Guardian ad litem. When I remember Day – I think about Matthias.
Matthias is the patron saint of Quiet Glue, laboring away in obscurity – never seeking attention, never asking for appreciation – and yet it is the Matthias-es who create a culture of connection, beauty and warmth for the rest of us.
Which is precisely why Matthias makes me think about many of you –
And to be clear – why he makes me think of you with deep, deep gratitude.
I see Matthias when Bob Mosteller and Kathryn Bouldin pour over budget sheets on our Administration committee so that the generous pledges and gifts that this Church community offers might be stewarded responsibly.
I see Matthias when Than Powell has kids hovering over him from every direction in the Preschool Sunday School class as he reads – perhaps a Bible story or maybe a book about dragons and how much they love tacos.
I see Matthias when Claire Curran or Kathy Culley or Sally Osmer brings a baptismal banner in with the name of a child lovingly cut out of felt upon it – some child who will desperately need to remember that they are called by name and God’s beloved.
I see Matthias when Walter Plunkett comes to trim the hedges out in front of the Church or when Leslie Hicks tends to the planters outside Dunham Hall or the Henderson Street entrance – all so that when people approach the Church they are met with something beautiful.
I see Matthias when Jay Williams wakes up extra-early to make breakfast casseroles or when Gene Rogers whips up his famous fruit bowl for Men’s Breakfast so that some guys can gather to practice the kind of friendship that does not come easy to men in this culture.
I bet many of You have seen Matthias, too.
If you’ve ever received a hot meal on your doorstep at a time when you needed just a little bit of kindness – you’ve met Matthias.
If you’ve ever received a hand-written note in the mail from Mary Norris Oglesby – you’ve seen Matthias.
If you’re a college student who’s been to Campus Ministry on a Thursday night, you’ve enjoyed a meal prepared by two students who cook for fifty of their peers every.single.week all semester long. This year it’s Mil and Anna Page, last year it was Ally and Brett, the year before that Cam and Madelyn, before that Chris and Reed. All of them are Matthias-es.
This is where I must apologize. I could literally keep us here until…well, until past election returns – whenever those might be – giving example after example of the Matthias-es that fill this Church.
They.Are.Legion.
Matthias may have disappeared from the pages of Scripture –
but Matthias certainly has not disappeared from the life of the Church.
Many are alive and well among us today.
Many more have died and joined the Church eternal.
There won’t be any plaques in their honor or buildings named after them, but they are how the Spirit holds the Church together – the quiet glue without which we might very well shatter into a million pieces.
So keep your eyes peeled – especially in these days when everything feels so fragile, tense and weary. Matthias continues to toil away in obscurity – offering care, enabling connection.
If you look real hard, I promise you’ll find them.
Sometimes it’s hard to notice what he’s doing.
Oftentimes her work goes unnoticed.
But that’s okay – Matthias never did it for the attention anyway.
Matthias does it because he once encountered Christ, and she made a decision to follow Jesus and they have not stopped serving ever since. Thanks be to God for Matthias – the quiet, Godly glue – who is always among us and, yes, even within us. Amen.