"Happy Anniversary, Grace!" I have a feeling Monaco's Prince Rainier uttered those words on each and every 18th day of April, from his wedding day in '56 until his wife's untimely death in '82, "Happy Anniversary, Grace." And his wife, Grace Kelly, would no doubt respond in kind. I'm not sure if these words, "Happy Anniversary, Grace," were ever spoken from a pulpit, but they sure are appropriate this morning. Forty-five years ago today, the very first worship service of this congregation was held at a store adjacent to what is now the Jefferson Valley Post Office. And so, Happy Anniversary, Grace.

We are the youngest Lutheran congregation in the counties of Westchester and Putnam; We are the largest ELCA congregation. Grace, you are large. Certainly the Prince never spoke those words to his wife "Grace, you are large." If he did say it, he only said it once. Even a prince needs to keep a careful tongue. But I say it with impunity: Grace, by Lutheran standards in the northeast, you are large.

You know what though? I wish we were the smallest Lutheran congregation in Westchester/Putnam. I wish we were the smallest congregation of any Christian brand, not only around these parts, but in all the world. I wish all churches were larger than we are right now, because that would mean that the Church of Jesus Christ would be very healthy indeed. There is no glee for me proclaiming Grace is large, because we're not that large. Jesus deserves better.

I think I can put my finger on the reason we are as large as we are - we have ignored the words of Jesus. From 9/13/64 through 9/13/09, the members of this congregation have made the conscious choice to ignore the command of Jesus, the red letter words of Jesus, so prominent in our Gospel text this morning, Mark 8:30. That has to be the reason, or at least, a primary reason we are the largest ELCA congregation in Westchester-Putnam: you chose not to follow the express orders of Jesus. We ought to print a bumper sticker for every family car, in this our anniversary year: "Grace Lutheran: Jesus compels; we refuse to comply." Sure would make some people curious, wouldn't it?

Let me quote Mark 8:30 in context: "Jesus ... asked them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Peter answered him, 'You are the Messiah.'" And here is Mark 8:30: "Jesus sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him." And my point is simply this: congregations cannot and will not grow - if her members grab hold of these words of Jesus not to tell any one about him. I'm so proud of you on this anniversary day: Jesus compels; you refuse to comply. I am correct, am I not? We have grown as a congregation because you've told friends and neighbors about Jesus - against his wishes, of course.

Last week I mentioned what seems to be a sad truism about American life - many people are reluctant to talk about religion and politics with their friends. To that I say, "Holy cow." I mean, how can we ever share our faith in Jesus Christ if we fear offending our friends by even bringing up his name?

With tongue-in-cheek I suggested that we are a healthy congregation because we disobey the command of Jesus not to talk about him. But forget tongue-in-cheek: this is important stuff. If enough people shy away from talking Jesus for fear of offending friends - we may be the last Christian generation. If you're not convinced, listen to St. Paul in this paraphrase of Romans 10:13: "'Everyone who calls, 'Help, God!' gets help. But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear, if nobody tells them?" (Eugene Peterson, The Message) If you want to keep Jesus a secret, "mum's the word." But if you want to share with a hungry, hurting, broken world the truth about Jesus Christ, mum most definitely is not the word!

Now I have to admit that it is a lot easier for a pastor to speak about Jesus with both friends and neighbors, family and strangers. It goes with the job description. I was at the Yorktown Grange Fair on Friday morning, on stage with a mike in hand. I was asked to give an invocation ... invoking God's presence. My first words of greeting were about religion. It was simple. I was decked out in black, with my little plastic collar (our former vicar, Owen, once called that little plastic tab, "insert-a-priest." People not only expected me to talk about religion, they knew that was precisely the reason I was on a stage in the first place. Their only disappointment was my utter inability to do anything about the soggy weather.

But if you go to the Grange Fair this afternoon (after our picnic, of course), chances are you'd feel a little less comfortable talking about Jesus. But maybe if you did talk about Jesus, I suspect your words would have much more impact than mine. People expect to hear about Jesus-talk from a pastor. They may be dying to hear about Jesus from you!

Adam and Jennifer are going to make a promise this morning - several in fact - all having to do with telling their daughter Lila about Jesus. Nowhere in the Baptismal liturgy do we mention Mark 8:30, "mum's the word." It's not mum for this Mom and Dad; rather it's bring her to church, teach her the prayers, give her a Bible, so that Lila learn to trust Jesus. Then, by her life and by her lifestyle, Lila will proclaim Jesus to this hungry, hurting, broken world. And you know what? If all goes according to plan, Lila is going to be a voice some time, some how, some where, a voice helping some church grow!

Jesus told his disciples, "Take up your cross and follow me." Did you ever consider that your cross might be as simple - and as daunting - as speaking about Jesus to friends and neighbors? And without insert-a-priest as a prop. I mean speaking about Jesus with merely love on your tongue and concern in your heart. It is with confidence that I say, Jesus wants you to.

Forget about Mark 8:30. Jesus needed to keep his identity a secret for the short term, because the religious leaders of Israel and the secular leaders of Rome were gunning for him. They were so frightened of his growing popularity, and so paranoid that the concern of Jesus for the down-and-out would upset the apple carts of the up-and-in, well: the claim that Jesus is the Messiah would bring an early end to a promising ministry. There is still tons of preaching, and healing, and feeding to do. The suffering and dying will come all too soon - but after the dying would come the rising, on the third day. And then people will understand - at least some. He is the Messiah of Israel; Lord of lords and King of kings; the very Savior of the world!

Some days after his Resurrection, it was no longer mum's the word. "Go into all the world..." Jesus tells his followers. "Go into all the world...," and all the world might even include your next door neighbor, or your closest of friends. "Tell the people what I've taught you. And - I will be with you." Sure, it's a scary proposition to talk about religion, but remember the promise: "I will be with you." So go. Share the story. If it offends a friend - well, a true friend ought not be offended. If it angers a stranger, well - nobody is saying that sharing your faith is easy. But hold on to the promise: "I will be with you."

As a community of Lutheran Christians in northern Yorktown, Jesus has been with us these many years, and God has blessed our efforts. Jesus has been with us through the words of the Holy Bible, through the words of the preachers, through droplets of water at the font, and the grain and grapes at the altar. And it all started exactly forty-five years ago today. Grace, Happy Anniversary!