May 25, 2014 ~ ” Not Orphaned Not Alone” from John Knox Kirk on Vimeo.

A sermon preached at John Knox Kirk of Kansas City, Missouri, on May 25, 2014.

Acts 17:22-31
and John 14:15-31

It must be vacation time.

All of my twitter friends that either live in or have been to New York lately

seem the be head-over-heals for this musical The Book of Mormon.

It’s a commentary on the lifestyle and religiosity

of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints,

and it won 9 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

I admit to some jealousy, and I’d like to go see it.

Maybe someday I’ll get the chance.

It’s a rather unique art form, the big-production musical.

I can’t say that I’ve focused too much on the genre, but I have

seen a few myself, Miss Siagon,

Cats, Rent

my favorite being Les Miserables.

Sometimes, even here, with these dramatic productions,

we can find tools to understand our life of faith.

Take, for instance, the observation by

Union Theological Seminary professor Barbara Lundblad

who highlights the last scene of the 1960s era musical Camelot

when she meditates on this text before us this morning.

In that musical, King Arthur spins out a song

filled with memories of what had been the

most idyllic place on earth.

Alone on stage, the broken, forgiving king begs us to remember:

Ask ev’ry person if they’ve heard the story,

And tell it strong and clear if they have not

That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory

Called Camelot

Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a spot

For one brief, shining moment

That was known as Camelot. [Read more…]