We are continuing with our four weeks of celebration this morning in a series called “Hallmarks of the Christian Life,” based on the book of Philippians.  Last week we talked about the first aspect…Giving thanks and receiving joy.  The second hallmark is…humility. Humility??? Some of you may be thinking of tuning out about now…but hang in there with me.  This is one that is worth celebrating.

A few weeks ago as I sat with the Womens’ Bible study group and asked them what they would like me to preach on for the four weeks while Bob is away, they responded unanimously… “We want celebration!” Celebration, I thought.  Sure…it’s summer and it’s time to celebrate for all that we are and all that we have been given and all that we bring to life.  And so, for the next four weeks…we will be celebrating…celebrating our lives and our faith.  And what better book to ground it all in but Philippians, known by many as the most joyful book of the scriptures.

     This story found in Luke is not one of the "classic parables" which I will be exploring with you during my summer sermon series this year. In fact, some may question whether or not it is even a parable at all. But this tale involving fishermen, drawn from the working world of Jesus’ audience, is a pervasive one. Indeed, this powerful metaphor of fishing pervades not just the Gospel narratives, but also the creative imagination of the whole church down through the ages.

Renowned Greenwich artist Carol Dixon will open at Les Beaux Arts Gallery at Round Hill Community Church on Sunday, May 11th.   About forty related art works in several different media will be on display.

     In this reading from Luke, Mary responds to the life-changing and, in her culture, potentially life-costing news that she – a yet-to-be-married teenager – is to become a mother. She responds with a song that has come to be known as the Magnificat. It is an emphatic song that asserts that however things might appear, God considers the unique value and worth of everyone, even one such as she, a handmaiden of the Lord who was of "low estate." In the Magnificat, we are given a picture of the God who transforms the realities that we so often do not dare to challenge.

Back in February, when I was in the airport traveling to Disney, my eyes fell to the cover of an issue of New York Magazine.  The words glared back at me…”Why Kids Lie” it said.  It was the cover story by Po Bronson.  Unhesitatingly, I bought it, having very normal 8 year old who regularly tests her limits.

(Inspired by a sermon by Susan R. Andrews)

     Susan Andrews tells the story that in 1957, some Buddhist monks in Thailand had to relocate a large clay statue of Buddha. This was made necessary because a highway was being built that would run straight through their temple. When a crane began to lift the huge statue, a loud crack was heard, and at same time it began to rain. The head monk, who was afraid that the Buddha would be permanently damaged, asked that the statue be lowered to the ground and be covered with a huge tarp.

     Some time ago, a story from the New York Times began this way: "Fakes are a fact of life in the art world. They slip into even the finest museum collections and auctions or gallery offerings, usually one at a time." And, as we well know, fakes are also a fact of life elsewhere. Hollywood mogul Samuel Goldwyn was reported to have said, "The most important thing in acting is honesty. Once you’ve learned to fake that, you’re in."