Worship on the Seventh Sunday of Easter
10:00 am June 01, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs
Service led by Major the Rev. Kenneth MacRae
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Vivian Houg
Welcoming Elder: Lynn Vaughan Reader: Loretta Lee
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
Preparation for worship
Call to worship:
L: Here comes heaven, as we recount Christ’s humility and exaltation.
P: We gather to confess our sins and embrace His forgiveness.
L: Let us bow in reverence and rise to reflect His love and sacrifice.
P: United in faith, we worship the One who calls us to walk in His shoes.
Opening praise: O come to the altar
Prayers of approach and confession
Wondrous God, we come here this morning to worship you. We lay bare to you our very souls. We take with us this morning, our joys and our fears, our worries and our concerns. We take hope in the Biblical stories and how you have guided and helped your family since the very time of creation. You give us hope and strength and comfort. Knowing your goodness, we humble ourselves before you and offer to you our life.
Merciful God, there are times when we feel so empty. In our pursuit of happiness, we may have forgotten to include you in our life and discover that our happiness is very superficial and can easily be taken away from us. When trouble comes our way, you are often the first one we blame or take our anger against. Many times we are the cause of our own troubles yet we don’t want to admit our mistakes to anyone, not even to ourselves. Forgive us God. Give to us the strength needed to re-evaluate our life and to take the necessary steps to include you in our life. Be merciful to us and help us to be merciful to others. Amen.
Response: I will trust in the Lord
Assurance of God’s forgiveness
L: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn?
P: Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
L: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
P: The old life has gone; a new life has begun.
L: Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
P: Thanks be to God. (based on Romans 8:34; 2 Cor 5:17)
We listen for the voice of God
Song: There’s a spirit in the air (764)
Response: Glory to the Father
Prayer for Illumination
Holy God, you have revealed yourself to us by your Word. As we consider the scripture that was read today, we ask that you would be present among us so that we can understand how we can best praise you and serve you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The Message: The Alpha and Omega
There is a poem that I often read at funerals which I’m sure many of you have heard before.
It is a poem by Linda Ellis called “the Dash”.
I’m not going to read the whole poem. Only one and ½ verses
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
He noted the first came with the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
I’m not sure how many of you are into genealogy.
There are people who can trace their family line back through many generations.
I’ve done that a bit and know that the MacRae’s come from Inverness Scottland.
In 1816 John and Mary McRae left Scotland, thanks to the English and the Highland clearances, and headed to the New world.
They were going to Glengarry, Ontario but after several weeks onboard a sailing ship, Mary got so sick that she was tired of travelling.
When they landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia she was not wanting to go on another long journey to Ontario.
Friends were on PEI, so she endured a much smaller trip.
That is how our family got to Prince Edward Island.
When I think about genealogy, I don’t really care too much about just the date of birth and the date of death.
I am interested in the dash.
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Now I’m not hear to talk about my genealogy, but I am wanting you to think about that dash in your own life.
Each of you have a starting point and know the year of your birth.
Hopefully it will be a while before the date of your death is recorded somewhere.
Right now, all of us are living in that “dash” period of our life.
What are we doing with our time.
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The reason why I’m mentioning this is I want us to take a brief look at the text we read this morning from Revelations.
In Revelations 22:13 we hear the words “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”.
Theologically, I could argue with this verse.
We do not believe that there is an end to God.
There will not come a time when we fill in the date for God’s death.
From a linear perspective we can vaguely understand the concept of infinity going forward where there is no end to God.
A much more difficult theological concept is believing in infinity from the other direction.
There was no beginning for God.
Even for all who believe in evolution and the big bang theory there is a start to the universe, and a start to human life.
There was “no start” for God.
Yet we don’t need to dwell on this concept for too long a period of time.
This verse was written for our meager comprehension for God.
The terms “Alpha and Omega” is merely symbolic language to indicate all of time, however it is measured.
God has existed for all of time.
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The part I do want to reflect upon is verse 12 itself which reads, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My Reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
This phrase “I’m am coming soon is seen in verses 7, 12, and 20.”
In the Acts of the Apostles, first chapter after Jesus ascended into heaven, two men in white apparel, angels said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10)
The belief that someday, Christ will return and restore our world has brought hope.
We hang on in times of calamity, believing that one day our pain will end, the lame will walk again, our tears will be wiped from our eyes, and there will be no pain or suffering.
The problem that we have is the word, “soon”
This book of Revelation was written possibly around 95 AD.
It is getting close to 2000 years since Christ died, resurrected and ascended into heaven, yet Christ has not returned yet.
If you think it has been a long wait for Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley cup again, this is an even longer wait.
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Now we can do a few things with the word “soon”
What is God’s perspective on time.
In 2 Peter 3:8-9 we read, “…with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”
We read Genesis and hear about the creation of the world.
We read about what happens on the first day, then the second, etc.
We read about scientists and how the world evolved.
I don’t get into arguments.
The Bible is not a scientific manual that allows us to know how to create another universe and another world.
Do I believe God could create the world in our concept of a day, or even seconds…yes.
Or did it take millions of years.
I don’t know.
I just know that God was the creator.
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Christ is coming “soon”.
Well maybe the delay is that no all factors are in place yet.
Luke 21 in the parable of the fig tree Jesus that there would be signs that the Kingdom of God is near.
Oh goodie…there will be Neon signs in the sky with a countdown clock ticking down.
Nope…not those signs.
Matthew 24:6 “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
Not very helpful.
How many “wars” have happened since Christ ascended.
WW1 and WW2 had people wondering “Now Lord?”
In the media today there are lots of rumours of conflicts between nations, but Christ has not returned.
Matthew 24 also mentions famines and earthquakes.
Many of those have happened as well…still Christ has not returned.
2 Peter 3 reminds us that “in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of, and laugh at the truth.”
That has been happening for a long time…still Christ has not returned.
2 Timothy 3:5 “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.”
Well that is definitely happening now…yet Christ has not returned yet.
Matthew 24:14 is way more interesting “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Part of the delay was to give the world time to hear and to know about Christ.
At one point of time, people in North America was saying we need to preach to the people of Africa so that they could know Christ.
Today, the people of Africa are probably saying that they need to come here and preach to us, so that we know Christ.
Time was needed to go and make disciples of all nation (Matthew 28:19)
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There were also beliefs that Israel, especially Jerusalem, had to be around for the end times.
Zechariah 12:3 “I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations.”
For a while Israel ceased to exist.
In 1948 Israel became a nation again.
With the Palestinian conflict the world is watching Israel, for good or for bad.
Is that a sign that Christ is returning soon…I have no idea.
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Now I could go on and on about signs of the coming of Christ and is it near.
It is an interesting study, but I’m not going to waste my time on it.
I couldn’t find the source again for the next story but I do remember reading a Jewish rabbinic story about a teacher who was in his yard, tending to his garden and preparing for the upcoming Sabbath’s teaching.
All of a sudden there was a commotion and people started to run to the edge of the town.
One person stopped and yelled at the teacher that they heard a rumour that the Messiah had returned.
The teacher did nothing and just kept tending to his garden and thinking about what he could say at the synagogue.
When the man saw that the teacher wasn’t moving to join the crowd of people, he said, “Are you not coming with us to see this Messiah?”
The teacher shook his head and simply said, “No”.
The man was confused and asked “why”.
The teacher looked at the man and simply said, “If it is a false Messiah I don’t want to waste my time. If the Messiah is real, then I want him to find me working to be faithful to my calling.”
*******
We can get caught up in the word, “soon” but don’t worry about it.
Just continue to be faithful to God and then whatever happens, whenever it happens, at least we are on the side of God.
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One last point to raise in this chapter.
Verse 12 states, “my reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
This is not about salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
We can’t do enough good deeds to earn salvation.
It is our faith in Christ that grants us salvation.
Period.
Now, there are passages such as James 2:24 “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
Coupled with this passage in Revelations that talks about giving to people their just rewards shows that our works are important.
So what does that mean?
What rewards are we talking about?
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Here is how I think about this verse.
Cathy and I have travelled to many countries around the world.
On many of those trips our best friends, who live in the Yukon, join us.
We have camped together, been on resorts together and done cruises together.
Our friends have had a few more financial challenges than us, so the rooms we get may be a bit different.
On a cruise ship we might have a balcony suite while they have a port window room.
HOWEVER, we have access to the same entertainment on the ship, to the same restaurants, and to the same excursions.
Our rooms are a bit different…that is all.
Is that how rewards will be dished out in heaven?
I have no idea.
To be honest, I don’t worry about it all that much.
I trust in Christ to provide for me what I deserve.
What that exactly looks like for any of us, I have no idea.
The main part is simply to trust in Christ.
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Are you able to go to sleep in a car, or on a plane.
Many people can.
We shouldn’t have fear of travelling, if we trust the driver or pilot to get us to the right place safely.
We are called to trust Jesus to get us to the right place.
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The book of Revelation can be very confusing yet simple at the same time.
Books and movies are made about the rapture, and the tribulation.
Do we believe in the millennium?
That is another sermon in itself.
When we die, do we immediately go to heaven, or do we enter an eternal sleep and then in the twinkling of an eye we will all raise at the same time.
Again, I have no idea.
We simply have to trust in Christ.
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For all the new beginnings we have to go through, a new school, a new marriage, a new family, a new job, a new retirement, or whatever it is, trust in Christ to guide us.
We are called to do good works.
We are called to use our gifts and abilities in ways to help others.
We will face our own setbacks in life, and our own struggles.
We will not always understand the journey that God takes us on.
We won’t always like the journey that we are on.
Yet if we continue to trust in Christ, we will receive our own rewards, and receive the destination of an eternal heavenly home.
Whether we are seated at the head table of the Messianic banquet or have a seat at the back, we will have a great meal and enjoy a great celebration.
Continue with your journey with Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega.
Christ has been with us for our beginning.
Christ will be with us for our end.
Continue to live “in the dash” and enjoy the journey we are on with God.
Prayer
Eternal God, we thank you for the life you have given to us. Some of us here today may be enjoying their life and fully aware of the blessings you have in store for us. Some of us are struggling and wondering why our life is so miserable. We have our challenges. Assure us of your presence in our life and that you have not abandoned us. Surround us with friends, family, and especially the family of God to be with us during the good times and bad. Some day, when we die, or when you return to the world, usher us into the heavenly realm when we can spend eternity with you and our other brothers and sisters of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
We respond to serve God
Our time of giving
Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves
Eternal God, we are very blessed people. It is very easy for us to be caught up in all the negative news articles and believe everything is failing around us. There is so much fear mongering in the social media that it is a wonder we can trust anyone. Yet for each of us here today, we can think of people who are very special in our life and have given to us comfort and joy. We are thankful for our family. We may think of our family as our own biological family, the family we have created, our church family, or our family of friends. Help us to be a friend. Remind us to pick up the phone or even send an email to those we may not have talked to in a while. If possible, bring healing to broken relationships or at the very least to learn from them.
Our country is not perfect, but we have an abundant of resources. Most, if not all of us, have a home to live in and food on our tables. We may sometimes look down on the homeless but we do not know their situation. For some we do not know about their addictions or how it all started. May we be less judgemental and more caring to all people around us.
We pray for the leaders in our church, our community, our province, our country and for leaders around the world. There is a huge difference, often, between how the media with showcase our leaders and who they really are. Give to all leaders wisdom, compassion, mercy and a sense of hope.
We pray for those in the military, and for those who are first responders. Keep them safe and help all to return safely to their family and friends.
Hear all our prayers. Both the prayers we have said out loud and the prayers we have silently lifted up to you. This we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation
Today we will be celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
This sacrament reminds us of our relationship to God, and of the price that Christ paid on the cross to save us from our sins.
This is the Lord’s Table.
Our Saviour invites all who trust in him to share in the feast which he has prepared.
Come eat, drink and be refreshed in body, mind and soul.
Song: Jesus calls us here to meet him (528)
The great prayer of thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is truly right…
Therefore, we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels, with your prophets, apostles, saints and servants in every time and place:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
God of majesty…
We take this bread and this cup to celebrate your salvation through Christ. We praise you, Lord Jesus, saying:
Dying, you destroyed our death. Rising, you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit…
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, Almighty God, now and forever. Amen
The Lord’s prayer (469)
THE FRACTION
The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after given thanks to God, he broke it and said,
“This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same manner he took the cup after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood.
Whenever you drink it do this in remembrance of me.”
Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death (and resurrection) of the Lord, until he comes again.
THE COMMUNION
Eternal God, we are reminded that you came to the world and endured hatred, hunger, pain and death upon the cross. Yet you never gave into temptation. Strengthen our bodies so that we remain faithful to you.
The body of Christ given to us.
Almighty God, your blood was poured out for all our sins upon the cross. Forgive us of our sins, and pour into us your Spirit and grant to us eternal life.
The blood of Christ shed for us.
Song: Behold the lamb
Prayer after Communion
Dear Lord, we thank you for this time of communion. May your spirit give to us the strength and the courage needed to minister to the people around us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Song: Now let us from this table rise (556)
Sending out with God’s blessing
Now may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you now and forever more.
Response: Amen, we praise your name
Music postlude
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The Communion liturgy is based on the liturgies of the PCC’s 1991 Book of Common Worship. 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 License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
Major the Rev. Kenneth MacRae retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as he 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.