Worship on the Lord’s Day
07 July 2024 10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by Lynn Vaughan Communion Liturgy: The Rev Brad Childs (via video)
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie
Elder: Heather Tansem
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: Great is the Lord;
P: and greatly to be praised.
L: Praise God in cities and towns,
P: praise God in all quiet places.
L: Praise God on mountains and hilltops;
P: praise God in every valley, on every plain and in the deeps.
L: Let us raise our praise with all God’s creation;
P: We will praise God’s holy name, here and everywhere, now and always.
Opening praise: This is amazing grace
Prayers of approach and confession
Great are you, O God, and greatly to be praised.
You have made all things and called them good.
You created humans in your image and gave us a calling and a purpose.
You lift up leaders and send out disciples to take part in your reconciling work in the world.
Your love is endless, your mercy without measure.
And so, we praise you with heart, mind, strength and soul, in the name of Jesus, your Son, blessed by your Spirit, working in us, with us, around us and beyond us.
God of overflowing grace, we confess we often take your blessings for granted.
Forgetting life is a precious gift, we waste time on things that don’t matter.
We complain when things don’t go our way, ignoring those who face even steeper challenges.
Forgive us, O God. Renew our calling to share your abundant love for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord
Assurance of God’s Pardon
While it is true that we have all sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ. Receive the mercy of God this day, and be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another.
We listen for the voice of God
Scripture readings (NRSV): Ezekiel 2: 1-5 & Mark 5:1-13
Response: Behold the lamb of God
Message: All I really need to know, I learned in Sunday School
When I was last standing up here a couple months ago, I told you a story about a group of fish in a puddle that were being challenged to jump from their safe and familiar life and take a leap of faith into the unknowns of the river and the sea … and the great big world that awaited them. My talk today could be considered the next step for those who chose to go along with that colourful fish when he asked them to follow him.
We live in a confusing and complicated world, and somewhat depressing, if you read the headlines every morning. There are wars in pretty much all corners of the globe, there are natural disasters one right after the other, it seems, and there are never-ending stories of people complaining about pretty much anything and everything. There are many different forces pulling at us from different directions and so much is happening, that it is sometimes difficult to make sense of it all. And even though our world has made incredible progress in many ways, and we understand so much more about our universe and about ourselves than we ever have before, there are still so many things that are puzzling.
Even something as simple as reading the Bible or following Jesus can be confusing, and Christians often disagree about what the Bible teaches us about certain topics, or what we as followers of Jesus should think about when it comes to this pressing issue or that one. But it seems to me that the BASICS of what the Bible teaches, and what Jesus teaches, are not confusing. Sometimes, it is good to simply get back to the basics.
There was a popular book written some years back with the catchy title, “All I Really Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten.” Do you remember that one? It was popular, I think, because it offered life lessons that were not only true, but they were simple … and ultimately, hopeful. They reminded us that sometimes we adults can get in the way of ourselves by making things too complicated. So, Robert Fulghum, the author of the Kindergarten book, reminded us of some simple rules, like:
Share everything. Play fair. Put things back where you found them. Take a nap every afternoon. And when you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. (Robert Fulghum)
Today, I thought I’d take inspiration from this book to offer some simple lessons from our gospel reading on how Jesus wants us to live as his followers. We’re going to get back to the basics, like we teach our children. So, I’m calling the message this morning: All I really need to know, I learned in Sunday School.
As Jesus got ready to send his followers out on their first mission trip, he gave them some clear instructions, found in Mark 6:7-13. From these instructions, I’m going to highlight five simple rules that we can hold onto as followers of Jesus.
Lesson #1 – Don’t Be a Christian Alone
In our reading today, Jesus has identified his 12 apostles, and now he is getting ready to send them out on a mission. The first thing that he does is pair them up. It’s kind of like when you’re in pre-school classes or on a field trip in elementary school, right? Jesus teaches us to stick together. Don’t try to be a Christian alone.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, when he calls disciples – when he calls US! – the first thing he does is make us part of a community called the church. He calls us into this community because he knows that it is too hard to be a Christian alone. We need each other!
The recent experience of the pandemic was a powerful reminder of the gift and blessing of this community of faith. We truly need each other, and we are better together. In Matthew 18:19-20, it reminds us that ‘two people in tune with God’s way have a power greater than the sum of one and one’.
Jesus gathered his disciples together, and he gathers us together, too. And even when he sends us out into the world, we know that we are not facing it all alone.
For Jesus, there is no such thing as a lone-ranger Christian. Life is too hard to go it alone. Being a follower of Jesus is often too hard to face by ourselves. We need his help and his presence in our lives; but, we need each other’s help, too. Don’t be a Christian alone.
Lesson #2 – Remember that Jesus Is the Boss
In the next verse of our focus scripture, we find this second lesson. We read that “Jesus gave them [his apostles] authority over the unclean spirits.” This is the same power that Jesus himself has! This also means that when we go into the world, we go because Jesus has given us the authority to do so. Jesus is the boss.
We can go out in confidence – literally, with faith – because Jesus has given us the authority which is only his to give. He’s the boss, but he’s put us in charge. He has entrusted us to do his work: the mission of the church, growing God’s kingdom here on earth.
For anyone here today who has grown up in a household with siblings, maybe you remember back when your mom and dad would go out and leave the oldest one in charge. I remember my oldest brother, Greg, was a bit of a terror when it came to looking after the rest of us. Actually, my mom used to tell a story about visiting our elementary school during an open house one year and seeing a note posted on the classroom wall written by my other brother with his definition of what sadness was: the answer, “When Greg babysits us”. Just as a bit of a sidenote, his answer for the question about what happiness was: “When mom broke the wooden spoon”.
Anyway, back to my brother’s leadership abilities: my point is that sometimes the boss/the parent/the supervisor – whoever – leaves another in charge and gives them the authority to oversee things on their behalf.
As Christians, we are something like the older children of the world. We have been put in charge. Jesus has given us authority over the unclean spirits of this world, and we should embrace that. We should take that responsibility seriously and do a good job. But, we should also remember that we aren’t the parent. WE aren’t the boss. We are just in charge until Jesus returns.
Lesson #3 – Travel Light
The third lesson Jesus gives us is this one: “He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.”
In other words, we are supposed to travel light when we go on the mission that Jesus sends us on. Traveling light means that we are trusting in Jesus to meet all of our needs. Traveling light means that we don’t need a back-up plan. We only need to follow instructions and trust our boss.
No matter how little or big we are, we already have the tools that God has given us to be able to do his work. Tools such as:
- our love for God, which we show whenever we care for others,
- a welcoming smile,
• a listening ear,
• a healing touch, like a hug or an arm around someone’s shoulder, a handshake, or a helping hand,
When we go out into the world and use these tools, we are spreading God’s love and helping to grow his kingdom!
Traveling light means that we already have everything we need in order to serve our Lord. We don’t need to read another book, make more money, have more time, solve whatever problems we face in our life right now, or do anything else before we start. We don’t need to procrastinate. We don’t need to find excuses. We have everything we need, right now, to do what Jesus is asking. So, we can and we should travel light … and start immediately.
Lesson #4 – Don’t Get Discouraged When You Fail
The fourth lesson that Jesus offers is found in verses 10 and 11. He said to the twelve, “If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.“
In other words, we go on this mission with a bit of a caution: Not everyone will accept us, or our message, with open arms. Even Jesus experienced this with the people in his home town. There will be some that will refuse to hear us, for whatever reason. All we can do with them is entrust them to God … and move on.
It is our task to enter a community, do as Jesus asks, and if we are not welcomed there, to shake the dust off our feet and move on. We are responsible for delivering the message; we are not responsible for how others respond to that message.
So, the simple lesson here is to not get discouraged when we fail. If the 12 apostles were told that they would sometimes experience failure, then we should expect nothing less than that for ourselves. I’ve read that it’s beneficial to think of the word “FAIL” as an acronym which stands for “Faith Active In Love.” When our faith is active in love, then we are serving our Lord. When we seem to be failing, we shouldn’t get discouraged. Failure in the eyes of the world might just be overwhelming success in the eyes of God. The cross proved that to us in the most powerful way.
Let me say that again: failure in the eyes of the world might just be overwhelming success in the eyes of God. Let God be the judge of your successes in life. When you feel discouraged, know that He is with you and is ready to help you move on to bigger and better things.
So, don’t get discouraged when you fail. Travel light. Remember that Jesus is the boss. Don’t be a Christian alone. And, finally …
Lesson #5 – Don’t Be Afraid to Tell the Truth
When the apostles were sent out, it was to cast out demons and heal the sick, but it was also to proclaim “that all should repent.” Repent. Turn away from your sin. Turn from your false hopes and your false gods. And turn, or re-turn, to the Lord. Our only God, and our only hope.
Our world is quick to offer false gods and false hopes. It always has, and it always will. So many celebrities are put up on pedestals. There are so many distractions all around us. So much glitter and glam everywhere. As followers of Jesus, part of our task is to point this out, and to remind the world that there is only one God, and only one source of hope.
God, our Creator, has given us a world in which to spread His kingdom.
Jesus, our Savior, came to rescue us from our sin and brokenness.
The Holy Spirit was given to us to help in the mission work to which we are called. Together, this trinity shows us the way to live in these confusing and challenging times.
It’s not always easy to live as followers of Jesus in this world, but that’s what we are commissioned to do. So, as we are sent out to do God’s will, just as were the 12 apostles, remember these basic lessons:
- Don’t try to be a Christian alone.
- Remember that Jesus is the boss, thankfully.
- Travel light, trusting that Jesus has given us all the tools we need to accomplish his mission.
- Don’t get discouraged when we fail.
And don’t be afraid to speak the truth.
Five simple lessons we can learn from today’s gospel reading. Five things we can do to get back to the basics … just like we do in Sunday School. Amen.
Song: Lord Jesus, you shall be my song (665)
We respond to serve God: Our time of giving
Reflection on giving: Dayspring is empowered to carry out our mission of worship, service, and care by generously given volunteer time, talent, and treasure. Many thanks to all who give so generously!
Faithful God, we bring our gifts with trusting hearts, seeking your blessing on the ministries these gifts support. Work through our gifts to touch the world with your healing grace through Christ, in whose name we offer ourselves to you. Amen.
Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves
Holy God, In Jesus, you reached out to so many different people, with so many different needs, in so many different situations.
We thank you for all the ways you have reached out to us, in the embrace of prayer, in the energy of a song, in thought sparked by a sermon, and in the wisdom of Scripture or the words of a friend.
Sometimes, your healing brings comfort; Sometimes, it brings challenge and the call to respond.
Hear us as we seek your comfort and your challenge for the world, for the church and for our own lives.
Bring comfort to those facing struggles this summer: those whose crops wither by the extremes of weather; those who cannot find enough workers for their businesses and workers who can’t find secure employment; those whose housing is insecure, and any who are losing hope that things will ever improve.Bring challenge to those whose decisions affect the well-being of the vulnerable, to those who guide planning for housing and employment, and those who respond to the changing climate and lives and livelihoods at risk.
May your wisdom and compassion guide them.Bring comfort to those who are lonely or shut in, and to all who have lost beloved family members or friends in recent months.
Bring comfort to those who feel pain or anxiety without relief, and those who wait for diagnosis or life-restoring treatment.
Offer peace to those who know there is no treatment and wait in hope for your eternal welcome.
Comfort your church in places where ministries struggle, whatever the reason.
And challenge your church to renew our vision for ministry so that our witness is faithful to your all-embracing love, expressed not only in words but also in the actions we take.
Challenge us to embrace those who differ from us and yet have a place in your heart and your eternal care. Amen
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation
Song: Here is bread, here is wine (546)
We affirm our faith: The Apostles Creed
Communion Prayer
Sharing of the bread and wine
Song: One bread, one body (540)
The prayer after Communion
Hymn: Who’s goin’ to tell the story (761)
Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in faith into whatever the week ahead may hold, assured that Christ walks with you. And may the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and the Spirit who gives us life bring you joy and peace, now and always.
Response: The blessing
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).
Lynn Vaughans retains the copyright (© 2024) on all original material in this service. As far as Lynn is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is her own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.