This Sunday is Heritage Sunday as well as confirmation Sunday. Heritage Sunday occurs on the Sunday closest to John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience. For the non-Methodists, John Wesley, a priest in the Anglican church, struggled with feeling assured of his salvation. He had been preaching mostly to the poor and also to the Native Americans. When he returned from the colonies, he attended a class meeting at Aldersgate. Someone was reading Martin Luther’s commentary on Romans and John felt “his heart strangely warmed.” At that moment, he knew that Christ had died for him and that he was saved.
Since that time, Heritage Sunday has taken on differing meanings. Often it is a time that we recognize those who have been a member of the United Methodist Church 50 or 70 years. I do feel it is important to recognize the contributions of those who have been part of the church for a significant time. I also believe that it is important to recognize all members regardless of years. So this Sunday, we will confirm that confirmation class of 2011 who will become our newest professing members as well as our oldest member. For we are all called into ministry the young and old, male and female. The work of the church depends on the talents of all the gathered body of Christ.
We also need to remember that Heritage Sunday honors John Wesley who on May 24th received the assurance of his salvation. May we also have the same assurance of God’s grace for each of us as we celebrate this Sunday.
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