Each one of us has a faith story. Each one of us carries a story of Jesus; a story of how his life and ministry has touched us, challenged us, and shaped us. Even if we don’t share it very often. Or at least not outside of a church setting. Part of my faith story is now these 3½ years of being with you. And part of St. James’ story is my ministry with you. Our stories have become woven together. And while we are not all called into ordered ministry, we are all called into ministry. So this morning, I want to ask a question: Where do we locate ourselves in the story of Jesus? And where do we, as a faith community, locate ourselves in that story?Jesus’ ministry begins, in Mark’s gospel, at the waters of baptism. Listen to these words:

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.

Just last week, we baptized Ali. It was a Spirit-filled morning… A morning filled with God’s grace. And so I wonder: What is the story of your baptism? Do you remember it? Have you been told it?

Where do you locate yourself in the story of Jesus’ baptism? Where do you, as a faith community, locate yourselves? Are you one of those who had gathered to hear John the Baptist; that charismatic, strange character out in the wilderness? Or are you one of the onlookers, waiting to see who would be greater than John?

In the story of Jesus’ baptism, God’s presence is unmistakable. The heavens are torn open. The Spirit descends. And Jesus is named beloved. And I want to remind you that God’s presence has been unmistakable here too.

If we ask where St. James has located itself in the story of Jesus, I think the answer is this: you have located yourselves wherever courage, creativity, compassion, and welcome were needed. I have seen it in the ways you embraced creative worship.

• I have seen it in Wellness Wednesday for Seniors.

• In baking bread together.

• In Open Streets Dartmouth.

• In the ways you continued to adapt: pews removed, coffee upstairs, dust and chaos everywhere.

• And always, in your almost complete turnaround in hospitality.

• I have seen Christ in you: in your courage, your care for one another, your willingness to change, and your commitment to keep showing up in love.

There are many stories of Jesus’ ministry we could choose from: stories of healing, teaching, feeding, travelling, and transformation. And if baptism is one place we locate ourselves in the story of Jesus… in belonging, blessing, and belovedness… then there is another place many of us may locate ourselves right now: in the boat, in the storm, trying to keep steady in uncertain waters.

This story from Matthew’s gospel is one of my favourites. You have heard me preach on it before:

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Some of us… perhaps many of us… are feeling rocked by the waves of changing church culture and structure. Some of us may be hunkered down in the boat, just trying to survive. Some of us may feel as if we are drowning. Some of us are terrified and crying out in fear. And maybe that is where St. James finds itself too. Somewhere in the boat. Somewhere in the wind and the waves. Somewhere between fear and faith. Somewhere longing for steady ground.

Where do you locate yourself in the story? Where do we locate ourselves in the story? No matter where you locate yourself, remember this: Jesus comes. Jesus always comes. He comes saying: Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid!

Jesus walks into the storms and turmoil of our lives, reminding us to keep our eyes on him and on the way he lived. A life of courage, creativity, and compassion. A life that told stories to encourage and uplift. A life that told stories to challenge and provoke. A life that gathered people in. A life that made room. A life that kept choosing love and justice, again and again.

And that means you have stories to tell too. So go, tell your stories. Tell your stories of a faith that sustains you. Tell your stories of lives transformed. Tell your stories of courage, creativity, and compassion. Tell your stories of friendship and community. Tell your stories of love and justice. Tell your stories of a church that kept showing up: in worship, in care, in hospitality, in change, and in hope.

Because God is not finished with you.God is not finished with St. James.

God is not finished with the church.

God. Is. Not. Finished. With. You.

Thank be to God for the challenge and the opportunity, amen.

John 21: 24-25
Mark 1: 9-11
Matthew 14: 22-27
June 21, 2026 – SJ