A Sermon by Jeff Kollar

Harundale Presbyterian Church

Glen Burnie, Maryland

January 28, 2001

Text: "Do not say, "Iam only a youth…"

Jeremiah was God’s reluctant messenger. He, like a few others we’ve come to know in the Bible, was frightened, insecure, and doubtful. Why was God calling him? After all, he was only a boy. If you read Jeremiah, you’ll learn that he was arrested, put in prison, nearly killed. But in the end, he was the survivor. He followed Go.

"Do not say, "I am only a youth." Or as the pew Bible says, "I am only a boy." Or as other versions say, "I am only a child."

My message today is not just for the youth, but for everyone. But let’s begin with the youth.

Today many of the Communicants are taking part in this Worship Service; some of them for the first time. And I am sure that some of them were reluctant to speak in front of this congregation. After all, they are only a youth. Let’s face it---It can be quite intimidating standing up in front of all these older people here today. But God can do anything with us if we just allow Him to. And you’ve allowed Him to take your collective voices and speak to us in worship this morning.

However, it doesn’t stop here, kids. There’s work to be done for this church. Get involved. Volunteer. I know it’s difficult when you’re going to school, but the Summer is available to you. The Church and the life of this Church does not shut down in June, July, and August. We need you.

What can I do? I am only a youth. We now have Youth Representative on the 3 Boards of this church. Michael is the youth on the Board of Deacons. He’s involved. He’ll be a Fifth Sunday Duty Deacon and he’ll help with Communion. Get involved. Join the choir. They’re always bugging me. The need some young voices. Besides, according to the Spire article, it’s bring down the average age of the choir to 59. Get involved. Help in the kitchen on Monday and Thursday. This church feeds the hungry on those days. You can help set up, serve, clean up, or mingle. Get involved. Send cards to the people on the Prayer List. They’ll appreciate a card from you. Or better yet, visit someone who is shut-in. I know that they want visitors. They’ll greatly appreciate it. Get involved. Bring a friend to church. Introduce that friend to church members. Bring that friend back to this church more than once. Get involved. Get to know the people of this congregation. They dress funny, talk too loud, play weird music, have strange hairdos, and generally don’t understand your funny dress, your loud talking, your weird music and your strange hairdos. Remember, you are loved by God unconditionally. Don’t be reluctant. Get involved. Truly be a part of this church.

And that brings me something that the youth are not even thinking about. For many of you will not always be a part of this church, but this church will always be a part of you. Let me explain.

The Bible I read from this morning was given to me by the church where I was baptized, where I became a communicant, where I was married, and where my daughters were baptized. But when I came to this area to teach, eventually this became our church. However, during the last weekend of September, 1997 my mother died and the four Kollars decided that we would be in Worship at that church on Sunday morning before my mother’s viewing at the funeral home that afternoon. What an experience that was! The old people remembered me, only a youth back then. They greeted me with open arms and spoke of my mother. I was filled with gratitude that morning. And a realization came over me that the old people hadn’t changed. I sure hand. But they didn’t. And they remembered me. Why was that? Was I involved as a youth? Not as much as I probably should have been. Oh, I was always a Wiseman in the Christmas play. But I suspect that was because my mother made sure I had the most colorful bathrobe. I could let my hair grow long, they’d paste a beard on me and I was ready for the play. Of course, here at Harundale, in the plays I’ve been involved in; now I let my beard grow long and they paste the hair on top of my head.

I think Sunday School and being present in Worship Service was my involvement in those days. But it was enough to get me started. Even if I was only a youth. Did I get a lot out of those Worship services as a kid? Probably not. As a matter of fact, I thought I was going to be kicked out of church after one particular Sunday.

My friends and I would go to the Dairy Bar and buy some candy in between Sunday School and Worship Service. We usually ate it at the store, but for some reason we brought it into the Sanctuary that day. Now my friends and I always sat in the Annex. It was off to the side of main church and if I sat in the right pew, my parents (who always sat in the last pew of the main church) couldn’t see me. Strategic positioning. The Annex was small and had beautifully polished hardwood floors and small wooden pews. There was no carpeting to be found. No curtains or drapes. Nothing to muffle any sound. So generally we were quiet. Well, on that particular Sunday, the Sermon was about to begin and one of us thought that to be the time to share the candy. Not just any candy, but a box of Redhots. Hard, red candies that had burned the tongues of many mortals. I opened the box quietly, only to have the other end fall open and tens of thousands of hard, red pellets fell to the pew and hardwood floor. The whole thing probably lasted 4 seconds, but it seemed like an eternity to us. Time stood still as 4 teenage boys sank slowly out of sight. But we all came back new week ---without candy, to be sure.

So, what am I telling you? Certainly you don’t have to be perfect to be in worship. But be in worship. Get involved in the life of this church. Get to know the congregation. Many of you will go on to other churches, but you’ll always be a part of this church. And the older people will welcome you back with open arms.

At the beginning of this message, I said that this was not only for the youth. So here’s the part for old folks. Do not say, "I am only a retired person" or "I am only a nurse" or "I am only a government worker" or "I am only a teacher" for you have much to offer. It says on the back of the bulletin each week that you are the ministers of this church. So you might say that just by being here, you are involved.

But let me tell you something. These young kids are watching you. They’re listening to what you are saying. As I said before, I worked with kids for 30 years. I think I know a little bit about them. And let me tell you; they can spot a phoney a mile away. So you have an important task each day. You are (and I know the words are overworked) role models for the youth of Harundale.

What can these kids learn from you? They can learn to love God like you do. They can sing praises to the Lord as you do. They can see your genuine love for others as you dedicate flowers to loved ones. They can see the hugs and kisses we exchange at the passing of the peace. Just as I considered myself a role model for my students in each 55 minute class, so to are you role models for 55 minutes in worship each Sunday.

But what about the rest of the week? How can you be something other than "only a teacher, machinist, government worker, factory worker, etc."

Be an Ed B. He’s out in the community spreading the word of God. Ed introduced me to Opportunity Builders. Since Ed needed a big mouth to act as auctioneer at a fundraiser at O.B., he called me. Now I had no clue what this Opportunity Builders was all about; but Ed soon showed me. And kids---Ask him to take your of their facilities. You’ll see mentally challenged men and women performing many task. You’ll hear them call to "Mr. Ed" and you’ll see them hug this big bear of a man. As you take the tour, you’ll see God’s love in the people who work at this facility. And you’ll develop an appreciation for people like Ed B.—not "only a retired person", but one who’s involve.

Be a Chris W. Chris prepares all the meals every Monday and Thursday at this church. Believe me, she’s a one woman dynamo. The food closet on the stage in the Fellowship Hall belongs to her. I had no clue what the kitchen and food closet were all about until I stated working with Chris. And kids—Ask Chris if she needs any help. She’ll recruit you. And don’t be reluctant. You can do no wrong in the kitchen with Chris. I can guarantee it. You’ll quickly develop an appreciation for Chris. Is she involved? You better believe it. Does she love God and her fellow man? For sure!!!

Be a Carleton B. He’s not retired!! He still works. But he has time for the youth of this church. He’s responsible for this class of Communicants. That’s a pretty important job that Carleton has. And kids—get to know him. See him in worship each Sunday (right up front—don’t you dare sit in his pew!!!) with his beautiful family. You’ll see the love this family has for each other and for God.

Be a McDonald’s Minister. Most of these guys are retired and they could be doing other things. But most days they are here working at the church. They also work in the community. These guys love what they are doing. And kids—get to know them. You’ll see men doing work for the glory of God. These are role models to be looked up to.

Be a Lowell H. I happened to be here on some of the days when Lowell was working on the Columbarium. What a labor of love that was. Lowell meticulously measured and cut and sanded and shined his tribute to his and Maryilyn’s son. Read the plaque on the Columbarium. It says it all. Talk to Lowell and Marilyn about it.

Be someone who dedicates flowers that appear on the altar each Sunday. They give out of love. And many times they don’t take these flowers with them, but leave them for those who are unable to be in worship because they are ill or shut-in. And for the last year, Marla and I have delivered flowers to these folks. And kids—we’ve learned a lot about people in those visits. We’ve learned that people want to be visited. In many instances, they are very lonely. They want us to stay. To talk. Just to be there with them, even though we don’t know much about them. You can visit the sick and shut-in. You can learn from these people.

One particular couple that we visited a few weeks ago showed us most of their hobbies. Both were suffering from illnesses, but their spirit was remarkable. She hooked rugs and he worked with wood by stripping and refinishing. Their works were marvelous. We enjoying seeing and hearing about them. It was an uplifting visit for Marla and me. And as we were leaving, the husband said, "Hope you enjoyed your visit." We said we really did and he continued by saying, "You can tell people at the church that you visited with a hooker and a stripper today." What a marvelous spirit they had.

Be a Martha E.. What a marvelous person. Such a positive human being. Have you seen and heard her play the bells? I admire her for her tremendous abilities. Have you seen and heard her when she plays the bells with Shiela R. and Barbara R. The next time they’re playing, be sure to look carefully. You will notice something that I didn’t realize until the last I saw these three play. And here’s what I saw. Shiela and Barbara didn’t play a single bell. Martha is so talented that she played all of the bells. Watch the next time they get together. You heard it here first.

Be a Marvin P. You know the bulletins you get every Sunday? He folds them, he organizes them, he gets them ready for worship every week. Along with his wife, Monelle, Marvin is the folder extraordinaire. And the monthly Spire? He and Monelle organize a motley crew on the morning of the fourth Tuesday and Marvin cracks the whip as the crew prepares the Spires for mailing. I realize that is this area we think a lot about the Orioles and of course the Ravens. But where would we be without the Peacocks?

I could probably name everyone in this sanctuary and what they do for the Glory of God, but Clara T. told be not to be too long winded. Suffice it to say that this congregation gets the job done.

Just like Jeremiah, many of us could be messengers of God. But we’re reluctant. The first time I ever spoke in front of my peerss was at this church 15 years. The first time I ever spoke in front ever spoke into a microphone was at this church. Before that time, I was scared. But this church and congregation took away my reluctance. God was telling me to use my voice and to act goofy and to be a child. And I thank Him for that. And now He and Clara are telling me to sit down. Praise God and this congregation. Amen