Scripture
Jesus laid out another parable before the crowd: “The realm of the heavens is like a mustard seed that a person took and sowed in their field. Indeed it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; without a parable he said nothing to them. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:
“I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
I will declare what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.
Sermon
Good morning everyone! For those of you who may not know me, my name is Arianna, and I am very happy to be here this morning. I have attended this church for as long as I can remember. From Sunday school to confirmation classes, I have grown up spending time within the church. UPC has expanded not only my faith, but my empathy and compassion for those around me. I consider myself extremely lucky to belong to such a caring congregation.
As I prepare to enter the next chapter of my life, I look at the scripture I read a few minutes ago. In Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed. Though it is one of the smallest seeds, it grows into the largest tree that provides shelter for birds. When Jesus told this parable, he taught us an important lesson about growth and potential.
In today's world, it is easy to feel small as an individual and doubt your ability to make change. Because of this, young people wonder whether our voices matter or whether we are ready for the responsibilities that lie ahead. As I prepare to graduate and begin a new journey, I feel some of that uncertainty myself.
But the mustard seed reminds us that God does not measure us by our size, age, or experience. God sees what we can become. The seed does not start as a tree. It grows over time, nurtured by sunlight, water, and good soil. In the same way, our faith grows through prayer, worship, service, and the support of those around us. I can confidently say that the people of this congregation have provided me with the support to grow as an individual and become the person I am today.
When I look back on my years with this congregation, I realize that many of the lessons I have learned started as small seeds. A Sunday school lesson, a conversation with a church member, a confirmation class, or a simple act of kindness may have seemed small at the time. Yet those experiences have taught me invaluable lessons and have helped me prepare for whatever comes next.
As I look toward my future, I am not sure where God will lead me, but I know that God will continue to plant seeds in my life that allow me to continue growing. I am hopeful to eventually progress to a point where I can make the change I want to see in the world. Just as the mustard seed grows into something far greater than its small beginnings, God guides us to grow more than we ever imagined.
I want to thank the entire congregation, especially my mom, sister and grandparents, for teaching me that no act of faith is too small. A kind word, a helping hand, or a prayer for someone in need may seem negligible, but God can use those small actions to create lasting change. I know that the seemingly small actions from members of this congregation have certainly made a lasting impact on my life. I am so grateful to call this church my home and have grown up surrounded by such a loving and encouraging community. Thank you all so much!