Worship on the Lord’s Day
Pentecost 6 10:00 am 09 July 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs Music director: Binu Kapadia
Pianist: Yvonne Boone Vocalists: Peter and Cheryl Sheridan & Lynn Vaughan
Elder: Iris Routledge
We gather to worship God
Music prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: and also with you.
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship
Call to Worship
L: Come! Share the joy of the Lord!
P: Delight in God’s goodness!
L: Praise God who gives each person a special gift to be nurtured and shared.
P: Lord, we thank you for these gifts!
L: Come, let us worship God who entrusts us with so much.
P: Lord, make us worthy of your love and trust in us. Amen!
Opening praise: Forever God is faithful
Prayers of approach and confession
You, O God, are overflowing with love, infinite in kindness, and incomparable in glory.
There is no other like you in all our imagining.
Your presence breaks into our lives in the beauty of summer and refreshes us like a gentle breeze breath on a still day.
You renew us to meet life’s changes and challenges.
In this time of worship, we offer thanks in our prayers, praise from our hearts, and honor with our lives, to you, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, this day and every day, now and always.
Wise and patient God, You offer us peace, yet we confess life often feels rustrating and unsettled.
You offer us courage, yet we are resentful when life is challenging.
You offer us a mission with meaning and purpose, but we are preoccupied with our own plans and desires.
Forgive us, O God, and draw our attention back to you.
Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O God
Assurance of God’s love
Jesus said, Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day.
We listen for the voice of God
Children’s time
Gradual: Jesus loves me (373)
Story: Fruit Salad (Galatians 5:22-23)
If you see an apple tree, what do you expect to find on that tree? Apples! Well, when you see someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit, you expect to see what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit. What is that? It is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Oh my, that is some good fruit, isn’t it?
Are you always patient? Are you always gentle and kind? No, there will be times when you fail. When you fail, ask God to forgive you and fill you with his Spirit so that you will produce the kind of fruit that he wants to see in your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, fill us with your Spirit so that we will show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (535)
Transition music
Song: Come, let us sing to the Lord our song (412)
Today’s Message
Scripture reading: Acts 10:34-43
Response: Behold the Lamb of God
Message: “Take the Gospel and put skin on it.”
At the home of a wonderful and loving family, the cries of a little girl could be heard as she screamed out in fear. The sound of mommy’s feet pounding their way up the stairs came next. The door flew open and her concerned face rounded the corner and ducked in nice and close to the little girl. “Nightmares again honey?” said the mother. She held her little girl close and felt her heart racing within her tiny chest.
The tears stopped now safe in the arms of a loving mother. “It’s okay baby, I’m here now and you’re never really alone anyway” she said. “Even after I go back to bed, you won’t be alone. God will still be right here with you. You believe that don’t you dear?” “Yes” the girl said and then cried out loudly once more as the tears began again. “What’s wrong honey? You know you won’t be alone. Even though you can’t see God. He’s here.” “Oh mommy” said the little girl. “I know God will be here… but-” “But what baby?” “But I want somebody with skin on!”
… Our passage from the book of Acts today begins with the word “Then”. It reads “Then Peter began to speak.” It’s not really the best place to start a story is it?
So here is just a little note for you – anytime you see that someone is speaking about a passage beginning a word like “therefore” or “next” or “then” it’s always a good idea to look back and see what has just taken place. In this particular context what’s just taken place is quite interesting.
In a city called Caesarea (named after Augustus Caesar) there was a man named Cornelius who was a captain in Judea over an elite group of Roman soldiers. These military officers were commonly referred to as “The Italian Unit.” This was a collection of six centuries (or 600 men). Now Cornelius was a very well respected man in his area and Cornelius was particularly well known for his charity to those in need.
Cornelius was not a Hebrew (though the evidence does suggest he may have been something the Jewish people referred to as a “God-Fearer”. God fearers were non-Hebrew people who came to the Porch of Solomon in the courtyard to overhear the rabbinic and Priestley debates. At the very least it appears that Cornelius was a fairly rare Roman monotheist).
In any case, from what we know, Cornelius has sent three men to the city of Joppa (about 50 km away) to find the Apostle Peter who was staying with a man called Simon the Tanner.
Please note that this is strange. A strict law keeping messianic Jewish man like Peter, would never be allowed to be in direct contact with a tanner. Tanners used animal parts to make tents and canteens and bows and all sorts of things – but they were also closely associated with death and considered not only extremely smelly but also disease ridden. The Hebrew’s had extremely specific laws from God that helped keep them healthy. The Gentiles (barbarians or non-Hebrew’s) had no such restrictions. As a result the two people groups often kept distance from each other.
Was Peter, the Apostle, Follower of Jesus staying with a barbarian who dealt with blood and animals skin all day? Something is wrong.
At the time, the Jews and Gentiles of course would rarely speak, would never touch, eat or stay together. But here Peter is, staying with Simon “the Tanner” anyway. When the men arrive to find the apostle, Peter is up on the roof of the house. He is in his own private prayer time but comes down speaking with them as one would generally do when met with the police. And he is polite with them – as we all should be.
But knowing that these people have just walked 12 hours to see him Peter even invites them into the home for the night (again something Peter would not normally do being that these soldiers are not his own people). In other words, Peter is staying with an “infidel” and then when other people come to check him out, he invites those “infidels” to stay with him as well.
Curiously, Peter also never refers to these men as gentiles or alludes to it in any way. An oddity to be sure. Instead, he very strangely calls them allophulos (those from another tribe). IT IS A WAY OF INCLUDING THEM and BEING ONE!
The next morning Peter and also “some of the Lord’s followers,” traveled to Caesarea with Cornelius’ men. And upon arriving at the home Peter walks right into the house (once more something that a Jewish man just simply would not do) and there Peter finds that Cornelius has already assembled a mass of friends and family and wishes for Peter to tell all of his friends about this man Jesus.
And that, everyone, that is the information that covers the very first word “Then” in our readings.
Don’t worry.
At this point our physician and historian author St. Luke speaks about what he has seen take place in the Acts of the Earliest Church. He writes to us saying, “34 Then Peter began to speak saying: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” And then… THEN Peter begins to preach the gospel to Cornelius (the very first non-Hebrew convert ever to follow Jesus recorded in the bible) – person who by the end of the story (along with all his guests) will believe and be baptized.
But first Peter must preach.
To the Captain over Judea, Peter says, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the accusing devil, because God was with him.”
It’s a little wild. This was apparently a hit news story of the day. People were sharing the story of a risen Jesus all over the place. It was a 24 hour news cycle run by word of mouth. The news was everywhere.
Peter – think about this – Peter… assumes everyone knows this story.
Peter assumed that basically everyone had heard this story. It’s good assumption. It is likely that Cornelius had heard this very captivating and very prevalent Judean news story or the day, considering his position as a Captain over Judea.
But Peter speaks to him as if he has some take on the situation already.
Like today, just because someone knows the Judean story of Jesus, that doesn’t mean that they really know it and it certainly doesn’t mean that just because they know it that they must also believe it or accept it.
Peter knows Cornelius has heard the stories and Peter knows that Cornelius is interested.
And so, Peter continues. He says, “We are witnesses of everything Jesus did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”
Peter’s point is pretty simple really. He is saying – That Huge News Story of the Year, – I WAS THERE! “I saw it!” I walked around with that guy for three years. I ate with him and drank with him every day. I listened to him. I knew him just about as well as anyone could ever know him and I’m telling you I saw him get ripped apart. I saw him get beat down and tortured. I saw him get spiked and dropped in the hole. I saw him get speared in the side. I saw him get taken down, covered in spices and wrapped. I cried for three days and hid from the authorities who wanted me dead too. And I saw him, clear as day (with holes in his hands and a hole in his side)… dead but not. I ate a meal with a guy I knew as well as I know my own mother, and it was absolutely the same guy we buried three days before. I saw it with my own eyes. I’m one of the first eyewitnesses. I saw it.
A police officer stepped up to the driver’s window of the speeding car he had just pulled over. “What’s the problem officer?” asked the driver. “Well, sir, you were going at least 75 in a 55 zone,” said the officer. “No sir. I was going 65. I’m sure of it and besides the guy beside me was going faster than I was.” “Oh, Harry. You were doing 80 kilometres an hour and you know it,” said the man’s wife in the seat next to him.
Shocked, the irritated driver gave his wife a very dirty look.
“I’m also going to have to give you a ticket for your broken taillight,” said the officer. “Broken taillight? I didn’t know I had a broken taillight!” exclaimed the man. “Oh Harry, you’ve known about that taillight for weeks,” said the wife, who got another very dirty look from her husband.
“Sir, that’s not all, I’m also going to give you a citation for not wearing your seat belt,” said the officer. “Oh, but I just took it off when you were walking up to the car so I could get my wallet,” protested the man. “Harry, you never wear your seat belt!” said the wife. Exasperated, the man turned to his wife and yelled; “Will you ever shut your mouth”
The police officer turned to the woman and asked, “Ma’am, does your husband talk to you this way all the time?” “Oh no, officer,” she said. “Only when he’s really, really, drunk.”
Peter had quite the story to tell.
But here’s the rub. We are only as good as our word.
As a member of the Roman army, Cornelius knew full well that Peter had nothing to gain from his story. Before this all happened, Peter was a boat owner on a lake filled with fish. He was from a fairly prominent family (though working folk and “new money”). Interestingly we see from scripture that Peter’s mother even owned her own home (something more than just a little uncommon for Hebrew women of the time).
Until about 6 months before Peter had lived a relatively safe and uneventful life with a significant safety net of generational property.
After Jesus – at this point – now… now, he was poor, his wife lived with his mother. He didn’t receive any funds. He gave what he made away. Absolute fact, if Peter didn’t tell this story, he’d be far better off. He could go back to his old life. All he had to do what just not tattle on an inebriated spouse.
Telling the story meant that Peter was in danger. Telling his story meant that Peter could be killed. And telling this eyewitness account would not help Peter’s standing, his family, Peter’s friends, Peter’s village, his people, his cause, on and on and on and on down the list – Telling this story is a death sentence. It was suicide and he didn’t even know what it meant just yet.
Peter follows Cornelius’ lead. And that’s rather trusting or stupid.
Think about that for a second. Walking into the Captain’s house, the captain of the “Italian Unit” (an elite military division), a Captain with 600 men at his disposal, the Captain who ran Judea where all this took place – Judea, where they were gradually gearing up to force non-pagans to convert to the Cult of Rome or die… For Peter to just stroll into that guys house, the guy that sent three soldiers to go and get him??? Wow, that was and is a BIG deal. Telling the story was a big deal.
The thing is… it all worked out. In fact, it worked out amazingly. Cornelius and those with him “believed and were baptized”. Go figure.
As the story goes, every day, at exactly the same time, Margaret would go to the bathroom cabinet, open it, and take out a huge bottle of castor oil. Then she would head to the kitchen to get a tablespoon. At the sound of the drawer opening and the silverware rattling, Patches, her Yorkshire terrier, would run and hide—sometimes under the bed, at other times in the bathtub or behind Margaret’s recliner.
Someone had convinced Margaret that Patches would have strong teeth, a beautiful coat, and a long life if she gave him a spoonful of castor oil every day. This was not uncommon. It was the norm. My Gramma Grace used to give each of the six kids a spoonful of cod liver oil every night from the same spoon to make sure they all stayed healthy. It was a thing. So, as an act of love every twenty-four hours, Margaret cornered little Patches, pinned him down, pried open his tiny terrier mouth, and poured a tablespoon of castor oil down his little doggie throat. Neither Patches nor Margaret enjoyed their daily wrestling match.
Then one day, in the middle of their “battle royal,” with one sideways kick, (Ping!) Patches back left paw sent the dreaded bottle of castor oil sliding across the kitchen floor. It was a momentary victory for the canine, as Margaret let him go so she could run to the pantry and grab a towel to clean up the mess.
But when Margaret got back, she was utterly shocked. There she witnessed tiny Patches happily licking up all the spilled castor oil with a joyful look of satisfaction on his face that only a dog can make. Margaret began to laugh uncontrollably. In one moment, it all made sense. Patches liked castor oil. He just hated being pinned down and having it poured down his tiny throat.
Well, doesn’t that sound about right?
In our reading from today, Peter didn’t go out looking for someone to scream his story at. He didn’t plan to forcibly shove it down someone’s throat.
Peter just wasn’t hiding the story that he had experienced.
And he wasn’t keeping safe and quiet.
And for that very reason Cornelius came to him. But Peter was ready, no matter how dangerous it may have been to tell the truth he had witnessed with his own two eyes.
And that is still the job for every one of us.
Our job… is to take the story the people have heard, or think they’ve heard. And whenever and however we’re called upon to do so… To take the gospel (that no person alive today has witnessed firsthand) … and do for it what that little girl crying at night wanted…. To do what Peter did for Cornelius… Our job is to attract the world to us, with our witness. It is to take the gospel…. And put skin on it. -Amen
Song: Morning has broken (514)
We respond to serve God
Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves
Gracious God, receive our gifts as tokens of our gratitude for your goodness to us. Bless them so that they become seeds of generosity, bringing needed gifts to others in Jesus’ name.
God ever creating, God ever loving, God ever leading: We turn to you in uncertain times, trusting in your steadfast love.
Where people are anxious about the future, where people overwhelmed by their responsibilities, where people fear conflict or violence in daily life, Bring peace and hope, we pray,
And let your kingdom come.
God of all compassion: Where people are lonely or isolated, longing for love, where people are trapped in unhealthy relationships, where people are grieving the loss of someone beloved: Bring courage and hope, we pray,
And let your kingdom come.
God of tender strength: Where people feel pain in their bodies, in minds or spirits,
where illness has eroded hope; and where desperation for help fills each day: Bring healing and hope, we pray,
And let your kingdom come.
God of trustworthy truth: Where leaders work to guide communities to renewed life, where individuals strive to care for the earth and its vulnerable inhabitants, and where people stand up against unjust policies or practices: Bring wisdom and hope, we pray,
And let your kingdom come.
God in whom we live and move and have our being: By your Spirit, tend your promise of new life amid the current struggles in the world you love.
Where hope flickers, reignite its power; Shine the light of Christ’s love into each life and renew our trust in you as we pray, Amen.
Song: Leaning on the everlasting arms
Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in the strength of the Lord and let Christ shoulder your burdens. And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Response: Amen, we praise your name, O God
Music postlude
Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One Licence (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2023) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.