Love others into being

Posted on November 19, 2023November 19, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am       19 November 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia       Guest Pianist: Yvonne Boon
Vocalist: Linda F-B     Elder: Sam Malayang

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: In the morning, as the clouds gather and break,
P: We open our eyes and stretch our arms to a new day.
L: As we gather, and the papers rustle and the pews creak, and old friends whisper together,
P: We become the beloved community again.
L: In our words and songs and silence and prayers,
P: We open ourselves to wonder, and gratitude, and praise.

Opening praise: Reckless love

Prayers of approach and confession
Transforming God,
you take the night and give us day.
You take our strife and give us peace.
You take our sadness and give us joy.
You take our fear and give us courage.
You take death and give us new life.
O God, you give and you give and you give.
So we come to praise you
and offer our love and loyalty as your willing servants
in the name of Christ who enriches our lives with grace
and in the power of the Spirit who prays within us
when we cannot find the right words to honour you,
God most kind and generous.
Trusting God,
you placed your mission in our hands
and gave us gifts to accomplish amazing things in Jesus’ name.
We confess sometimes we’ve taken credit for what your love has done.
Sometimes we’ve called our own desires your will.
Sometimes we’ve stepped back and let others carry responsibilities.
Forgive us when we’ve failed to honour your trust in us.

Response: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah

Assurance of God’s grace: Hear the good news!
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ – and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
So trust God’s promise.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and given a new start by God’s generous grace.

Musical Offering: Yet not I but Christ through me

Warren Garbutt (piano), Linda F-B, Lynn Vaughan, Brad Childs (guitar)

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus loves me (373)

Story: It said that in this small country church in a little village, there were 2 young boys who worked in the church for the priest. They were called altar boys and they would go and set up some of the things like putting the candles up – that kind of stuff. And so they helped out in the church.

One day, before the Sunday Church Service, the 2 boys bumped into each other and they accidentally spilled the wine out of that big cup and it went all over the place.

Now, the priest really liked the one boy, but didn’t really care too much for the other.

So he told the one boy that dropped the wine: “Leave and don’t come back again.”

And then to the other boy. He said: “It’s OK. In fact, I think someday you’re going to be a priest.”

Now that seems very, very unfair, doesn’t it?

Well, a few years go by and the one boy actually does become a famous priest. He becomes a man named Archbishop Fulton Sheen who was a great Catholic theologian.

The other boy grew up to be General Tita, the commander of the Yugoslavian Communist Party who took his country to war.

You know, one little sentence. 2 different people.

In our book for today in Thessalonians there’s a verse from chapter 5 and it says Therefore go out and encourage each other and build each other up. Just as in fact you are in the habit currently of doing. Whatever you do in life, remember, this week, you’re going to encourage somebody.

If you want to say something bad, don’t. Encourage them instead because you might just change somebody’s life forever.

Prayer: God, we thank you for our friends, our families, and for our loved ones everywhere, for teachers and mentors and grandparents and everyone else who cares for us and loves us.

We pray that we would be encouraging to our friends and even to people we do not know. God make us encouragers. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Follow me the Master said (645)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: I Thessalonians 5:1-1 & Matthew 25:14-30

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Love others into being

Presbyterian Minister, the Reverend Fred Rogers was the creator of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” a children’s television show that began airing in 1968 and ran until 2000—that’s 895 episodes. In 1997, just before retiring his show, Mr. Rogers won the Emmy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This is an excerpt of his speech.

So many people have helped me to come to this night. Some of you are here. Some are far away. Some are even in heaven. All of us have special ones who have loved us into being. Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are? Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life. 10 seconds of silence. I’ll watch the time.

Whomever you’ve been thinking about, how pleased they must be to know the difference you feel they’ve made.

In the video recording of that event, you can see actors and actresses tearing up during and after those ten seconds of silence.

All of us have special ones who have loved us into being children of God; helped us along the way and encouraged us. Some here. Some far away. Some are even in heaven where they join the saints around the throne still praying and offering intercession for us. We all have had spiritual parents. Will you be that for someone? Will you be a spiritual parent that raises children to follow Jesus and invite others to follow him or gently nudge someone else along?

1 Thessalonians was written around 51-52 A.D. and was the first letter Paul wrote to a church.

Paul arrived in Thessalonica in the winter of 49 A.D. after a very difficult experience in the city of Philippi (as in the book of Philippians). Paul stayed just a short while in Philippi and then was forced to leave by government officials. This meant that the church in Thessalonica would be without support just a few months after its very first Christian gathering in the entire city had begun.

It was almost doomed not to survive. How could it.

It was young, had no organizational structure and was worried about death, very worried about being killed for their interest in Jesus, and obsessed with the “end times” (which they thought would come so soon that they quit their jobs believing it pointless since Jesus could arrive at any time!).

Paul’s young student Timothy (as in the books of 1^st and 2^nd Timothy) joined Paul in; Athens relieving Paul of his loneliness. BUT Timothy was almost immediately sent to Thessalonica (as in the book of Thessalonians) to encourage them in a difficult time. After a short visit, Timothy once again joined Paul. This time Timothy met Paul in the city of Corinth (as in the books of 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians). And in Corinth, young Timothy gave his mentor Paul very good news. The Church was still alive and more than that, it was thriving. The people were still sharing the gospel. Yes, the church in Thessalonica had some worries but they were doing unexpectedly well.

They were doing astonishingly well and for a very simple reason, the two ministers agreed: They didn’t pick on each other. They didn’t complain. Not even a little complaining. They did the old, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all” deal! They seemed to have also thought of saying negative things like we might consider an exceptionally contagious virus. And they were right! People die from physical viruses; congregations die from negativity and gossip and bickering (we’ve all seen that at some point) and often from an otherwise absolutely beautiful human being who somehow came to self-justify a “helpful critique” that’s just “food for thought” yet also just so happens to be mentioned to everyone but the person being secretly evaluated and being given the supposed “help”.

We have all encountered this behavior at some point in our lives. Most people grow out of it by the end of Jr. High School but not everyone. We all know the person that tells you all the stuff they don’t like (which is probably about 10% of things) while neglecting all the stuff (probably around 90% or so) that they do like but regrettably and disappointingly and inauspiciously somehow also failed to mention.

In every church from this one, to the clandestine congregations meeting in North Korea (a consequence of which visiting demands a penalty of public execution). Negativity breeds negativity. And it’s poisonous to communities.

In its place, the Thessalonians tried encouraging each other. And to boot, it’s not like they all thought the same things about everything, or they all loved the same things. I am certain they had disagreements. They just appear to have largely conversed about those matters which coincided most between congregants. In other words, they spoke about what they agreed upon rather than what they were unhappy about.

I rather think of this like they are discussing a metaphysical Kindness Virus. The congregation is doing great. They are “full of joy” from what Timothy told him. They’ve replaced a disruptive virus with a spread of congruence and praise. They replaced the virus with encouragement.

1 Thessalonians is intensely personal. Instead of the typical focus on adjudicating between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, or correcting doctrine that didn’t fit with what the witnesses said happened: instead of impressing upon people the importance of freely accepting forgiveness rather than foolishly rejecting that gift while we simultaneously try to work off that same debt that’s already been paid. Instead, In 1 Thessalonians, Paul speaks almost entirely about interpersonal relationships. He’s not philosophizing so much as he is chatting.

It’s only in the final chapter (the part that we read from today) that Paul in conclusion addresses the people’s big questions and concerns about what happens to people to die before the return of Christ and their obsession with the end times. Still, this is caged within Paul’s point about the importance of the community.

Fundamentally, everything in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is about how Christians relate to one another in the community. How we are great and how we are less than at times.

In verses 10-11, Paul wrote, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, (dead or alive) we may still live together with him. [Death and life are nothing.] 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are already in the habit of doing.”

In a nutshell, Paul says, ‘that other stuff, isn’t that big of a worry. The stuff you fight over and the worrying about what a Just and Loving God will do with people who seek Him out and die before His return. Things that may happen someday don’t change anything that has to do with how we live as the church in the very present here and now. Our job isn’t to worry about death or fire from below, golden streets and harps above or the “end of days”. We are just meant to be spiritually preparing for any possibility believing that someday God will shake things up again and bring about a conclusion.

From Paul – to the congregation meeting in Thessalonica – he says that no matter what else until such a miraculous event takes place (and it could be 5,000 years away just like it could be tomorrow so, go get a job already you mooches). And then basically he just says that people should spend whatever time they have (be it a day like the Thessalonians fear, or 10,000 years away) encouraging each other and building each other up.

William Arthur Ward said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will never forget you.”

Encourage me… and I will never forget you.

The importance of encouraging each other simply cannot be overstated. Who wants to be around a bunch of people who tear each other down or whisper about one another in secret or fight over the 10% instead of celebrating the 90%?

In one of his sermons on this very text, Charles Spurgeon wrote the following words, “Fault-Finding is dreadfully catching: One dog will set a whole kennel howling.” What’s that old line about “Judge not” again?

By contrast, building each other up is a major theme in the bible. The word for encourage here is (Pa-Rocka-Le-Oh) “parakaleo” in koine Greek. It appears 114 times in the New Testament. Encouragement, 114 times. The word most literally means, “to come beside”. This is a variation on the word most often used to describe the Holy Spirit. Again… Encourage each other… 114 times!

To me, it sounds like God is pretty serious about the encouragement thing. I’d perhaps go so far as to say that if we are not encouraging each other… then we’re not being the church.

In agreement, at one point the author of the book of Hebrews writes similarly, “Encourage one another daily, as long the day is called Today-” (Hebrews 3:13.) In other words, never stop encouraging each other. Never stop.

The beauty of it is threefold:
1) It’s easy.
2) It’s free it costs you nothing and
3) Everyone needs it.

For the moment I’ll remind you that I’m American so maybe this story has more weight with me, than you but I’ll tell it anyway. The night Second term Republican President, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre, he had on his person several small items. These were:
-Two pairs of glasses.
-A small velvet eyeglass cleaner.
-An ivory pocketknife.
-A large handkerchief with “A. Lincoln” stitched on it; in red.
-A tiny pencil nub.
-A brass sleeve button.
-The same simple pocket watch given as a “standard issue” to everyday soldiers (my grandmother has one of these).
-And a brown wallet with a Confederate five-dollar bill inside.

And one more thing. President Lincoln (perhaps the most important leader in American History) also carried with him 8 tiny newspaper clippings that he had cut out and kept for safekeeping. All those clippings praised him for one act or another. I love that. And I think we all do that. I think we all carry words of encouragement with us written down or not. And everybody needs encouragement, from the youngest child to the immensely powerful. We all need it.

Now that doesn’t mean we’re all good at it. And I get it, some people are good at it. Some people couldn’t be forced to say something bad to somebody else if you put a stick of dynamite to ‘em or threatened to tie them to the railroad track. Others not so much.

One day 2 men were talking as they saw a woman walking down the road. One of the men said, “That’s Mrs. Jones. She always has something good to say about everyone.” The other man decided to test her, so when she got close he hollered, “Mrs. Jones, what do you think about the devil?” Mrs. Jones thought for a second and then answered, “He sure keeps busy doesn’t he; hard worker that one?”

Encouragement may not be everyone’s gift but If Mrs. Jones can find something nice to say about the devil then I promise you, you can find something nice to say to the people in the pews next to you or even the person you’ve just met. So why not start now. Encourage someone. Encourage everyone. (Pa-Rocka-Le-Oh) Parakaleo (come up beside someone).

In the fall of the year, Linda, a young woman, was travelling alone up the rutted and rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. Linda didn’t know you don’t travel to Whitehorse alone in a rundown Honda Civic, so she set off where only four-wheel drives normally venture. The first evening she found a room in the mountains near a summit and asked for a 5 A.M. wakeup call so she could get an early start. She couldn’t understand why the clerk looked surprised at that request, but as she awoke to early morning fog shrouding the mountaintops, she understood.

Not wanting to look foolish, she got up and went to breakfast. Two truckers invited Linda to join them, and since the place was so small, she felt obliged. “Where are you headed?” one of the truckers asked.

“Whitehorse,” she said.

“In that little Civic? No way! This pass is DANGEROUS in weather like this.”

“Well, I’m determined to try,” was Linda’s gutsy, if not very informed, response.

“Then I guess we’re just going to have to hug you,” the trucker suggested.

Linda drew back. “No offense but no thanks!” she said.

“Not like THAT!” the truckers chuckled. “We’ll put one truck in front of you and one at the rear. In that way, we’ll get you through the mountains safely.”

All that foggy morning Linda did what everyone in Alberta does from time to time.

She didn’t so much drive as she just followed the two tiny little red dots in front of her (and luckily too, had the reassurance of a big escort behind her) as they made their way safely through the mountains.

Life is messy. We all have issues. Everyone in this room, has some secret worry; some desperate hope. Caught in the fog of our dangerous passage through life, everybody needs to be “hugged” from time to time. And so together we move forward, with fellow Christians who know the way and can lead safely ahead of us; with others behind for us to lead the way. We too can be imitators of Christ, who come beside each other and constantly encourage each other.

And then who knows, maybe someday, when someone else takes 10 seconds to think about the special ones who were their spiritual parents, who helped “love them into being”, they’ll think of you. Amen

Song: Father, we love you (300)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: In the Church that bears Christ’s name, we receive the legacy of faithfulness offered to us across many generations. Our gifts continue to build up the inheritance we share in for generations we will never meet, so that they will meet Jesus and reach out to others in his name.

Prayer of Dedication: Faithful God, we offer humble thanks today for your generosity to us through the Church that bears Christ’s name. Receive our gifts as tokens of our love and loyalty. Use them to sustain the mission of the Church in ways we cannot yet imagine, in a future that you are creating through Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

God of all life and each life,

We thank you that you are with us every day, in each challenge and opportunity.

In our weakness, you are strength.

In our confusion, you light the path ahead.

In our questions, you offer wisdom for our choices.

Stay with us in these days when so much seems uncertain, and help us to serve you faithfully, when and as we are able.

God of loving kindness,

Thank you for each moment of joy and celebration in our lives: for love given and received, for friendships which bring meaning and happiness, even from a distance, and for family members who show us glimpses of unconditional love.

In all our relationships and interactions, keep us mindful of your call to see you in each another.

God of the nations,

we worry for the world filled with conflict and division, when the earth itself is put at risk by destructive human actions.

Guide diplomats and politicians to look beyond short term interests, and keep the well-being of vulnerable people and the planet in focus.

Open our leaders’ minds and hearts with wisdom to develop more equitable ways of ordering our common life.

God of healing,

we pray for those who are suffering in these days when winter is closing in.

Draw close to all who fear the future.

Comfort those with pain or problems that seem overwhelming.

Shine the light of your love into our sadness and sorrows and show us how to comfort and support each other.

God of life,

We thank you for your saints of every age who continue to inspire us, and for all who have meant the world to us and now live with you.

Keep us in communion with them and, at the last, bring us all to dwell together in your light. Amen.

Song: We are one in the Spirit (471)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Be a kingdom builder this week. Find a way to offer your time and talent to a project worthy of God’s hope for the world God loves!

And so may the blessing of God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, fill you and overflow through you to touch others with God’s renewing love.

Response: God to enfold you

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

Danny’s Ears

Posted on November 12, 2023November 12, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am       12 November 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia     Guest Pianist: Yvonne Boon
Vocalist: Linda F-B     Elder: Gina Kottke

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: We gather to worship on this, the Lord’s Day.
P: What will God accomplish among us in this time?
L: We have come together for Sabbath rest and renewal.
P: What will God accomplish among us in this place?
L: We are here to offer our praise and thanksgiving.
P: What will God accomplish among us in our hearts?
L: Confident of God’s work among us at all times and in all places, let us worship God.

Opening praise: Great are you, Lord

Prayer of Lament

O God, we cry out to you from the depths.
Hear our prayers and our longings.
Lord, have mercy.

We are tired with grief, a sorrow sometimes too deep for words.
Christ, have mercy.

We see conflict and devastation all around us, on a scale that we can’t comprehend.
Spirit, have mercy.

The poor and needy cry for help.
The love of God and neighbor has grown cold.
Mothers and fathers weep for their children.
Power and division maim the Body of Christ.
Lord, have mercy.

Nations are rocked with war and violence.
Christ, have mercy.

Disease and destruction plague our world.
Spirit, have mercy.

How long, O Lord? Hear us as we silently lift our prayers to you.

….

O God, we believe that you are our shelter and strength.
You never leave us in our time of need.
Grant us your peace.

Your love is compassionate and faithful, never-ending.
You are near to the broken-hearted.
You comfort those who mourn and work justice for those who are oppressed.
Grant us your peace.

We put our whole trust in you.
Full redemption is in your hands.
Make us instruments of your peace.

You teach us to walk humbly with you,
following faithfully where you lead.
Send your Holy Spirit to renew us to proclaim the gospel with word and action.
O God, we cry out to you from the depths.
Have mercy on us, grant us the peace of Christ, and transform us by your Spirit to follow in Christ-like service to the world.

Make us instruments of your peace. – Amen.

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s love: To turn to God is to trust. In His word, it says that when we confess our sins become as far away from us as the east is from the west. In Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.

Special Music: This little light of mine (Clare Johnson)

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story: John was a boy about the age of some of you. One day he was playing with a friend who let him ride his new bicycle. It was a very nice bicycle — probably a lot like this one that we have here today. After riding the bicycle for a while, John got off and parked it behind a car in the driveway. John and his friend got so busy playing that they forgot all about the bicycle. After a while, the woman who owned the car came out of the house and got into the car. She started the engine and began to back out of the driveway. You can probably guess what happened. “CRUNCH!” The sound was unmistakable. Without looking, both boys knew what had happened. The woman had backed over the bicycle. All that remained was a pile of twisted metal.

The woman jumped out of her car and began to apologize. “I am so sorry. I didn’t see the bicycle. I will gladly pay for a new one.”

What a relief! John’s worries were over—except for having to tell his father. John didn’t want to tell his father what had happened, but he knew he would find out anyway. When he told his father what had happened, he forgot to mention that he had left the bike in the driveway. He just said that the woman had run over the bicycle, and she was going to buy his friend a new one. When his dad asked him where the bicycle was when the lady ran over it, he confessed that he had left it in the driveway. “No way is she going to buy a new bike” John’s father said. “She didn’t do anything wrong. You are the one who left the bicycle in the driveway, so you are the one who is responsible.”

John’s heart sank. He didn’t have the money to pay for the bicycle. He only had a couple of dollars in his piggy bank.

John’s father looked at him and said, “Son, we all make mistakes. I know you are sorry for what you have done and that you don’t have the money to buy your friend a new bicycle. I will pay for the bicycle.”

John ran to his daddy, put his arms around his neck, and with tears running down his cheeks, he whispered in his daddy’s ear, “Thank you, daddy. I love you!”

That is a good picture of what our Heavenly Father has done for us. We all make mistakes—it is always a mistake to disobey God’s Word. The Bible calls that sin, but the Bible tells us that our Father loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die on the cross to pay for our sin. There is no way that we could ever repay him for what he has done for us. All we can do is say, “Thank you” and try to show him how much we love him.

That is what today’s Bible lesson teaches us. (Luke 7:41-47)

How often do you tell your heavenly Father that you love him? How do you show it?

Prayer: Dear Father, we love you and we just want to say, “Thank you.” You paid a debt we can never repay. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Give me oil in my lamp (655)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: John 10:1-10 & I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Danny’s ears

Guy Dowd tells this story I really love. It could be an elaborate parable for all I know but I love it and I tell it with this caveat.

Danny was born with no ears. He could hear all right, but he didn’t have ears like most people. Times were a little different even just a few years ago. All his life, Danny endured ridicule and rejection because of his deformity, but he learned to live with it. Thankfully, he had loving parents and a strong family to sustain him.

When Danny was in high school, his doctor told him of a new procedure that made it possible to transplant ears from one person to another. While today a person can actually grow their own ears on the forearm with the help of stem cells that certainly wasn’t always the case. That meant Danny could get new ears, but only if someone who was compatible with his physical make-up donated theirs.

Still, this was exciting news! After all, people donate body parts to science all the time—hearts, lungs, kidneys… whatever. However, Danny soon found that donors for ears were extremely scarce. Danny didn’t give up hope, however. He believed that someday he would get new ears.

Danny didn’t really have friends, but he had time to study. He graduated from high school with honors and was accepted to a private university thousands of miles away from home. And so when the day came, he kissed his parents good-bye and began his life as a college student. He got to start over in a whole new place. But again, Danny found it hard to make friends and fit in because of his ears, or lack thereof. It’s not that the other students were rude; it’s that they generally seemed uncomfortable and so just pretended not to see him.

One day he got a phone call from his father. “Go to the hospital tomorrow, Danny. A donor has been found. And it’s all set up.”

The very next day Danny checked into the university hospital where doctors were ready to perform the surgery. A few hours later, Danny had new ears. When the bandages came off, Danny gazed into the mirror for hours. He finally had ears like everyone else. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t ashamed of the way he looked. He felt like a whole person. He not only had new ears, he had a new life.

A few weeks later, Danny received another phone call from his father. “Son, your mom was in a car accident today, and she may not live through the night.”

Danny was on the first plane home. But when he arrived, his father gave him the sad news that his mom had died just after Danny had boarded the plane. Together they cried at the airport gate. Later that night the father and son pair went to the funeral home, where Danny was able to see his mother for the last time. She’d never seen him with his new ears. He knew she wasn’t really there, but he wanted to “show her” anyway.

In just a few weeks Danny had experienced the highest pleasure of his life and now he felt the lowest depths. With tears in his eyes, he showed his mother his new ears and told her about the procedure. And then he leaned over to kiss her cheek and say goodbye. And brushing her hair back from her face, he noticed that she had no ears.

It was a mother’s incredible love that provided Danny with a suitable match and a new life, and it is our Heavenly Father’s incredible love that provided us with our new life. (Hot ill. Red 178) And it should never be wasted.

Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Our God would literally do anything for us and has. He would give up not just his ears but his life so that we might know what it is to live.

The simple fact of life is that – Life is not always easy. It’s filled with amazing highs and devastating lows alike. Much of this is out of our control. No one knows what tomorrow will bring, what storm will come, what car will run a stop sign or what illness we might get or find out we’ve already had for some time. And when hard times come there are reasons to be sad. But not everything is beyond our control.

The islands around Indonesia are among the most beautiful in the world – crystalline tropical water, beautiful reefs with fish colored in every hue of the rainbow, powerful waves, and tranquil bays.

Tourists, surfers and most popular of all – scuba divers from around the world have discovered these hidden jewels and pay massive sums of money to enjoy this unspoiled aquatic playground.

But most of the locals won’t swim. Neither will they dive, surf, wade, bathe, or do anything else that places their bodies in the warm, inviting water. Their fear of the water is so powerful that even though they are surrounded by amazing oceanic scenes, they despise even the fishing that must be done on their waters as a necessary evil to sustain life. Although things are starting to change, almost none of the native islanders ever learn to swim.

Why do they deny themselves the pleasure of exploring the natural wonders all around them? Because a long time ago, someone told them a lie. Someone told them that the ocean was full of demons and that swimming in it would bring hardships and curses upon them and their families. To this day many of the Indonesian islanders still believe it. (H Ill.114)

For centuries the island people have missed out on the joys of ocean water, the surf and exploring the underwater world that surrounds them. The kind of life most people can only dream of is right before their eyes but they are too afraid to accept it.

So too do many Christians today live in fear rather than in the freedom we are called to live in. Many believe the old lie that God is some kind of cosmic killjoy who wants to take away our fun and make our lives dull and boring and put steal in our veins where blood and life should be.

Don’t believe the lie. Nothing could be further from the truth. In 1 Peter 1:8 it says, “Though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and this is why you are so filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” Christians are in fact, supposed to be joyful. John (10:10) in his all-too-familiar letter writes that God wants us to “have life” and to what? “Have it abundantly”.

Is that the life you’re living today? One filled with abundant joy? Not are you problem-free. That’s a whole different thing. But Are you living a life filled with abundant joy? If not… Why not? What’s stopping you? What takes away your joy? And more importantly, why do you let it?

Don’t let it. That’s not how we are called to live.

My grandmother (My Dad’s mother – Grace Childs) died back in 2013. She lived in the same town of about 100 people for her entire life but in three different houses. The third house was a trailer which was put up right next to the second house (which was also a trailer). The reason? Grandma Grace’s second house was filled to the top with her very “special treasures”. Boxes and cases of Diet Pepsi lined the walls as tall as me. She had three terrifying old dolls with thinning hair that stood 4 feet tall, and knickknacks and magazines along with many other things. Especially treasured though were two things, a strange collection of frog figurines (a tribute to her family Maiden name “Hopper” as she was born Golie Grace Hopper) and of course… She loved jewelry.

And although she never had much money, she did have a significant amount of costume jewelry. It was everywhere. Most every year since I’ve been in Canada I’ve bought both grandmothers a piece of jewelry for Christmas. Grandma Childs would always say (or write to say) thank you and she always added that she “planned to wear it for some special occasion”. And so she would carefully take it out to admire it and then place it back in the box and put it away in one of her drawers, filled with similar little items in similar little boxes, for that special occasion.

When my aunt went through her bedroom after the funeral she found box after box of bracelets, necklaces, and broaches… and I guarantee that everyone was a “special treasure” that she truly cherished. But almost none of them had ever been warn. Most boxes had gift receipts inside the boxes or still had price tags on them. Though I am completely certain that she dearly loved each one. But after that first glance, she had probably never looked at them again.

All those boxes… They all just sat there, hidden inside a drawer waiting for some imaginary “special occasion” that never came.

—-

This is a short story about the Wells family.

After Jan Wells died, her husband found a box in her top drawer. It was a beautiful article of clothing she had bought on a trip to New York, 9 years before she died. But she’d never wore it. Like Grandma Grace, she was waiting for a special occasion, but for whatever reason, nothing was ever quite “special” enough.

After finding that box her husband gave this pointed statement to Jan’s sister, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion.”

Jan’s sister never forgot that. It changed her life. Ann writes, Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not endure. I’m trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them. I’m not “saving” anything; we use our good China and crystal for every special event–such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first fall of snow or the first flower blossom. I wear my good blazer to the market. My husband and I wear a suit and a fine dress to MacDonald’s for date night. You can’t imagine how much fun that is!

Since my sister died, I’ve stopped saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends. “Someday” and “one of these days” are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now while I can. I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that this is a special occasion.”

Christians, hear this: Christ didn’t die for us so that we can all be sinless and living forever in paradise. That may be a part of it but that’s not the here and now of it. Christ didn’t die for the dead. He said he “came for the living”. He said he died so that we might “have life and have it abundantly;” full of meaning and purpose and joy. TODAY.

Christ didn’t give his life up just so we could all walk around being dull and miserable all the time. Frowny face on Sunday Morning like we don’t know the God of the universe who rescued and still cares for us. He gave it up to show us a new way to live… a joyful way.

That’s the life we were called to.

But while we should be living joyfully, we tend to let troubles get the better of us.

We worry about all manner of things. But the truth is pretty simple. If it’s out of your control then worrying about it isn’t going to change it. And if it’s in your control, stop letting it steal your joy away! It doesn’t have that power.

Stop letting whatever it is that steals your joy, dictate who you are, or who you are being called to be… and LIVE a new life; not tomorrow TODAY! This the day!

We were called to live lives full of meaning and purpose and to do so with joy.

He gave us ears. So let’s hear his words.

Jesus said, “I came that they [that’s every one of you] might have life and have it abundantly.” So, let’s do it. Amen.

Song: May the God of hope (726(

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!

Praise: Praise God from whom all blessings flow (830)

Prayer of thanksgiving

God of infinite mercy, we offer thanksgiving for your goodness. You have not forsaken your people. When our tables are laden, it is due to your grace. Our lungs are filled with the life you breathe into us’ our limbs move with purpose because of the strength you impart. When anxieties engulf us, you hide no compassion from us. If we are afflicted with pain you are present.

We give you thanks for Christ Jesus who fulfills all that you promised. In him, we have confidence that you accept who we are. It is he who redeems us despite our rebellions and offers salvation when we stray from your will. He tempers judgement and brings intercession and stays His anger. We approach you Lord with the assurance that you hear.

We give thanks to our loved ones who are now at rest with you. Their faith in Christ helped transform ours. We thank you as well for saints of each age and prophets of old. We join their pilgrimage. Thank you for your kindness and commitment to us. Aid us as we continue our journeys in obedience and in Joy with a story for of love to tell. Amen.

Song: Who’s goin’ to tell the story (761)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Let us depart in peace, and in love and charity with our neighbors. May we be joined together in the common goal of service to God and Country. Let us drive safely and carefully to our homes and may God’s blessing be with us all and forever. Amen.

Response: God to enfold you

Music postlude

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Things known

Posted on November 5, 2023November 5, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
Remembrance Sunday 05 November 2023 10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Guest Pianist: Yvonne Boon Vocalist: Linda F-B
Elder: Darlene Eerkes

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

Procession of Veterans’ pictures and laying of wreath

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. (John McCrae)

Prayer: O God, we remember . . .

We remember today that you are the giver of every good gift, and one of your gifts is peace. You have blessed us with freedom, and you have met all our needs. We live in a country where we are not judged for our beliefs, where we may gather without fear, where we have mutual respect, shared rights.

O God, help us never to forget your gifts. They have not always come so easily.

We remember those who gave their lives in two world wars, the Korean War, and other countless conflicts. We remember them and also the families they left behind.

O God, help us never to forget the prices paid.

Lord, your son, said that people have no greater love than to lay down their life for their friends. You laid down your life for us, and you call us your friends. Those who were killed or maimed or scarred in wars laid down they’re or the pieces of their lives for us.

O God, help us to live lives worthy of their sacrifices and also yours.

We remember that you alone are the source of peace and justice. We pray with all our hearts for peace in our times. Bring true peace to those places where conflicts continue to smolder.

God, we beg you that you may find ways bring an end to hatred and senseless violence and give peace in our time that last long after we are gone.

We remember, God, that homes and workplaces, schools and streets are not always places of peace. Yet you have offered us the way of peace through the love of Jesus Christ.

God, help us to accept your offer and to find another way, the way of Love, the way of the Healer and Great Physician – Jesus Your son.

We hold up before you, all those who work for peace: For you have said, “Blessed are the peacekeepers”.

O God, help us to be peacemakers in our homes, our communities, and our world.

. . . may we ever pray: Lord God of Hosts.

be with us yet,

Lest we forget; Lest we forget. Amen.

Each day, a bugle was sounded in military camps to begin and end the day;
this was called the “last post” and was also sounded for those who had died.
We will now hear the “Last Post” and have a minute’s silence to remember.

Last Post

Silent Reflection

Reveille

Call to Worship
L: Let us bless the Lord at all times.
P: God’s praise will always be on our lips.
L: Magnify the Lord in all ways.
P: We will lift up God’s name together in worship and in service.
L: God, send your light and your truth as we gather to worship.
P: May they lead us into your holy presence.

Opening praise: O come to the Altar

Prayers of approach and confession

God, we come before you this day as we do every day. Many of us come before you as one of the wealthiest, and safest people that have ever lived.

We come to you not from substandard housing or a place of malnourishment.

We have reliable electricity and public services.

We come to you from many places but also from a shared world where the same number of people have HIV as a university education.

God, we know that there is nothing wrong with being fortunate. But Lord we to easily forget just how fortunate we are. Remind us of our many blessings and help us to see the face of your son on all those we meet just as we ask you to help others see his face in us.

For our errors we seek forgiveness. For ignoring the blessing, we have. For a world and people taken for granted.

Forgive us for our errors and remind us how blessed we are in you.

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

Our God is a God of Love and Mercy: who gives us infinite chances. This is the good news… in Jesus Christ we can be forgiven. -Amen

Song: Blest are they (624)

We listen for the voice of God

Scripture readings (NRSV): I John 2:1-3 and Matthew5:1-12

Response: Behold the Lamb of God

Message: Things known

Sergeant Kenneth E. Neu was stationed with a U.S. Airborne unit in Germany, where the parachute drop zone is located right next to a Mercedes-Benz sport test track. One windy day, a gust of wind blew Sergeant Neu’s parachute off course and over the speed track. Knowing how hard landing on asphalt can be, he braced himself in fear. As the rock-hard track came up at him faster and faster, he tucked in and prepared to roll hoping to break only his legs in the process. Just then Sergeant Neu landed, rolled, and lay sprawled out on the track. Amazingly he felt unharmed… he was fine.

But suddenly the wind inflated Neu’s parachute once again and it began dragging him down the length of the track. He hit the chute’s canopy release and dropped again. Once more he checked himself and felt unharmed. Then the young man looked up just in time to see a car speeding toward him (he couldn’t report on which one it was). Acting quickly, he dove out of its path; narrowly escaping death and rolled of the edge of the racetrack. Out of breath but uninjured, he blurted out, “How lucky can I be?”

Relieved, he turned, stepped into a gopher hole, and twisted his ankle.

(Today in the Word, March 19, 1995)

Wayne Sharpton of Georgia is something of an interesting case. In 2005 Wayne won $350,000.00 on a Vegas Nights Scratch Lottery ticket. When asked how he felt about winning the lottery Wayne said the same kinds of things most people say… like “It’s a blessing” and, “I’ll still go to work in the morning just like every other morning”. But Wayne did it. And he kept on doing it. He kept his job as a service technician saying that $350,000.00 wouldn’t be enough to make him leave his job.

Then in April of 2006 Wayne stopped in for his morning coffee… and also Wayne bought two more scratch lotto-tickets. Only this time something different happened. This time… he took home 1Million. As always, the reporters came and they asked him once again, “what does it feel like to win the lottery?” And just as before Wayne said, “I’m blessed” and then, “I’ll still go to work in the morning just like every other morning”. And again, He did.

Wayne Sharpton is something of an interesting case. In less than two years he won the lottery twice. So… You’d think he’d be used to it when three months later he won another 2.5 million.

“Lucky” is what sergeant Neu called it. Wayne Sharpton: “Blessed”. Very few people, I think, would disagree. But what exactly is it to say someone is “blessed”?

The story of the beatitudes is told by two different New Testament authors. People (particularly non-Christian people) love to point out the differences between the two descriptions Luke and Matthew make. As with any account this could be due to several reasons including themes, imagery being employed, the genre being used, the kind of audience the gospel wants to address or even the way the author wants to order the events. In any case both Matthew and Luke deliver Jesus’ Beatitudes… or Blessings within their own unique perspective and context.

In Luke Jesus presents this message in The Sermon on the Flat Plain. In Matthew however, Jesus pronounces these blessing to the 12 disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. When Luke the Physician and Historian recounts the message, he has heard, his Jesus on the level plain speaks more about the immediate physical needs of the people saying, “Blessed are the starving, for they will be feed”. And “blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”. But when Matthew tells the story, Jesus speaks in a more spiritual nature. He tells the disciples “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” and “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Personally, I agree with the critics that think these accounts in Matthew and Luke are a little too different to be harmonized. But I don’t think that makes them untrue. I just think that that if Jesus happened to have a few very good sermons then perhaps he might have used some of the same material more than once.

What is most interesting for me though are not the differences in how Jesus and the writers of these gospels used these teachings. Rather it is the commonality and agreeability one finds regarding these sayings. If I asked most people what they thought of these blessings, my guess is that most people would have no difficulty with them. The people outside those doors having brunch today don’t particularly know or like the Jesus who overturns tables and chases people with a whip (reference?). The one who appears in Revelation wearing a robe that’s drenched in blood and has fire in his eyes is not exactly secular friendly. BUT the Jesus of the Beatitudes? Now that’s a Jesus people can really get behind. The Jesus that says, blessed are the poor is cool. He’s nice and unthreatening and seems sort of like a lovable hippy. The beatitudes have somehow become commonplace, and sterile; cute and friendly.

But that is what’s odd about it. For the original audience these blessings were shocking. They disturbed people. Biblical scholar and author Andrej Kodjak says, “the intent behind these blessing was to provoke offence by his words and to capsize all common understandings of God”. And it worked, not long after this as Jesus is preaching, he feels anger and unrest of the crowd boiling up so much he begins an attempt to calm his listeners down and says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish all of the Law of Moses”. In fact, both Mathew and Luke constantly describe the crowd’s reaction to Jesus’ words as being one of astonishment and shock.

If what Jesus says is so offensive, so shocking so astonishing? Why is it that we have such an easy time accepting these blessings? Why do they seem so nice?

What’s wrong with “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” or “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”?

Well, the first problem is our understanding of what blessing meant to the Jews at this time. We are not just talking about “happy” although that could be a part of it. And we are not just talking about being “lucky” either.

You see, Blessed is at its core, the opposite of cursed. Blessed was the intended favor of God visited upon the righteous in the form of wealth, stability, family, and health. But that’s not who Jesus is talking about?

The people he’s talking about are cursed. Right?

On the one hand “blessed is the perfect translation” that’s why almost every translation of the bible uses it. On the other hand, there is really no word in English quite like this “blessed” because it’s kind of like saying fortunate, without need, or lucky but more like “chosen by God to be lucky”.

Today we use this word in a very haphazard sort of way “I’m so blessed”, but they thought of it is a direct action of God. And the other side to the coin was where God directly cursed you. You know, the poor, the hungry, the ill.

The Common English Bible has Jesus using the word, “Happy”. So does Young’s Literal Translation.

Once oddity here is that Matthew records these blessings in Greek and Jesus may have pronounced them in Greek but probably not. Considering the ethnic group listening to Jesus, he may well have spoken these blessings in Aramaic and then Matthew translated this for his audience. In this case Jesus would have used the word Asher for “blessed” and Asher is closer to gifted or fortunate.

In the Amplified Bible the Translators write:

“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor.

“Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn.

“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle.

“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger.

“Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises].

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature].

“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor].

“Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love].

“Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness].”

No matter exactly how this word is translated, this “blessing” Jesus pronounces upon the downtrodden is said to be the intended will of God for them.

Seeing the lack of proper shock in the reaction of modern-day readers, one commentator tries to put this into a more contemporary context. He says, “You must imagine Jesus saying these words, ‘Without need are those who lose their homes in a flood. Lucky are those who have just lost a loved one. Fortunate are those who have been beaten and abused. Blessed…, Blessed are those with cancer.”

Jesus’ words here just seem to roll off our tongues and out the door without our ever really thinking about them, but they were far from commonplace. These blessings were shocking.

Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor”.

It’s important to note here that Luke also uses this same word “poor” in his account and that it is used elsewhere in Luke where it is translated “impoverished”. In one place where Matthew uses this same word it’s translated as “a cringing beggar”. We’re not talking about someone who’s short on pocket change here. “Blessed by God is the cringing beggar”. He says, “blessed are those who weep” those that lost their wives, husbands, parents, children / “blessed are those who morn”. He says, blessed are the meek, those whose land has been taken from them; whose homes are no longer truly their own. People whose God and who’s scriptures are slowly been replaced by Caesar: People who have been made subjects (without a true King of their own). “Blessed are the meek”: the victims of war and poverty paralyzed and unable to react in the face of troubles.

The second reason why we don’t take proper offense at these words, is that in some cases we tend to think of these blessings as a call to become like these people, as in “Blessed are those who show mercy” or “Blessed are the peacemakers”. And then we assume that we are being told to show mercy or make peace. And of course, that’s not offensive. But the problem is simple. Here Jesus is not asking us to become merciful and he is not asking us to become peacemakers. What he is doing is simply pronouncing blessings upon those who are already merciful and already are peacemakers. He doesn’t say, “blessed are you who will soon try to become merciful or peacemakers.”

In fact, if these beatitudes were things, he was calling us to be, then we would have to say that Jesus is calling us all to be in mourning, to be persecuted and starving.

To be blunt. The blessings are not about calling us into action. Our actions, our attempts to be merciful and our attempts at peacemaking are a byproduct at best. The beatitudes tell us who is already blessed.

We sometimes want Jesus to tell us what to do so we can do it. We want it to be simple. We want easy rules to follow and so we look for them even where they are not. In reality these sayings don’t really give us anything to do. They are not a way for us to earn God’s blessings. They simply tell us who is blessed. And the answer is jarring, because it is completely different from what the world tells us.

They tell us that lucky, that fortunate, that being “blessed” is not what we think it is.

No matter how you feel. No matter what circumstances you face. No matter how beat down you’ve been. No matter what you’ve done, not done, or has happened to you. God has blessed you and still have more blessings for you.

Whether you are hungry, living on the streets and poor as in Luke’s gospel or you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, or poor in spirit as in Matthew… Whether you are mourning or weeping… whether you are lonely, ill, in financial turmoil, worried about you children, parents, loved ones. grieving… whether you are abused or persecuted… Jesus is saying to you. You will laugh again, you will be comforted again, because in Him, you too are blessed and Yours is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thanks be to our God. -Amen

Song: Shall we gather at the river (797)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Praise: Praise God from whom all blessings flow (830)

Dedication of Offerings: For the blessings of this and all our days, we thank you, gracious God. Accept, we pray, not just this money but also our lives freely offered in gratitude for all you have done for us. Use them both, in this place and wherever you might take us. Amen.

Prayer for the persecuted

We pray for those suffering because of their Christian faith; that the Holy Spirit will guide and protect them and nurture courage and faith, giving them the grace to forgive those who persecute them.

We pray also for those who follow your Son in bearing their cross, that they may, in every trial, glory in the name of Christ and that they may be given courage, hope, and perseverance.

For our sisters and brothers who, like your Son our lord, had to flee persecution from dangerous political powers, we pray for safety, strength, and guidance. Let those who flee persecution and war in [name of place] find safety and protection, and the ability to rebuild their lives in dignity and contentment.

For those who provide assistance to refugees and people suffering persecution and violence, we pray that they may be safe and see the face of Christ in the most vulnerable people in your world. We pray also for guidance for those who help refugees. We recognize that people who have experienced trauma often have pressing physical and mental health needs.

We pray that those assisting refugees and people suffering persecution and violence find the necessary resources to help address and care for the trauma that the people they help have faced.

We pray for those who persecute Christians and other religious minorities, that Love, and mercy will illuminate their hearts, that they will come to see the common humanity of all peoples, and that they will cease committing acts of hatred.

We pray for government leaders around the world, that they may recognize the grave responsibility that comes with power, and form and keep just laws that protect the persecuted and work for an end to violence and war.

We pray also recognizing we have at times limited the religious freedom of others and have failed to protect others from religious persecution.

God of mercy and of grace, we confess that we have not protected others when they have faced religious persecution.

God of the migrant, the minority, the oppressed, and the outcast, we humbly confess our silence, our ignorance, and our complicity in the plight of religious minorities in Canada and around the world. We pray that people everywhere will respond to the work of your Holy Spirit to build better communities and nations for all people, not just the majority or the powerful. It is in this work that we meet Christ and his reconciling love. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation
We are all guests invited to this table.
This is the Lord’s Table
and it belongs by right to all his people.
It is the gift of God for the people of God.

Song: Put peace into each other’s hands (560: vss. 1,3,4,5)

We affirm our faith: The Apostles Creed (539)

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Communion Prayer

Our Compassionate Father we thank you for existence; for the creation of all that is and more importantly for your continued creative acts.

Your involvement in the world has not ended. You continue to create with constant collisions in space, in the expansion of our universe, by providing rain and seeds, and in the birth of each new child.

You continue to create in us: new ideas, new identities, new ways of growing and learning, new connections, new marriages, new disciples, new friendships.

Isaiah the Prophet wrote, “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ²Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy Lord: God of Power and Might. Heaven and earth are full of his glory.”

God is Hosannah in the highest. (The one to be praised above all others)

Precious Lord, we thank you for the gift of salvation sent through your son Jesus Christ. We thank you that you loved us so much that you came to be not just with us, but one of us. You the God of all power became infleshed, skinned knees, learned, grew, suffered, witnessed the deaths of those you loved and even gave your own life up in our place.

Now God, we ask – Pour out Your Spirit here and now in new ways on Your people. Let none of us remain in conflict with one another, none eat or drink in judgment upon one another, but instead bring us peace that passed understanding… both now and forever. Amen

Sharing of the bread and wine

Institution (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV) “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

The Fraction: Minister breaks the bread.

When we break the bread, it is a sharing in the body of Christ.

The Pouring of the Wine: Minister pours the wine.

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” When we bless the cup, it is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

The Revelation: Minister holds up the bread and cup.

“The gifts of God for the people of God”.

Song: One bread, one body (540)

Serving of the Bread and Wine

The prayer after Communion: Make us always aware of our abundant blessings. And so, make us ready and willing to bless others. And be with us always on our way, no matter where our journeys take us. – Amen

Hymn: Crown him with many crowns (274: vss. 1,2,4,5)

Sending out with God’s blessing: In this place, we have met the God who will never abandon us.

Now we go out into a world where it can be easy to feel alone. As we go out, we carry with us the promise that God is with us always. In the laughter and tears of life, in our triumphs and our struggles, God is there. Indeed, when we walk through the storms of life we never walk alone.

And now,

May God the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer of all that is, be with you on all the paths of life and strengthen you as you go.

Response: The Blessing

Music postlude

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STAYING WELL

Posted on November 1, 2023November 22, 2023 by John

Cold and flu season is upon us once again. Coupled with a rise in cases of Covid 19 and its aftereffects the Session of Dayspring believes it is a good time to remind everyone about the importance of public safety. The Session recommends the wearing of masks for anyone with symptoms of an illness or a compromised immune system as well as reasons of personal choice. We recommend joining worship online for anyone feeling unwell. We would also recommend speaking with your doctor about your own personal health status and making an informed decision about vaccinations. As always, the first line of defence for a healthy winter season remains hand washing in combination with an awareness of what is going on around you. Stay well, stay kind and stay safe.

– (On behalf of the Session) Rev. Brad Childs

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad

Posted on October 29, 2023October 29, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
Reformation Sunday 10:00 am 29 October 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Rom Ehoad
Elder: Jane de Caen

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

Brad: I once heard a fictitious story about the Pope who was on a visit to the US for a period of time. On his last day of the visit, he was delayed due to meetings and was unable to break away to catch his flight.

Since he couldn’t depend on his bullet-proof Pope-Mobile to get so far, his handlers phoned for a limousine. When the limousine arrived, the limo driver was joyfully stupefied that it was the Pope who had called on him. Obviously, the limo driver became nervous and was beside himself. He proceeded to drive very slowly. The Pope became nervous and told the driver to hurry up. It did not make a bit of a difference. The driver went slower; he wanted to keep the Pope in his limousine as long as he could. It was like a dream combined with a blessing the driver thought. But the Pope could not be delayed any longer, so The Pope asked to drive the limo himself.

What could be done? The driver had no option. He wouldn’t say no to The Pope. And so, after a brief swap, the Pope sped off and quickly reached a speed of 175km/hr. The officer who stopped him was shocked when she discovered the famous personality behind the wheel of that limousine. She was so shocked that she frantically phoned her police chief and said, “Chief, I have stopped a very important figure for speeding. I don’t know what to do?”

“What do you mean? Give them a speeding ticket!”

“Ma’am, in all honesty, I can’t.”

“Why can’t you? The law is the law. Who is it anyway?”

Silence

“Well… Is it the mayor?” –“No, Ma’am.”

“Is it the Governor?” –“No, Ma’am.”

“A senator?” Nope.

“Is it the President?” –“No, Ma’am.”

“Well, then, who is it?!”

“That’s the thing Chief, I don’t know who it is! All I know is that the Pope is driving them to the airport.”

Now… just so you know. That has nothing to do with this servise. I just thought it was a funny joke.

Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: In the beginning, God called the world into being, saying,
P: “Let there be light!”
L: In the fullness of time, Jesus came from God to us, saying,
P: “I am the Light of the world.”
L: In our everyday life, we see the work of the saints,
P: The ones in whom God’s light shines.
L: So let us give thanks for the saints this day,
P: And let us worship God.

Opening praise: Love the Lord your God

Prayers of adoration and confession

God, our God, You are gracious and loving, holy and eternal.

Your love is steadfast.

Your presence ever near.

Your wisdom is older than time and as fresh as the morning dew.

Your name has come to us through the centuries, yet you can always do a new thing to draw us back to you.

God, Creator, Christ, and Spirit, we offer you our prayers and praise this day in humble expectation.

Surprise us in this time of worship and refresh our readiness to serve you.

God, our God, You know our hearts, the times we truly loved one another. and the times we merely tolerated each other.

You know our minds, the times we truly focused on you, and the times we pursued our own purposes.

Forgive us those times we went our own way, and renew our commitment to live lives marked by your grace.

Response: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah

Assurance of God’s grace

Our Lord became sin for us. Our sins have been suffered for and they are our no more. There could never be greater news than this. We are forgiven. We are free. We belong to God. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord.(445)

Story

Brad: Who knows what this is?

Kids: A nail.

Brad: Yeah, what do you do with a nail?

Kids: You can hang something on the wall?

Brad: Like a picture? … OK. … What about this one? What’s this do? … It’s a clip and it’s for holding stuff together. Like paper. … What else can hold something together?

Kids: Tape? Paper?

Brad: Paper holds things? I don’t know if paper holds things together. … I know what might hold things together. How about these? You know what these are?

Kids: Staples?

Brad: Right. Staples hold things together. … What else holds things together?

Kids: Paper clips? … What else?

Adult: A belt?

Brad: Yes, a belt holds things together. True. …What else? Maybe glue. … Glue holds things together really well, right? Well There’s a lot of stuff that holds things together.

Brad: What holds people together?

Kid: Jesus?

Brad: Yeah, that’s a good answer. I like the Sunday school answers where it’s either God or Jesus or Holy Spirit, right? But what else holds people together? What do you think? I love the Sunday school answer, But what do you think? … No guesses from the people? … What is it? Handcuffs? Well, those do hold people together.

Brad: However, I think the answer is love. Love is what binds human beings together. It’s the ultimate glue or staple or paper clip, or tape or anything else that you can think of when it comes to other people.

In the book of Proverbs in 1,717 it actually says: “A true friend loves you at all times.

You’re going to make lots of friends at school and you’re going to do your absolute best to be a true friend and to do that you have to do to stick together like glue.

Prayer: God, we thank you for our friends. We thank you for the people that come in and out of our lives. We thank you for our families. We want to hold together. So, God, send us the love that can embrace all of us and bring us together.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, our Lord (479: vss1,2,4,5)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Psalm 1; I Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 22:34-

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

The literal word meanings are roughly as follows and without much if any debate:

Shema (A three-part word) — listen/hear news and “act on this.“

Yisrael — Israel, (the descendants of Jacob/Called Israel) and/or a “gathering”, (in Greek translated as Church or more accurately “a crowd”) in the sense of a people or congregation of “the chosen”.

Adonai — often translated as “Lord”, this word is not usually in the written form of the prayer. The prayer originally used the Tetragrammaton[1]. The people did not dare misuse the name YHWH and so did not ever say it. Instead, they used Adonai (and at other times, other words) in place of the Tetragrammaton so as not to accidentally offend God.

Eloheinu — our God, the word “El” or “Elohei” signifying God (a general term for Devine as typical in Hebrew scripture commonly as Elohim. It was originally used for all God(s)/god(s) in this area including by the Canaanites who like Israel had taken the land from more brutal nations before them. The plural possessive determiner suffix “nu” or “einu” signifying “our” and so this doesn’t mean a god (small g – a different god) and it doesn’t mean one among many. It suggests a High God of Gods (if any such other gods dare claim to exist).

Echad — Echad is the Hebrew word for “1” (the number)

As you can imagine it could be very hard to think of God as Triune the way that we do after meeting Jesus, for earlier Hebrews and even later Jewish people. The single most important verse then says that God is the number 1. And that One and Only God created, chose, punished, bought, and owns Israel forever.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One!”

Listen up God’s People. Hear this! Act on these words!

Shema Yisrael!

The Shema prayer is named after the first word in this prayer and can be found in the Hebrew Bible in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It is a section of scriptures that is thought to comprise the whole of the Law (or Ten Commandments) and is the central teaching of the Jewish faith. When one asks a Rabbi even today “What is the most important verse in the whole of scriptures?” the response will almost inevitably come… (the Shema) “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One!”

This is common knowledge to all of Israel throughout most of its existence. Few if any statements hold as much meaning. These words have been and currently are memorized along with only a few lesser portions of scripture by the majority of Jewish children at the age of 13. As soon as one is said to be an adult this prayer is intended to become a part of their daily lives.

Over time the Shema has been added to with two other major sections of scripture and is repeated more often than any other prayer in the scriptures within even today’s synagogues. Sadly, for many of us Christians however, we know only a portion of the prayer. The first half of this verse is, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD is One… BUT the second half is… Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. It continues “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Remember when we talked about this in Revelation when the Beast wanted to put its number on the hands and heads of the people?

Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” The Shema is taken very seriously. As verse 7 indicates it is recited “when you lie down” and as it states, “when you get up”. The verse is prayed in the morning before you begin your day and then again at night just before you retire to bed. It is said at least these two times each day. For most a third prayer took place as one “walks along the road”. But this is only the minimum. In other words, it’s sort of ingrained in folks and likely also, for many, rote.

What’s more, these truths are intended to be written on your hearts (memorized) but also on your heads and your hands. This prayer is about hearing God’s call and knowing God listens. That God is One and also yours.

Orthodox and conservative Jews take these verses quite literally. Not only should they do these things symbolically but also literally. And so, they would attempt to remember God with their hearts and with their deeds but at the same time Physically and Literally wear the scriptures on their bodies during their prayers. As the verse says, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and your gates.”

Because of this, many Jewish men will often wear two small leather boxes on their bodies during the prayer: one strapped to their hand with a long leather band, and the other strapped to the head much like a tiny hat worn just off to one side. The boxes contain these scriptures written in almost minuscule letters on a small scroll rolled up and kept safely in the box. The mezuzah prayer scroll is also affixed to the doorposts of the home and symbolizes the immanent presence of God with his people.

It begins… Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One!”

Though the tradition of the Shema as a morning and evening prayer is sometimes said to have found its origins in the time of Moses himself, it has no doubt gone through numerous adjustments as each new generation came to identify its centrality and importance and then incorporate it once again into its customs. Even at the time of Jesus the Shema was in heavy circulation. The Shema was the primary prayer recited during worship in the Synagogues and is said to have been used at every gathering including being used as the opening prayer at all funeral services. The Shema is recited constantly and is generally the first prayer learned and it is generally the last one said and last one heard.

It is no wonder that when Jesus is confronted with the question “Which is the greatest commandment” Jesus promptly responds with the Shema. In Matthew (our reading), the gospel author cuts the first line out thinking it is inconsequential. The second part is the shock. But in Mark’s telling of this story Mark recounts the entire comment of Jesus. It reads, “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God! The LORD is One!”

The confrontation is unique. Today most of us tend to think of the Pharisees and Sadducees as being essentially the same. But this was not the case. The Pharisees and Sadducees were the two major sects of Judaism in Jesus’ day, and they were constantly at odds with each other; both of them were routinely attempting to see which group people belong too. And because Jesus had a crowd, they wanted to know if he belonged to them. Was this renegade rabbi a respected but strict Pharisee or an educated liberal Sadducee? Or maybe he wasn’t even one of the two larger groups. Maybe he was a Zealots (like Simon) who wanted a war? Or maybe he one of those separatist Essenes living out in the desert with their own temple system? They want to know.

In our reading of today, the two most prominent groups come to confront Christ at the same time. First, the Sadducees come to him with a question about the resurrection hoping that like them he will deny the existence of an afterlife and therefore align the crowd with the Sadducees and with the Romans they happily worked with. OR would he show his lack of knowledge of the scriptures to be dismissed along with his teachings and crowds?

Jesus is not lacking in knowledge, and he is not about to agree with the Sadducees. When confronted with the question he quickly shuts them down by quoting from Exodus 3:6 and what’s more he shows the people how foolish the Sadducees have been. In this, he proves both not to be a part of the Sadducees but also quotes the texts so that he will not be seen as a heretic that they can easily condemn. And after he has proven himself to them it seems that it has become the Pharisee’s turn to take a crack at him.

The Pharisees were happy with this Jesus fella for a short moment, because Jesus had just put their competition (the Sadducees) in their place. Perhaps at this time, the Pharisees hoped that Jesus was one of them or perhaps they merely had a tricker question to test him with.

In Matthew 22:34-40 “Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

But this is where the surprise comes in. It is after all an easy question. The question had been heavily discussed among learned Jews long before (and the answer was thought to be quite clear). But this was all a part of the Pharisee’s plan. It was a rather ingenious question. If Jesus answers with the Shema, then the Pharisees show the gathered crowds that Jesus is nothing special and that he merely teaches the exact same things the Pharisees do. If on the other hand, Jesus is teaching anything else other than the Shema then they can consider him either a heretic who wishes to contradict all Orthodox teaching or a buffoon who can’t answer even the simplest of questions. The Pharisees have him in a “Catch 22. “

At first, the Pharisees are no doubt exceedingly happy with the response that Jesus gives. He doesn’t say anything out of the ordinary. “Jesus replied: “Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad” Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” And he continues on with this same section of scriptures… As Matthew says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Duet 6:4 (The Shema Prayer). They had him.

For three years now he had been a thorn in their sides. Where he had repeatedly put them down for not caring enough about their fellow people; where he had insulted them for their extremism, and their love for the law more than the people it was written to help. Jesus had just said it all. He played right into their hands. For the crowd, it probably seemed for the moment that Jesus was no different; that he knew nothing extra, that he was nothing special, that everything he had ever said against the Pharisees was only a part of some insignificant variance; some negligible detail. Essentially, they thought the same thing!!!

But the joy of the Pharisees didn’t last for long. Jesus turns the question on its head and throws it right back at them. He gives them the Shema. It would be a standard answer that showed everyone that he is not a lunatic but a careful steward of scriptures. But Jesus wasn’t done.

He keeps going. But not with the same verse. Instead, he quotes a second section of the Torah. He plucks a verse out of Leviticus 19:18 a verse that was not that well known, a verse that was not highly discussed; a verse that nobody debated or recited in prayer, a verse that wasn’t used in weekly readings at the synagogue, a verse nowhere near as esteemed or valued as the Shema. And Jesus just quotes this second verse to them as if it is completely connected to the Shema; as if you cannot do the one without the other, as if the two commands are codependent and really just one command. He says, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment (singular) greater than these (plural).”

Instead of the standard answer (singular), ONE! Jesus gives them (plural) TWO answers and instantaneously assumes that they are co-equals. There is no way to describe the shock! Jesus takes the single most important verse in the entire Bible: a verse that all the people knew; a verse that the Pharisees talked about constantly, a verse with pages and pages of historical commentary written about it, a verse that the Pharisees held in the highest regard – and then this wandering Rabbi from who-knows-where with a country bumpkin accent and adds some random verse to it???

Yeah, it’s from Moses’ Torah but it was one that had gone relatively unnoticed. But it shouldn’t have. As many have noticed the ten commandments themselves are made up of two tablets. The first is all about God (don’t take the Lord’s name in vain or make idols). The second tablet is all about people (don’t steal from each other or kill each other). The two tablets are about loving god and loving neighbour.

For Jesus the two are seamlessly connected: to truly love your God, you must truly love God’s image – and God’s image is found in all humanity. Loving God and Neighbour are one and the same thing.

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.

May you love the One. May you passionately call him your own. And may you love all His children as much as you love Him. The world will be a better place for it. Amen.

Song: I give you my heart

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Praise: Praise God from whom all blessings flow (830)

Offertory Prayer: Generous God, you are both faithful and fruitful as you embrace each new generation. Bless our gifts and make them fruitful beyond our imagining. Keep us faithful in this generation so that the inheritance we have received in Christ will continue in generations yet to come.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

Faithful God and Holy Friend, we do not have enough words to thank you for all you have given us and the love you share with us in Christ Jesus.

In the silence of this time, help us review the week just past, remembering the ways we encountered you: in the beauty of creation, the support of friends, the wisdom of books, the joy of music, the energy of exercise, through study and prayer.

A time of silence is kept.

God of comfort and challenge, we are grateful for your presence in these uncertain times, at home, at work and at school.

We give you thanks for your attention to the small details and the large responsibilities we face.

Make us attentive to the needs of those around us.

In silence we name before you those finding these days especially difficult.

A time of silence is kept.

God of persistence and inspiration, we remember before you the many who struggle to recognize your presence or fail to hear your voice amid all the competing voices in our world.

We pray for those feeling depressed or anxious, those facing grief and loneliness, and those who are worried about their health or their future.

A time of silence is kept.

Do not forget these people even if they forget you.

Comfort them and fill them with peace.

God of justice and leadership, we pray for our country and nations of the world facing immense challenges.

Guide decision-makers in these complex times and keep the hearts of those with resources open to those who do not have enough.

We pray for places where justice is lacking, where violence threatens or where leaders are untrustworthy.

A time of silence is kept.

Strengthen voices of wisdom and acts of courageous compassion to tend to the needs of people most at risk.

God of grace and guidance, You call us to be your hands and feet, your voice and comfort in the world, following the example of Jesus.

Equip us to respond to the needs around us in his name and make us bold to get started right here and right now.

And in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, we pray along with all mysteries and honours. Amen.

Song: Make me a channel of Your peace (740)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go with love for God filling your hearts, to show love to each neighbour or stranger you meet in the week ahead.

And may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.

Response: Amen, we praise your name, O God

Music postlude

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[1] The Hebrew word for God, consists of the four letters yod, he, waw, and he, transliterated consonantally usually as YHWH, now pronounced as Yahweh.

The “Behind” of God

Posted on October 22, 2023October 22, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 22 October, 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: 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: Who made this beautiful day?
P: We believe that God, the Creator, made this day –
L: God made this day so we can rest, and reflect, and enjoy;
P: God made this day so we can open our eyes and see beauty,
L: And see pain, and see opportunity,
P: And see hope.
L: So let us go into this day with our eyes and hearts wide open,
P: And let us worship God.

Opening praise: Lord, I need You

Prayers of approach and confession

Almighty God, as we gather in Your name, we are filled with awe and wonder that You love us and have called us to be Your people. We indeed have no higher calling than to offer the worship that belongs to You, O God. For You and You alone are God, and worthy of our praise. We want to worship You with our whole lives, Lord; not just Sunday by Sunday, but day by day; so that others will see and know Your glory, grace and love through us.

Loving and Merciful God, as we bow in Your presence we come with the realization that Your giving to us knows no ending. And yet, Lord, if we are honest, we will confess that we are hesitant, sometimes even resentful, to give back to You. With our money, with our time and with our resources, with our Sunday morning, we are stingy and withhold the best of what we have and release to You only what is left over. And yet, You have blessed us in abundance. Everything we have and enjoy is a gift from You. And so we pray and ask You to forgive us for our selfishness. We pray that You will help us to be as willing to give and share as we are to receive.

Gracious God, we thank You that Your mercy is as endless as Your gifts to us, and so we pray to You now and ask forgiveness for all the ways we have sinned against You and each other. Hear us, Lord, as we pray in silence to You. (Silent Prayer)

Loving God, we give thanks that You hear all of our prayers, whether they are spoken or unspoken, for we pray them all in the name of Jesus our Saviour and our Lord. Amen.

Response: We come to ask Your forgiveness, O God

Assurance of God’s love

The Holy Spirit enables us to receive the good news of Jesus Christ and to repent of our sins. When we hear and respond to the Gospel and turn to Christ, we are assured that we are forgiven of our sins. Thanks be to God! (Living Faith)

Musical Offering: Lynn and Binu

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus loves me (373)

Story: I invite the children to come to the front.

Well, good morning!

Have you ever been tricked by somebody? Yes? No?

Everybody gets tricked from time to time.

There’s a story about when people were trying to trick Jesus. They were trying to get him in trouble no matter what he would say. So they asked him this question about paying taxes and Jesus said: “Well, give me a coin. And they handed him a coin. Their penny looked like this.

See? It was kind of like our coins. Not, not very different. There’s a picture of a lady on this side and there’s a picture of Caesar on the other side and it says Caesar here and it says Son of God there.

So they handed it over to Jesus and he took it.

Jesus said: “You want me to pay taxes? Whose picture is on this?”

And the tricksters said, “Well, Caesar’s picture is on it.

So Jesus said, “Well then give to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and give to God that which is God’s.”

So here’s the lesson in that story: ”Pay your taxes.” But there’s a follow-up question, isn’t there.

Yeah, you know what it is.

If we give unto God that which is God’s, then what is God’s?

I think Jesus would have said “Everything.”

That’s a very different story, isn’t it.

If we get money from grandma or grandpa or from your cousins or a birthday party or somebody gives you a gift. We have a responsibility to share a little bit of that. But most importantly, we have a responsibility to remember whose money it really is.

Because there is nothing that exists that doesn’t already belong to God.

Prayer: Our God, we thank you for our families. We thank you even for the government systems in our world as long as they’re functioning right. We pray that we would know that what we have is from you nd that we could share it because of that.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: For the healing of the nations (736)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Psalm 99 and Exodus 33:12-23

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: The “Behind” of God

Some time ago I was reading John Shelby Spong’s Book Rescuing the Bible from the Fundamentalists. Spong is a great intellect, a previous Bishop of the Anglican (or as it is called in the United States the Episcopal Church). His departure was mutual in the end but forced as well, to be sure. For a time Spong was the go-to guy for CNN or the History Channel whenever Easter or Christmas came around and they asked “What really happened”, and so brought in the most liberal pop theologians they could find as those programs always do. He does represent an extreme perspective as evidenced by his case which threatened to remove him forcibly from the church office (which was in the end, never to be).

Now just so we are clear, Spong denies a literal interpretation too every single portion of the Apostle’s creed (which was written VERY specifically for the purpose of exposing those who were not “orthodox”.

Spong has called the substitutionary atonement (the idea that Jesus takes our place on the cross as “an example of divine child abuse”. Spong is a provocateur. His books are challenging, blunt and rude. I disagree with about 90% of what he says and I just love him. In any case, I came across this section where Spong lays down a challenge to his readers saying that there are a lot of verses in the Bible that you will absolutely never hear a sermon on (that’s been honestly written). According to Spong, most ministers are too chicken to point them out and most congregations are too unprepared to hear them anyway.

Well, I’ve got news for John Shelby Spong. That’s just my bag. I happen to like the very same verses Spong calls “texts of terror”. One of the first sermons I did here was on a psalm where the writer calls out for the blood of his enemy’s infants. Last year we did a Bible study where several readers preferred not to read the assigned verse out loud and most people snickered in surprise at the graphic details the scripture has at times. Sometimes it’s an “R” rated book people. Even today orthodox Jews aren’t allowed to read Song of Songs until they are at least 13 (and then it’s only males that are supposed to read it). Lucky for you today’s verses aren’t all that risqué. Still one of them makes Spong’s list of verses he says no minister will ever honestly preach on. It’s our reading from Exodus 33 and really, it’s not that scathing. It just might not be exactly what it first appears to be.

The truth is that this verse has caused some confusion at times. Here’s a good part of the problem. If you would pick up those pew bibles and find Exodus 33:11 and read this with me. In the pew bibles, it’s on page 80 in the Old Testament. Now let’s take a look at verse 11 first. “¹¹ Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” Now just jump down to Exodus 33 Verse 20 with me. Just down a little bit on the same page. It says, “²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Now at first, it seems that we’ve got a bit of a problem here. Two verses basically right next to each other disagree with each other. One says Moses speaks face-to-face with God, the other says nobody can do that. To be honest, though, it’s a bit of a “to-do about nothing”. The book of Leviticus spends chapter upon chapter describing the rituals done in the “tent of meeting” where vs. 11 (Moses talking face to face) takes place. The “Tent of Meeting” or the “Tabernacle” as it’s sometimes called is actually the original Temple for the Hebrew people. Because they had no land of their own and they had no permanent temple. Instead, they had a cloth-tent version so it could be moved with them in the desert. It existed in three distinct sections.

The outer tent, the inner tent and the Holy of Holies. The outer tent was an open space and contained a sacrificial alter.

The inner tent contained the Golden Lampstand, the Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense. The Holy of Holies was where the chest of the Arc resides. It contained the 10 commandments as well as Aaron’s staff which was used at the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. Here these were kept and no person was allowed entry into this space. The idea was that the Shekinah (Glory of God) was present somehow in the Holy of Holies and that God sort of sat on the Arc.

But the Holy of Holies was behind a large dividing wall; the inner tent (was where Moses went) and was filled with the smoke of incense intentionally “just to make sure he couldn’t see God”. The whole point of the alter of increase was to make sure it didn’t even happen accidentally.

In short, no ancient Hebrew would have taken this line (that he spoke “face to face” with God) literally. Moses was in a different room and the one he was in was filled with smoke so he couldn’t see anything.

Instead “face to face” was meant to be a figure of speech.

But with all that said, that’s not really why Spong thinks I won’t preach this text. See there is something else odd about it.

With the rise of conservatives in the Western world, it’s fair to say that bible translators often tone down or selectively (and very carefully) choose their words when translating certain text in order to avoid a backlash. Specifically with respect to translations intended for the U.S. and Canada a number of – I guess – “slightly off colour” allusions in the bible were … toned down for more sensitive ears. The original Biblical writers however are not toned down at all. In all truth, the Bible… it’s gritty. In fact, the New Testament form of Greek (Konie) was a kind of street Greek or slang; the kind of talk you might hear in an alleyway or ancient market. It’s almost like the New Testament was written in graffiti.

One great example of the grittiness of the Bible comes from Isaiah 6:1. Most of us here know at least part of this one. We often use these words on Communion Sunday, or we sing the words. And I am sorry you are never gonna look at communion quite exactly in the same way after this one. It says “Holy, Holy, Holy the Lord God Almighty” But it also says “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated high upon the throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.”

While Isaiah is explaining the Glory of God to his Hebrew listeners, he uses a common phrase in Hebrew to describe a man’s… “virility”. In English it doesn’t really come across but the allusion in Hebrew is pretty undeniable. Isaiah is making a reference to extraordinarily large genitals (which must then be covered by a “large train” for his “inner coat”). Modern commentators generally give a more word-for-word rendering of this verse rather than translating the expression itself and thus making the verse less clear and somewhat confusing. And so it remains, “I saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe (most people not knowing what really means) filled the temple.” Technically it’s an accurate translation of the specific words used and let’s face it… less people get offended that way. Isaiah though is particularly “colorful”. In chapter 16 he says his guts “sound out like a trumpet”. For some reason, Isaiah loves to talk about bodily functions.

Another good example can be found in Psalm 78:66. It states, “and he [The Lord] smote his enemies in their hinder parts” KJV Now there’s a term in English for smiting someone in their hind parts don’t you think?

Anyway, the point is that the language of the Bible is not always quite what we make it out to be. And sometimes when we try to see things so simplistically and so literally, we can actually lose what is really being said.

In this story of Moses and God – Moses asks to see the “Face of God”. He’s asking to know God; to have a personal conversation with Him like never before; to understand Him. Moses says, “Show me you’re Glory” Let me know the Mind of God. Moses says something simple and yet arrogant. And yet he says just what we have all said to God at one time or another. Exhausted from his work and the world around him Moses says, God, Let me see where you’re going! Show me you’re here. “Show me your face”.

Moses says in Verse 13 “Show me the way that I may know you, that I may find grace in your sight” And God responds just as he does to us. Exodus 33:14 “And God said My Face (or “My Presence”) is with you, and I will give you rest.” In short Moses says, show me your face and God says, “I’m right here!” Everything is alright.

But (once again – like us) feeling as if he is still missing something Moses cries out to God again feeling slighted somehow, “Now show me your glory!”

And God Replies “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But, you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my (And this is another one of those things…) (you will see my-) ‘back’; but not my face.”

Now the word here for “back” is אָחוֹר ‘achowr. It has a verity of meanings and implications. Usually the word means back, the back side of something, or back parts. Many commentators however believe that the word is often used to describe a person’s buttocks.

Now let’s not deny the comedy here. God may have invented mooning.

Moses asks to see the face of God and God tells him “My presence is already with you” Moses asks to see God in all His glory, and God says, “You can’t see my face, but you can see my behind if you really want.”

Now to be fair, there is another word for buttocks in Hebrew it’s שֵׁת (Shathah) (shA-th) and I actually disagree with Spong and other commentators on this. I don’t think God moons Moses. I think in this case it means something a little different – “back parts”. For me, God is essentially saying. “You can’t see my face, but I’ll show you my back. You can’t see all of my presence right now but I’ll show you where I’ve been”.

All around the world, people everywhere are looking for the face of God; for where He is, for where He’s going: for what He will do next: all the while wrongly assuming that he is absent; somewhere else… when really his Presence is already here right in front of them.

The Face of God isn’t always easy to see. Sometimes like in the tent of meeting it’s covered in smoke. But it’s there. It’s in the booming clouds, in the opening of a flower, in the smile of a child, the falling leaves, in the comforting words of a stranger. It’s at the top of Mt. Sinai but it’s also here in the prairies. It’s in the Temple and the Tabernacle but it’s in the pews of this church and at the tables in the great room. It’s in the kind word and a gentle embrace ‘case its most fully found in the Body of Christ. You may not always be able to see the presence of God with you – but it’s there – and if you really need a good look, don’t look for what God will do next in your life, don’t demand to see his face… you might get mooned. Instead, if you need a good look at God, just look back on your life, at where God’s already been.

Song: Sing a new song unto the Lord (422)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: Jesus reminds us to give to God the things that are God’s. God has been so generous to us, that truly we owe God our lives. Let us return to God what God has shared with us, so that God’s goodness can spread in the world in the name of Jesus.

Praise: Praise God from whom all blessings flow (830)

Prayer of Dedication

God of abundance, we bring what we have to share, a portion of your goodness to us. Bless our gifts and our lives, so that generosity and justice will join hands, and your goodness touches those in need.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

God of all creation, we praise you for your goodness and give thanks for your mercy.

We give thanks that through Christ Jesus you hear us when we call to you, and that you delight to listen and help us in our need. We give thanks for the Holy Spirit who beckons us toward faithfulness and leads us along true paths. We are grateful for the guidance you give us daily through the scriptures and in prayer.

You, O Lord, care about each of us and give us your time, for that we give you thanks and praise.

In your mercy, hear us now as we offer prayers for others…

In this time of global unrest, grant us wisdom and courage to seek what is pure and true and just….Bless our world governments; direct their ways so they govern with justice and fairness.

Bless us with hearts that care for others as you care for us.

Challenge us to use our wealth to bring healing and freedom to other people. Give us wisdom to use our gifts wisely in all that we do.

We pray now, O God for those known to us who are in need. We pray for who are ill or in hospital – bring healing where it is needed, relief from suffering, and comfort where there is fear. We pray for those who are walking alongside one who is ill. Give them strength and courage to meet the challenges before them. Lord comfort the comforters among us.

Song: Will you come and follow me (634: vss. 1, 2, 4, 5)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As God sent Christ to us, so Christ sends us into the world. We are to go forth into the world and proclaim Christ in word and deed, knowing that God goes with us, this day and always. May you know his glory and may you see his footprints as you look back. ((Living Faith 9.1.1)

Response: God to enfold you

Music postlude

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Bible Basics: Revelation

Posted on October 15, 2023October 16, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
Students & Colleges Sunday 10:00 am 15 October 2023
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Linda Farrah-Basford
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: Into this world we are born,
P: Into the beauty and sorrow of everyday life.
L: Into this day we awake,
P: Into possibility and the unknown.
L: Into this church we are welcomed,
P: Into God’s grace and each other’s truth.
L: So let us worship our God this day,
P: we who are called and loved.

Opening praise: This is amazing grace

Prayers of approach and confession

God of all time and space, You have called people to meet you over the centuries, in many different places, in many ways.

We praise you for welcoming us, receiving us as we are.

You hear our prayers and claim us as your own.

In this hour of worship, send your Spirit upon us. to revive our faith and guide our footsteps in the way of Jesus Christ, your Son, and our Saviour.

God of all life and each life, you know all about us, our deepest concerns, and our fondest hopes.

We confess we are often anxious to see results.

We lose patience when we cannot see progress.

We blame others rather than seek solutions.

Forgive us. Help us claim your peace when our hearts are anxious.

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s grace

While it is true, we have all sinned, it is a greater truth that we are forgiven through God’s love in Jesus Christ. Our prayers are heard. Please be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another. Amen.

Music Offering: Linda Farah-Basford

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story: Good morning everyone. How are you all doing?

I’ve got a little question for you… Do any of you have any friends?

Yeah how many? …

Wow that’s a lot of friends

I bet you make lots of friends. I bet everybody wants to be friends with you.

What about me could we be friends?

Somebody Please!!!

Okay since we’re all friends let me tell you about something I’ve been thinking about.

Last night I was thinking about all of my favourite foods. And I was thinking, Hey – I love tuna fish and I also like love choalate ice cream. So why not mix the two together and have tuna-cream. ???

Anyway I couldn’t try it because I didn’t have any ice cream but then, this morning, before I came here, I thought of some stuff that I do have so I think I’m going to try it.

(Bring out the mustard and Mars Bar)

I love Mars bars. And I love mustard.

(Put them together)

But I’m not sure if I should eat them together. But since we’re friends maybe I should ask you? Should I put them together?

You’re saying yes. OK, here we go …

That’s not good. You are questionable friends!

Maybe I should choose my friends more carefully next time!

In the Bible (in Proverbs 12:26) it says, “The good friends give good advice to each other, but bad friends lead them astray.”

This week when you go home, I want you all to remember something. Good friends will never ask you to do anything you already know is bad. Can you remember that?

Okay, let’s pray…

Prayer: God, help us to choose the good. Help us to help others. And help us to always be there for each other. And now we pray the prayer you taught us to pray.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Love divine, all loves excelling (371)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Revelation 21:3-4

Response: Glory be to the Father, and to …

Message: Bible Basics: Revelation (note the extensive footnotes)

When I was young, the book of Revelation was widely considered a mix between a horror movie and a soon-to-come-true prediction of the end of the world. Many people envisioned a dark and spiritual world behind the physical. Satanic Panic was a thing. And yet, when Jesus teaches His first disciples to pray, he says, “Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from ‘The Evil One.’ He gives evil personhood.

With that said, I want to clear up a few issues. The first is the idea of a demonic Antichrist to seek into the world. Here is the problem: In John 1:7 it states, “For many deceivers have entered the world, and claimed not the salvation of Christ and thus are deceivers and antichrists [in the PLURAL]. 1 John 2:18 reads, “My children, you have heard that in the last days, an antichrist shall come, but even now there are very many antichrists [plural] these days” [Brad’s Translation]. [i]

For everyone, me included, John is sort of saying things in a kind of code. But John isn’t trying to be confusing. For me, a key to understanding Revelation lies in understanding that in this book John does not quote from the scripture the way Matthew or I might. Instead, he is referencing the previous descriptions of evil found in Daniel, and Isaiah and Ezekiel, changing details, expanding ideas, and challenging people. By using the same exact phrases and descriptions found only in these authoritative writings John links current persecution under Rome with historical persecution under “Babylon” as a “catch-all” and so warns of any innumerable future persecutions to come.

When I was young the world was flush with views of Revelation being a checklist of things that must take place before Christ’s return. To be fair if John saw the future and he were to describe a modern-day attack helicopter he might just write down that he saw “Giant locusts” with “faces like men” but which “spit fire from their mouths” and destroyed the land. Two thousand years ago, how would you describe that? There is no shortage of striking images. Note: the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Yet for me, the scary part of Revelation (I memorized) says that “the sun turned black like sackcloth and the moon became like blood and the stars in the sky fell to the ground.” And for me, until I see that, the world plans to keep on spinning. Still, I was afraid. But I want to show you something that changed everything for me. In the Book of Revelation, there is this pivotally important section describing the “Whore of Babylon” who is attacking the Christian Church.

Now look at this coin. Ancient cities had gods. There was also a fear that to know the name of a god was to have control over that god. Some religions had secret names for gods that outsiders could not learn. Rome had a “secret” name (not well hidden) of Amora. Roma = Amora: it is just Roma backwards and this was the lead and “secret” goddess of Rome. In Revelation 17 there is an important moment where the Whore of Babylon (the big evil in the world) who sits upon a seven-headed dragon, while other beasts of war lick at her feet and sit in the rivers of chaos.

One side of the coin celebrates the face of Ceasar and the military power of Rome. The other depicts a woman called “Amora” (or Roma spelled backwards, and the “secret” goddess of Rome) drinking wine. On the coin, Roma is in full military dress (standing for strength). She is sitting on the Seven Hills of Rome (or the seven headed dragon). Her feet dip into a river (representing the god Tiberinus). There we also find a mother wolf with her twin cubs Romulus and his brother Remus whom Romulus kills to found the city of Rome on the hill he wanted. In other words, this coin is exactly what John is describing. It is a statement about power through violence. [ii]

The beast who “once was,” “now is” and “is to come” is a repeating cycle of governments who seek power and lead by violence. In this image it is Rome, but John will use Rome, Babylon, Persia, Egypt and others to describe how Kings try and fail to rule like God. The seven heads are the seven hills of Rome (all its provinces). There are also seven rulers of Rome. “So far, five have already come,” “One is there now,” and “One is still to come.” The horns are ten kings (a bunch of rulers) with short-to-come rules and will attack the Christian Church. John sees more violence coming. Nero is not the end. More trouble will arrive.

In his day, Martin Luther said nobody could ever understand Revelation, so he tore it from his bible and tossed it in the trash. Zwingli said it should “never have been included in the scriptures” and that it made no sense. Revelation is also the only book of the Bible John Calvin does not have a commentary on. [iii]

Revelation is attributed to John [iv] while he was a prisoner on the island of Patmos just off the coast of present-day Turkey. [v] likely it was around 95 AD. [vi] John penned Revelation because he was told to. He was given a vision by God and told to write it down. The book also gives a picture of the future, albeit one that is illustrated with obscure images and meant to reveal patterns and not exact details. It was written at a time when churches were facing great persecution. In a way, which had never happened before.

In the early years of Rome, the great imperial power did not take much notice of what it saw as just another strange Jewish group. By the time Revelation was written, however, the situation had changed. After about 60 AD the Roman authorities viewed Christianity as something to be suppressed. In sixty-four, a fire broke out in Rome and Emperor Nero avoided blame by accusing and then persecuting the Christians. Although Nero was on the dysfunctional side. Later emperors continued their work. They did it more officially. And more efficiently. And for the next 250 years, Christianity had no legal right to exist. [vii]

The book begins with the vision. In chapter one John writes seven letters to seven different congregations in the far west of Turkey; just below Istanbul. To each congregation, he says something kind. He follows this with a charge of hard things to hear. Before declaring each one John writes, “Let those who have ears hear this.” He does this for each congregation. Patmos is just off the southern coast of these cities.

Jesus gives John a message for each congregation: God’s word to the church at Pergamum is sharp. They have kept true and faithful despite tragedy, but they are following some false teachings. They must turn back before it is too late. Thyatira was a garrison town and the birthplace of Lydia (Paul’s friend and first Christian in Philippi). The people are told to “hold strong” to the yoke they received just as they have received it. [viii] A prosperous town and a faithful ally of Rome, Smyrna was famous for the magnificence of its public buildings. The church, however, had been extremely poor and persecuted by local authorities. God reassures the congregation and promises a future reward for the faithful. Sardis was living on old glory. It was once a great city but at the time had fallen into disrepair. The church reflects the city. While it has a good reputation it is a sleepy place and almost dead. God urges the congregation to wake up and be alive. Gather back up its strength and hold.

The church in Ephesus is praised for its integrity, endurance, work with the poor and more. But the people are struggling, and no new people are coming. God tells them to reject complacency and apathy and follow the principles they first had when they began. In Philadelphia, the congregation was “weak” and quite small. They are praised for their faithfulness in the face of persecution. God praises them for what they do and promises them a heavenly reward. And then finally a message to Laodicea. Laodicea was a rich city on a main trade route. The city, however, had no natural water. It had to be piped in. And it came from hot springs in the south. When it arrived, it would no longer be hot, but it would also never be cold. It was not ideal, and one major downfall that people often complained about. God tells the people of the congregation not to be like the water they drink. Be hot or cold he says, but never a fence sitter. Pick a side.

John has a Vision which results in a prophecy. It is full of sevens. The number seven (a symbol for completeness and holiness) is everywhere in this letter. And yet, this is not a secret code. It is just unfamiliar. But John uses common images from the Hebrew Bible and expects people to say “Hey, that sounds like…” and then go and look something up to better understand what is being said. In the vision, JESUS is risen and king of the world. He is standing by seven burning lights (as in a menorah – and as in the seven congregations he sent this letter to – “shining lights on a hill.”) Of these cities some were morally compromised, some sleeping around in pagan temples, but many faithful and others not-so-much were all facing harassment. John writes to say an evil force is constantly coming. He asks, haven’t we been through this before and finally, will the cycle ever end?

I know people like happy conclusions but in this one the bleeding lamb tells John that things can and will get worse for people and even for the faithful (they are not exempt). The culture will shift, and all Christians will have to decide who they truly follow. They may want to avoid persecution or just to join the spirit of the age. But people are recanting their faith. Jesus however promises a reward for those who endure until the end.

Next, there is John’s vision of God’s Heavenly Court – strange beings that represent God’s creation of all things. If you see twelve of something in this book it is the twelve disciples or the twelve tribes of Israel (if it’s a hidden code, it is terribly concealed). There are also four strange and scary figures representing the authors of the gospels or Four beings with animal faces that represent their attitudes. A scroll is presented showing how heaven and earth unite. And John hears that nobody can open the scroll. It has all these wax seals on the message keeping the scroll closed. No one can open the scroll. Until John hears of one that can open it. It is the Lion of Juda. However, when John turns to see, he does not see a lion. Instead, it is a bleeding lamb. He is not the victor they anticipated. And yet, this lamb is the only one worthy of opening the scroll. And so together the lamb and the father are worshiped as one by all the beings in the heavenly court.

There are seven churches, seven lights, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls and that is not the end of John playing with numbers.

These sevens are like Russian dolls (where each one comes out from inside the larger one). John is using that idea. He sees the same story unfolding repeatedly. It is a terrible cycle. This book is not so much a prediction as a repetition. As before John hears someone say that only 144,000 are allowed into heaven (12,000 from each of the twelve tribes). John hears this. But again, when John looks, he sees a heavenly nation made up of people from every part of the world. [ix] After the trumpets, John uses a lot of symbols. The “Beasts” are nations, the “horns” or “heads” they grow are leaders and rulers of a nation or family. At this point, John argues that there is a spiritual battle going on behind the scenes. Just because Rome is a beast today does not mean Rome always will be. John mixes images of a beast, a dragon, slavery in Egypt, the Babylonian exile, the Assyrian massacres, and now Rome saying, they are all THE same Evil Beast. A spiritual batter behind each warring nation. In other words, the whole book is not fortune telling about the future so much as it is a reminder of how we do the same garbage over and repeatedly.

Now at the time, many Hebrew people would say the daily prayer called the Shema. This prayer was said as the worshipers wore a tiny box on their forehead and a tiny box on their hand with the commandments tightly rolled up inside. These people keep the scriptures “on their minds” and “in their hands.” For many devout Jews of the time, this was common. And it demonstrated exactly where one’s allegiance lies. Next, this whore of Babylon comes and wants to replace the holy scriptures on your hands and head with the name of “the beast.” Hebrew letters, by the by, also function as numbers. In this case Nero Ceasar and Beast – each comes out to 666. The Nation Babylon did this, then Persia did this, now Rome is doing this, and someday – someone else will do this! John, however, now sees a harvest of faithful people.

At this point, John switches gears to a last battle. This portion may be more open-ended than most. And yet basically it says, God wants us to do right. When we do not God sometimes punishes us. Sometimes not. When not, we get off free only to throw it in God’s face and do it again. When God does punish us, we rarely change. This is the cycle of stories John now tells his readers. Still, in the end, the world gathers at the Medigo or Medigog Valley for a battle between two groups. Finally, the Day of the Lord arrives and the faithful see Eden come crashing down into Earth as the Kingdom of Heaven arrives on Earth and Everything is remade anew. And in the end, Christ arrives and is covered in blood. His weapon is just his mouth. This war will not be like others. The bleeding will be victorious by what they have done already. They come to life and live again. Those who wished to reject God and live for themselves were cut off from Him just as they wanted to be.

On a final note, John suggests that evil will someday be destroyed forever. All things are remade anew fulfilling the restoration of creation, the grade, and eternal life in a new city where only peace reigns. John expounds hope for the seven churches he thinks need support. He offers hope for the abused. He sees a promise of justice, a promise of final justice. He says that a grand reward awaits, keep strong and do not give up now. [x] In the end God wins.

Song: Praise, I will praise (420)

Our Time of Giving

Reflection on giving: The Apostle Paul urges us to think on things that on things that are honourable and just, commendable, and true. To share what we have is honourable. Our gifts can help create justice and work for truth to prevail. So, trust your gifts to God and know they are pleasing to God.

Offertory Response: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow (830)

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

Generous God, we offer to you part of the abundance your share with us. Bless our gifts and work through them, so that others will know your generosity and be touched by your love through the kindness we can offer.

God of Truth and Wisdom, We give you thanks for all those people throughout our lives, who taught us what is trustworthy and true, and shared wisdom that has shaped the way we live.

We remember our favorite teachers in school and church, in college and university, in training programs and instructional opportunities.

Thank you for everyone who has the knack for teaching.

Give all students, of every age and in every endeavour, a desire to learn for the sake of the world, not just for the sake of finishing a program.

On this Theological Education Sunday, we pray for all who contribute to the life of learning at the Colleges of our Church.

In these challenging times for ministry, guide all who teach, all who learn and all who support learning. to explore traditions of our faith and new technologies with wisdom and imagination.

Awaken in us all the trust that you will lead us into the future you are creating, and the willingness to learn when to keep and when to cast away past practices and new experiments in faithful witness.

We give you thanks for all those who taught us by example, parents and grandparents, friends, and neighbours, colleagues and even strangers met by chance.

Help us cherish life lessons and build on them in new situations, sharing them when we can.

Keep us open to learn new things about our faith, about life, and about what you are calling us to do.

We thank you for Jesus and his teaching, and the compassion he showed for his disciples when they were slow to learn.

Give us patience and compassion. when we are teaching something, we’ve learned, and make us good listeners so we learn from others’ experiences.

Song: You are holy, you are whole (828)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go in faithfulness, cherishing the lessons of love you have learned from Christ and his people so that your life will speak with that love. And may God, the Source of Love, Christ, the Face of Love, and the Spirit of Love in action bless you now and go with you into each new day. Amen.

Response: Go forth into the world

Music postlude

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Footnotes

[i] The end of days is not a short period of time. I believe that we are in the “End of Days.” But so were the disciples. We are righter than they were! Still, as far as the scripture is concerned, the end of days appears to begin with John the Baptist proclaiming “Make straight the path” for the end is near. “Near” however is relative. Most of the first Christians thought that Jesus would come back within their lifetime. The Thessalonians even got in trouble with Paul because they quit their jobs and mooched from everyone else because ‘who cares, it’s all going to end”.

[ii] In Revelation 17 there is a description of “the Great prostitute (Roma Amora), who sits above the waters (Tiberinus). With her the kings (other superpowers) commit their adultery and are drunk on her wine (which is war).” The woman sits on a red beast (All of Rome), covered in blasphemous names (the coin claims Caeser to be God), she wears scarlet, gold, and gems (stolen goods) and her hand holds a goblet of filth and atrocities. Her name is a mystery, but she is the Whore of Babylon. Maybe some things are lost on us, but the crucial points are easy. Rome’s version of Power is the opposite of Christ’s.

[iii] The Rapture – The idea of a Rapture is based on the idea that the book intends to describe future events. It was an idea first invented in the early 1900s and popularized by the Schofield Bible aimed at people during WWII as an explanation for the world at the time. The same commentary also claimed to have worked out the exact date of creation in 4004 BC. It suggested that the Devil put dinosaur bones on Earth to confuse us. And it most famously said that real Christians would not have to suffer through a period of persecution but would be “beam me up Scottie[ed]” into heaven. In the words of a former professor of mine, in 2-4,000 years, if nobody else has said it yet – that is because it is heresy. He is correct.

Futurism is the idea that most if not the whole of Revelation is meant to describe the present and the future. Taken this way, the book of Revelation describes a Millennium of the Christian Golden Era and A Millennium of Satan’s rule. Some have taken this very literally and expect a time when God will rescue the believers from hell on earth. Some believe this rescue takes place before the troubled times happen. Some think it happens after. And then again some (like me) think this is all silliness because the book describes concepts of corruption and ideals for Christian life and a future Day of Justice to believe in and hope for. It reveals that evil is not just about the ruler or theory in one time or place or nation but is instead something deeper and darker lying behind the scenes.

[iv] Tradition says that the author is John, the Apostle. Later many came to believe that the author though named John, was an early first-century church leader referred to elsewhere by the moniker John the Elder.

[v] The tradition appears as early as 140, when Justin Martyr first talked about “a certain man whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ”. Although the author simply refers to himself as John, it is truly clear from the book that he had a position of some importance among the Asian churches. However, some argue that it is different. Altogether, and instead written by a man called John the Elder.

[vi] The earliest tradition states that John was an exile on a small rocky island called Patmos, where he had been sent during the reign of Emperor Domitian who ruled from 81 to 96 AD. Again, early tradition records that John was 90 years old when he received this vision. Other theories as to the date revolve around the difference in interpretation of the symbols in the book.

[vii] In Revelation, John’s purpose is to record a vision of the end times and to encourage churches to stay strong. One of the key verses is from chapter 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice shout from the throne. God’s home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. He will wipe all the tears away from their eyes and there will be no more death or suffering or crying or pain. These things of the past will be gone forever. But the thing is, while John proclaims this day to be “at hand” he also proclaims that the day has not yet “fully arrived.”

[viii] The congregation is praised for its endurance and service but wanted against the teaching of a woman called “Jezabell” a title given to a particularly nasty person speaking false gospel.

[ix] At this point, the people of all seven churches are told to conquer just as the lamb did – in other words, to give up their lives in sacrifice and be willing to die for the truth they professed. Next, the trumpets replay the plagues in Egypt. The dreaded “Four Horsemen” are little more than a retelling of the Exodus from Egypt and a warning that God is “not safe” but rather “dangerous.” Here there is also a clue that sometimes even punishment does not bring people around.

John is told to eat the scroll. This is just like Ezekiel. Again, the author uses all the images Ezekiel does and points out that God’s people suffer but must continue to cherish the gospel as it is their only victory. Yet, nations rise and fall and evil sometimes rules. The people are nevertheless meant to share the good news that the defeated are the victors. They are meant to draw in all nations. Some do. Some do not. When the scroll is opened it says that by persecution the people will become victorious just as Christ did by his death. Follow the Lamb before the Beastly Nations.

[x] Below is a recap of every section of the Book of Revelation in just five pages:

The appearance of the “one like a son of man” is given, and he reveals what the seven stars and seven lampstands represent. (1:14–20)

Messages for seven churches in Asia which is in today’s Turkey.

Ephesus: From this church, he “who overcomes is granted to eat from the tree of life, which is amid the Paradise of God.” (2:1–7)

Praised for not bearing those who are evil, testing those who say they are apostles and are not, and finding them to be liars; hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans; having persevered and possessing patience.

Admonished to “do the first works” and to repent for having left their “first love.”

Smyrna: From this church, those who are faithful until death, will be given “the crown of life.” He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (2:8–11).

Praised for being “rich” while impoverished and in tribulation.

Admonished not to fear the “Synagogue of Satan,” nor fear a ten-day tribulation of being thrown into prison.

Pergamum: From this church, he who overcomes will be given the hidden manna to eat and a white stone with a secret name on it.” (2:12–17)

Praised for holding “fast to My name”, not denying “My faith” even in the days of Antipas, “My faithful martyr.”

Admonished to repent for having held the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put an obstacle before the children of Israel; eating things sacrificed to idols, committing sexual immorality, and holding the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans.”

Thyatira: From this church, he who overcomes until the end, will be given power over the nations to dash them to pieces with a rod of iron; he will also be given the “morning star.” (2:18–29

Praised for their works, love, service, faith, and patience.

Admonished to repent for allowing a “prophetess” to promote sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Sardis: From this church, he who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and his name will not be blotted out from the Book of Life, his name will also be confessed before the Father and his angels. (3:1–6)

Admonished to be watchful and to strengthen since their works have not been perfect before God.

Philadelphia: From this church, he who overcomes will be made a pillar in the temple of God having the name of God, the name of the city of God, “New Jerusalem,” and the Son of God’s new name. (3:7–13)

Praised for having some strength, keeping “My word”, and has not denied “My name.”

Reminded to hold fast to what they have, that no one may take their crown.

Laodicea: From this church, he who overcomes will be granted the opportunity to sit with the Son of God on his throne. (3:14–22)

Admonished to be zealous and repent from being “lukewarm”; they are instructed to buy the “gold refined in the fire”, so that they may be rich; to buy “white garments”, that they may be clothed, so that the shame of their nakedness would not be revealed; to anoint their eyes with eye salve, that they may see.

Before the Throne of God

The throne of God appears, surrounded by twenty-four thrones with twenty-four elders seated in them. (4:1–5)

The four “living creatures” are introduced. (4:6–11)

A scroll, with seven seals, is presented and it is declared that the Lion of the tribe of Judah from the “Root of David, is the only one worthy to open this scroll. (5:1–5)

When the “Lamb having seven horns and seven eyes” took the scroll, the creatures of heaven fell before the Lamb to give him praise, joined by myriads of angels and the creatures of the earth. (5:6–14)

Seven Seals are opened.

First Seal: A white horse appears, whose crowned rider has a bow with which to conquer. (6:1–2)

Second Seal: A red horse appears, whose rider is granted a “great sword” to take peace from the earth. (6:3–4)

Third Seal: A black horse appears, whose rider has “a pair of balances in his hand”, where a voice then says, “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (6:5–6)

Fourth Seal: A pale horse appears, whose rider is Death and Hades follows him. Death is granted a fourth part of the earth, to kill with a sword, with hunger, with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (6:7–8)

Fifth Seal: “Under the altar”, appeared the souls of martyrs for the “word of God”, who cry out for vengeance. They are given white robes and told to rest until the martyrdom of their brothers is completed. (6:9–11)

Sixth Seal: (6:12–17)

There occurs a great earthquake where “the sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon like blood” (6:12).

The stars of heaven fall to the earth and the sky recedes like a scroll being rolled up (6:13–14).

Every mountain and island are moved out of place (6:14).

The people of Earth retreat to caves in the mountains (6:15).

The survivors call upon the mountains and the rocks to fall on them, to hide them from the “wrath of the Lamb” (6:16).

Interlude: The 144,000 Hebrews are sealed.

144,000 from the Twelve Tribes of Israel are sealed as servants of God on their foreheads (7:1–8)

A great multitude stands before the Throne of God, who come out of the Great Tribulation, clothed with robes made “white in the blood of the Lamb” and having palm branches in their hands. (7:9–17)

Seventh Seal: Introduces the seven trumpets (8:1–5)

“Silence in heaven for about half an hour” (8:1).

Seven angels are each given trumpets (8:2).

An eighth angel takes a “golden censer”, filled with fire from the heavenly altar, and throws it to the earth (8:3–5). What follows are “peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake” (8:5).

After the eighth angel has devastated the earth, the seven angels introduced in verse two prepare to sound their trumpets (8:6).

Seven Trumpets are sounded (Seen in Chapters 8, 9, and 12).

First Trumpet: Hail and fire, mingled with blood, are thrown to the earth burning up a third of the trees and green grass. (8:6–7)

Second Trumpet: Something that resembles a majestic mountain, burning with fire, falls from the sky and lands in the ocean. It kills a third of the sea creatures and destroys a third of the ships at sea. (8:8–9)

Third Trumpet: A great star, named Wormwood, falls from heaven, and poisons a third of the rivers and springs of water. (8:10–11)

Fourth Trumpet: A third of the sun, the moon, and the stars are darkened creating complete darkness for a third of the day and the night. (8:12–13)

Fifth Trumpet: The First Woe (9:1–12)

A “star” falls from the sky (9:1).

This “star” is given “the key to the bottomless pit” (9:1).

The “star” then opens the bottomless pit. When this happens, “smoke [rises] from [the Abyss] like smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky [are] darkened by the smoke from the Abyss” (9:2).

From out of the smoke, locusts who are “given power like that of scorpions of the earth” (9:3), are commanded not to harm anyone or anything except for people who were not given the “seal of God” on their foreheads (from chapter 7) (9:4).

The “locusts” are described as having a human appearance (faces and hair) but with lion’s teeth and wearing “breastplates of iron”; the sound of their wings resembles “the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle” (9:7–9).

Sixth Trumpet: The Second Woe (9:13–21)

The four angelic beings are bound to the great river Euphrates and are released to prepare two hundred million horsemen.

These armies kill a third of humankind by plagues of fire, smoke, and brimstone.

Interlude: The little scroll. (10:1–11)

An angel appears, with one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, having an opened little book in his hand.

Upon the cry of the angel, seven thunders utter mysteries and secrets that are not to be written down by John.

John is instructed to eat the little scroll that happens to be sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach, and to prophesy.

John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

Outside the temple, at the court of the holy city, it is trodden by the nations for forty-two months (3+1⁄2 years).

Two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. (11:1–14)

Seventh Trumpet: The Third Woe that leads into the seven bowls. (11:15–19)

The temple of God opens in heaven, where the ark of his covenant can be seen. There is lightning, noises, thunder, an earthquake, and great hail.

The Seven Spiritual Figures. (Events leading into the Third Woe)

A Woman “clothed with a white robe, with the sun at her back, with the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve stars” is pregnant with a male child. (12:1–2)

A great Dragon (with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns on his head) drags a third of the stars of Heaven with his tail and throws them to the Earth. (12:3–4). The Dragon waits for the birth of the child so he can devour it. However, sometime after the child is born, he is caught up to God’s throne while the Woman flees into the wilderness into her place prepared by God that they should feed her there for 1,260 days (3+1⁄2 years). (12:5–6). War breaks out in heaven between Mihael and the Dragon, identified as that old Serpent, the Devil or Satan (12:9). After a great fight, the Dragon and his angels are cast out of Heaven for good, followed by praises of victory for God’s kingdom. (12:7–12). The Dragon engages in persecuting the Woman, but she is given aid to evade him. Her evasiveness enrages the Dragon, prompting him to wage war against the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (12:13–17)

A Beast (with seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns on his horns and his head names of blasphemy) emerges from the Sea, having one mortally wounded head that is then healed. The people of the world wonder and follow the Beast. The Dragon grants him power and authority for forty-two months. (13:1–5)

The Beast of the Sea blasphemes God’s name (along with God’s tabernacle and his kingdom and all who dwell in Heaven), wages war against the Saints, and overcomes them. (13:6–10)

Then, a Beast emerges from the Earth having two horns like a lamb, speaking like a dragon. He directs people to make an image of the Beast of the Sea who has wounded yet lives, breathing life into it, and forcing all people to bear “the mark of the Beast.” The number of the beast the Bible says is “666”. Events leading into the Third Woe:

The Lamb stands on Mount Zion with the 144,000 “first fruits” who are redeemed from Earth and victorious over the Beast and his mark and image. (14:1–5)

The proclamations of three angels. (14:6–13)

One like the Son of Man reaps the earth. (14:14–16)

A second angel reaps “the vine of the Earth” and throws it into “the great winepress of the wrath of God… and blood came out of the winepress… up to one thousand six hundred stadia.” (14:17–20)

The temple of the Tabernacle, in Heaven, is opened (15:1–5), beginning the “Seven Bowls” revelation.

Seven angels are given a golden bowl, from the Four Living Creatures, which contains the seven last plagues bearing the wrath of God. (15:6–8)

Seven Bowls are poured onto Earth:

First Bowl: A “foul and malignant sore” afflicts the followers of the Beast. (16:1–2)

Second Bowl: The Sea turns to blood and everything within it dies. (16:3)

Third Bowl: All fresh water turns to blood. (16:4–7)

Fourth Bowl: The Sun scorches the Earth with intense heat and even burns some people with fire. (16:8–9)

Fifth Bowl: There is total darkness and great pain in the Beast’s kingdom. (16:10–11)

Sixth Bowl: The Great River Euphrates is dried up and preparations are made for the kings of the East and the ultimate battle at Armageddon between the forces of good and evil. (16:12–16)

Seventh Bowl: A great earthquake and heavy hailstorm: “Every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” (16:17–21)

Aftermath: Vision of John given by “an angel who had the seven bowls”

The great Harlot who sits on a scarlet Beast (with seven heads and ten horns and names of blasphemy all over its body) and by many waters: Babylon the Great. The angel showing John the vision of the Harlot and the scarlet Beast reveals their identities and fates (17:1–18)

New Babylon is destroyed. (18:1–8)

The people of the Earth (the kings, merchants, sailors, etc.) mourn New Babylon’s destruction. (18:9–19)

The permanence of New Babylon’s destruction. (18:20–24)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

A great multitude praises God. (19:1–6)

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (19:7–10)

The Judgment of the Two Beasts, the Dragon, and the Dead (19:11–20:15)

The Beast and the False Prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire. (19:11–21).

The Dragon is imprisoned in the Bottomless Pit for a thousand years. (20:1,3)

The resurrected martyrs live and reign with Christ for a thousand years. (20:4–6)

After the Thousand Years

The Dragon is released and goes out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the Earth— Gog and Magog—and gathers them for battle at the holy city. The Dragon makes war against the people of God but is defeated. (20:7–9)

The Dragon is cast into the Lake of Fire with the Beast and the False Prophet. (20:10).

The Last Judgment: the wicked, along with Death and Hades, are cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death. (20:11–15)

The New Heaven and Earth, and New Jerusalem

A “new heaven” and “new earth” replace the old heaven and old earth. There is no more suffering or death. (21:1–8)

God comes to dwell with humanity in the New Jerusalem. (21:2–8)

Description of the New Jerusalem. (21:9–27)

The River of Life and the Tree of Life appear for the healing of the nations and peoples. The curse of sin is ended. (22:1–5)

Conclusion

Christ’s reassurance of imminent return. Final admonitions. (22:6–21)

Bible Basics: The Other Letters

Posted on October 8, 2023October 8, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
Harvest Sunday 10 October 2023 10:00 am
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie
Elder: Sam Malayang

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

Thanksgiving Food Bank Processional

Our thanksgiving to God comes during complicated times. There have been many losses through fire, storm and flood. Many harvests are diminished by drought. Some days it is hard to feel thankful. Yet we trust God can turn what we share into an abundance we cannot imagine. So, offer what you can and trust God will bless your gift and your good intentions for it.

Together we support the food bank, our neighbourhood and city.

We now dedicate our gifts and ourselves to God’s service. May every good deed be magnified and multiplied for your work and according to your will.

Prayer: Gracious God, we offer our gifts as tokens of our gratitude for what we have to. Bless our gifts and our energy so they will bless others in need in our community and around your world, for the sake of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: We gather this morning to remember our call:
P: To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.
L: We bring with us the events of the week in the world and in our lives,
P: Trying to know how to be just and loving and humble in the midst of it all.
L: We gather here, and see those who are doing justice, who are kind beyond measure, who set the example for humility.
P: With gratitude for living saints, with thankfulness for the purpose of faith, let us worship God.

Opening praise: Holy is the Lord, God almighty

Prayers of approach and confession

God of abundant love, when we hunger for fulfillment, you offer us the Bread of Life.

When we thirst for your presence, you fill our cup to overflowing.

You draw near to us in every place, at any time.

Holy One, in you our deepest desires are fulfilled.

So to you, O God, Creator, Christ and Spirit, we offer thanksgiving, honour and praise with all your people, here and everywhere, now and always.

God of abundant mercy, you see our failures to keep your law of love.

We have not always loved our neighbours as you taught.

We find it impossible to love our enemies as Jesus asked.

Forgive us all the times we failed to live out your love.

Renew in us the courage to offer others the generosity of heart you have shown us in Jesus.

Response: Glory, Glory, hallelujah

Assurance of God’s love

Friends, believe the good news! Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation; the old life is fading, and the new life has started to emerge – in us. Know that you are forgiven, and so have the courage to forgive one another.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story: “The Seagull” from More Hot Illustrations for youth talks (Blue ed.)

Imagine this scene: You are on the Florida coast. The sun is setting like a gigantic orange ball. It’s the cool evening on a vacant, isolated stretch of beach. The water is lapping at the shore, the breeze is blowing slightly. There are one or two joggers and a couple of fishermen. Most people have gone home for the day.

You look up and you see an old man with curved shoulders, bushy eyebrows, and bony features hobbling down the beach carrying a bucket. He carries the bucket up to the pier, a dock that goes out into the water. He stands on the dock and you notice he is looking up into the sky and all of a sudden you see a mass of dancing dots. You soon recognize that they are seagulls. They are coming out of nowhere. The man takes out of his bucket handfuls of shrimp and begins to throw them on the dock. The seagulls come and land all around him. Some land on his shoulders, some land on his hat, and they eat the shrimp. Long after the shrimp are gone his feathered friends linger. The old man and the birds.

What is going on here? Why is this man feeding seagulls? What could compel him to do this—as he does week after week?

The man in that scene was Eddie Rickenbacker, a famous World War II pilot. His plane, The Flying Fortress, went down in 1942 and no one thought he would be rescued. Perhaps you have read or heard how he and his eight passengers escaped death by climbing into two rafts for thirty days. They fought thirst, the sun, and sharks. Some of the sharks were nine feet long. The boats were only eight feet long. But what nearly killed them was starvation. Their rations were gone within eight days and they didn’t have anything left.

Rickenbacker wrote that even on those rafts, every day they would have a daily afternoon devotional and prayer time. One day after the devotional, Rickenbacker leaned back and put his hat over his eyes and tried to get some sleep. Within a few moments he felt something on his head. He knew in an instant that it was a seagull that had perched on his raft. But he knew that they were hundreds of miles out to sea. Where did this seagull come from? He was also certain that if he didn’t get that seagull he would die. Soon all the others on the two boats noticed the seagull. No one spoke, no one moved. Rickenbacker quickly grabbed the seagull and with thanksgiving, they ate the flesh of the bird. They used the intestines for fish bait and survived.

Rickenbacker never forgot that visitor who came from a foreign place. That sacrificial guest. Every week, he went out on the pier with a bucket of shrimp and said thank you, thank you, thank you.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For Christ’s love compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The word “compels” means literally, “leaves me no choice.” Paul is saying, “I have no choice but to respond to the love of Christ with my whole being—to say thank you, thank you, thank you!”

When we serve Christ, when we share God’s love with others, when we come to church each week to worship him, we don’t do it begrudgingly. We do it with thankful hearts because we really have no choice. It’s how we say thank you!

Prayer

Our God, we pray that you would help us to be thankful for everything that we have. Things as simple as a bed. Or food or water. All of these things can go away and yet they come to us through you. Lovely! Thank you for all that we have – for our families and the people we love. Help us to say thanks and to love back.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: For the beauty of the earth (434)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Hebrews 7:26-27; James 2:14; Jude 20:21

Response: Behold the Lamb of God

Message: Bible Basics: The other Letters

Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews is a significant text in the Christian Bible. Its authorship remains a subject of debate among scholars to this day. Early on, it was attributed to the Apostle Paul, but that needs to be corrected. The book is unique in form and is often described as a sermon rather than a traditional letter. Not surprisingly, the letter to the Hebrew is addressed to Jewish Christians, urging them to remain faithful to their newfound freedom in Christ rather than returning to traditional Judaism.

One of the central themes of Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ. The author emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, more significant than any of the prophets or angels who preceded Him. He is portrayed as the High Priest who offers a perfect and eternal sacrifice, contrasting with the Old Testament sacrificial system that required continual offerings. The book also underscores the importance of faith, presenting a hall of fame of faithful individuals from the Old Testament to inspire the readers to persevere in their faith journey.

Hebrews also delves into the concept of the New Covenant, highlighting the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice and the believer’s access to God’s presence. It explores the idea of faith as the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen, encouraging Christians to remain steadfast in their trust in God’s promises. Overall, the Book of Hebrews is a profound theological treatise that has inspired and encouraged Christians throughout history, emphasizing the enduring relevance of Jesus Christ as the ultimate foundation of faith.

Hebrews – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV): “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This verse is often called the definition of faith and encapsulates one of the Book of Hebrews’ central themes, which is faith’s importance. The entire book is a profound exploration of faith, demonstrating how faith in God and His promises is the foundation of the Christian life. The author of Hebrews provides a “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, highlighting the faith of various Old Testament figures as examples for believers to follow.

In addition to faith, Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest who offers a perfect and eternal sacrifice. The book delves into the concept of the New Covenant and how Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant, providing believers with direct access to God’s presence. The author also encourages readers to persevere in their faith journey, even in the face of trials and persecution, reminding them of the great cloud of witnesses before them.

James

The Epistle of James is attributed to James, the brother of Jesus, and is an extremely practical and morally instructive letter. Jesus’ brothers are mentioned several times in the bible Matt 12:46; Luke 8:19, Mark 3:31, Matthew 13:55-56, John 7:1-10, Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19 and few others. They were all common names, Jesus, Matthew, Joseph Jr. and Simon and Jude. Mark mentions Jesus’ sisters but does not name them. The Roman catholic church believes that these are references to cousins but all authors use adelphos in relation to them meaning “from the same womb.” James is written to the 12 tribes of Israel, dispersed throughout the world. It is often considered a “wisdom” or “proverbial” letter because it focuses on applying faith to everyday life. James famously declares that “faith without works is dead,” emphasizing that genuine faith should manifest in righteous actions and a transformed life.

Another prominent theme in James is the power of the tongue. James warns against the destructive potential of language, emphasizing the need for controlled speech and avoiding harmful gossip, slander, and cursing (not bad words mind you but the idea of attempting to curse someone). James likens the tongue to a small but powerful fire that can set ablaze a whole forest. This teaching underscores the importance of using words to build up and encourage rather than to tear down and harm others.

James addresses issues such as trials and temptations, the relationship between faith and wealth, and the call to humble submission to God. He encourages believers to be patient while suffering and seek God’s wisdom. Throughout the Epistle of James, the overarching message is a call to authentic Christian living, characterized by an active faith that bears fruit in deeds of love, compassion, and righteousness.

1 Peter

1 Peter was written by the apostle and addressed to the scattered in Pontus, Bithynia, Asia, Cappadocia, and Galatia. It provides guidance and encouragement to early Christian communities facing persecution. Peter addresses believers as “aliens and strangers” in the world, emphasizing that our faithful citizenship is in heaven for the Christian. 1 Peter 1:15 says, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” The epistle also emphasizes the concept of the Church as a spiritual house built upon the living stone of Jesus Christ. For us that isn’t such a big deal but for much of the original audience would have found it difficult. The Temple isn’t the Temple anymore. We are the Temple. And we can meet God anywhere.

Peter encourages believers to love one another fervently, to submit to governing authorities, and to show honour and respect to all people (even if it means paying your taxes). Peter’s point is that suffering is a part of their Christian journey, pointing out the sufferings of Christ as an example. ‘You think you should have it better than Jesus’ he asks. Peter urges us to respond to suffering with patience and unwavering faith, reminding us of our ultimate hope – salvation through Christ’s resurrection.

2 Peter

2 Peter is traditionally considered one of the more challenging books in the New Testament. This letter serves as a warning against false teachers. Peter emphasizes the importance of discernment and knowledge of Scripture to guard against deception. He says the only way to know if the preacher is teaching the truth is to look back at scripture and see. It was written for “all Christians.” And one of the central themes in 2 Peter is the idea of God’s judgment. Peter references historical examples of divine judgment, such as the flood in Noah’s time, to highlight the certainty of God’s judgment on the ungodly. His point is that Christ is returning and that His people should be ready. That’s why in 2 Peter 1:21, he wrote, “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

1 John

1 John, much like John’s Gospel, is a profoundly spiritual letter. It is characterized by its emphasis on love, fellowship, and the assurance of salvation (knowing that Christ saves and not being afraid that you aren’t good enough – because “good enough?” – nobody is – that’s the point of grace). It’s based on His work, not ours. John encourages believers to walk in the light, symbolizing a life of righteousness and communion with God. He contrasts this with walking in darkness, which represents a life of sin and separation from God. John emphasizes the importance of love for one another as a sign of genuine faith, declaring that “God is love.” This does not make God love mind you. God is also just and many other things. God is love. But love is not God. 1 John 4:8 says, “Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.” This verse encapsulates the central theme of love, emphasizing that God’s nature is love, and believers are called to love one another.

Much like with his gospel account, John speaks spiritually about everything. Light, Dark, and Jesus as eternal and divine. He also discusses the Holy Spirit’s role in believers’ lives and encourages us all to “test the spirits” rather than just accepting things as they come. Your conscience and the Holy Spirit are not the same thing. One voice should be loud and other quiet.

2 John

2 John is a very similar letter. One interesting thing, for me is that 2 John has a particular audience. It was written “to the elect woman and her children.” John writes specifically to this woman and her children, saying that they are beloved children of God. He tells them to be on the lookout for false teachers. He encourages them to walk in the truth, care for each other and remain faithful. 2 John 1:6 reads, “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

3 John

3 John is also addressed to an individual. It was written to a man called Gaius, commending him for his support of itinerant Christian workers and missionaries. Gaius had been funding a significant number of mission projects. John praises Gaius for his hospitality and generosity, highlighting the importance of supporting those who labour for the sake of the Gospel. This letter also mentions Diotrephes, who was apparently a man in the congregation who hated John and refused to show hospitality to him or any of the travelling teachers John sent to the congregation. Now that’s some bad publicity that won’t go away. The guy has his name in the bible. John condemns Diotrephes’ behaviour and contrasts it with Gaius’s positive example.

Jude

The Book of Jude is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, and it’s addressed to “all believers.” Jude was the brother of James and, like him, the half-brother of Jesus (both of whom came to believe after seeing their brother killed, dead and then alive again. At that point, they really didn’t have much choice but to believe. Jude’s purpose in writing this letter was to address a pressing concern within the early Christian community—the infiltration of false teachers and apostates spreading dangerous doctrines and leading believers astray. Jude cannot stand for the truth to be distorted. To illustrate the consequences of ungodly behaviour, Jude provides a series of historical and biblical examples, such as the rebellion of Israel in the wilderness and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. These examples are stark warnings of the judgment that awaits those who reject God’s messengers.

Jude describes false teachers as ungodly, immoral, and divisive individuals who follow their desires and create divisions within the Church. He calls the people doing this “clouds without water” and “wandering stars” because they are like much-needed rain that never delivers or stars you can’t follow. The book concludes with a doxology, acknowledging the greatness and glory of God, who can keep believers from stumbling and present them blameless before His presence with great joy.

Hebrews 11:1 captures the overarching theme of faith, while the entire book explores the themes of Jesus’ supremacy, the New Covenant, and the call for believers to persevere in their faith. James‘ teaching challenges the notion that faith is merely a mental assent to specific beliefs; instead, he highlights the need for faith to be active and demonstrated through good deeds.

1 Peter provides a profound theological foundation for understanding the Christian response to suffering, the importance of holy living, and the enduring hope found in Christ. 2 Peter underscores the authority and reliability of Scripture. Peter affirms that the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit and warns against those who twist the Scriptures to their own destruction.

1 John is a rich theological text highlighting the transformative power of God’s love and the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. 2 John highlights the importance of loving and obeying God’s commands. 3 John emphasizes the importance of hospitality, support for Christian workers, and the need to reject divisive and self-serving attitudes within the church community. And finally, the Book of Jude is a brief but powerful exhortation to stand firm in the true faith and to guard your heart against false teachers and divisive people.

And next week – Revelation and the End of Days

Song: We praise you, O God (425)

We respond to serve God

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

We give you thanks, O God, for all things that make life good, and pray that all people will share in the blessings we know.

For the world, for the wonders of earth, sea and sky; for beauty in nature and wildlife; and for the rhythm of the days and seasons; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For waters that refresh and sustain life; for soil that is fertile and rich; for those who tend crops and care for harvests; for those who produce, deliver and market our food; and for those who make sure the hungry are fed; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For days to work and strength to do it; for the many different gifts and talents you have given us; for those whose work is dangerous and demanding, for those whose positions are necessary for communities to flourish; and for moments of leisure and rest when you restore us; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For human life; for talking and thinking together, working on problems and plans; for burdens and joys shared; for relationships that give life meaning; and for the wisdom exchanged between old and young in mutual support: we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For our circle of family and friends; for children and their curiosity and joy; for the insight that comes with patience and experience; and for events shared and memories cherished; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For your grace in times of anxiety, doubt and grief; for healing in times of illness, confusion, and distress; for rejuvenating strength and renewed purpose; for scientific knowledge and discovery to confront disease and improve health; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

For the trust that you hear each prayer and know every need; that you love and care for each soul and body; and that you walk with us through all our days and seasons; we give you thanks, O God, and ask that all may share such blessings.

Song: We are marching / Siyhamba (639)

Sending out with God’s blessing

In this season of harvests from field and garden, walk with thanksgiving in your hearts, savouring the abundance God’s creation produces, honouring what the earth needs to flourish again next season.

And may the blessing of God, our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life, be with you now and remain with you always. Amen.

Response: Amen, we praise your name, O God

Music postlude

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Bible Basics: The Letters of Paul

Posted on October 1, 2023October 1, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
01 October 2023 10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
World Communion and Orange Shirt Sunday
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalists: Sam & Ann May Malayang
Elder: Darlene Eerkes

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: There is silence,
P: And there is light.
L: There is music,
P: And there is grace.
L: There are people,
P: And there is life.
L: There is hope,
P: And there is God.
L: Let us worship well today.

Opening praise: Forever God is faithful

Prayers of approach and confession

Steadfast God, as the seasons change, we see that you are still at work in the world, transforming hearts and situations.

You have shown us the true face of power in Jesus Christ, reaching out with healing and hope to touch desperate lives.

We praise you for your love that works for reconciliation among neighbours and nations in this divided world.

May we see the face of Jesus as we break bread at his table.

Renew our hope by the gift of your Spirit at work among us, so that we can live to praise you with the whole Church that bears Jesus’ name.

All-embracing God, we confess we don’t like to feel uncomfortable.

We often turn away from suffering or injustice, even when the evidence is right before our eyes.

We don’t like to feel responsible for reaching out, even when we could.

Forgive us, O God.

Give us courage to love others as you love us, and respond with the same mind we meet in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Response: I will trust in the Lord

Assurance of God’s grace: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ – and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven by God’s renewing grace.

We listen for the voice of God

Scripture readings (NRSV): Romans 1:17; Galatians 5:6; Philippians 3:13-14; Philemon 1:16

Response: Behold the Lamb of God

Message: “Bible Basics: Letters of Paul” (see endnotes at the bottom of the page)

St. Paul emerged around 2,000 years ago in Tarsus; situated in modern-day Turkey. At the time this was a magnificent center of higher education in addition to its beautiful landscape. [i] Born into a notable Jewish family, he was initially named Saul but like many people in the Hebrew Bible Paul changed his name (his very identity) to reflect a new spiritual identity. Paul’s journey through history is marked by his remarkable transformation and prolific contributions to growth in the early Church.

Paul’s early life included excelling in his studies and becoming a devoted disciple of a renowned first-century Rabbi named Gamaliel. Gamaliel played a pivotal role in shaping Saul’s education as a Pious One or a Pharisee. Now despite what people often think, the Pharisees were not pure evil. They were extremely well respected and for good reason. Even though historical documents and biblical accounts suggest that Gamaliel urged his students to refrain from persecuting Messianic-believing Jews, Saul deviated from this counsel. Instead, he actively participated in the trials and persecution of early Christians. [ii]

Paul’s pivotal and life-changing moment occurred during a journey to Damascus when he experienced a transformative vision and heard a divine voice questioning his persecution of the Church. At this juncture, he embraced Christianity and became a fervent follower of Christ, later known as St. Paul. He underwent extensive training with Christian leaders, embarked on teaching missions, established Christian communities, and, after a significant argument with the Apostle Peter, eventually received permission from the apostles in Jerusalem to spread the gospel to non-Jewish communities. Most of the New Testament consists of correspondence between Paul and the various congregations he established, often named after the cities they were in or the ministers overseeing them. [iii] Paul’s unwavering faith eventually led to his martyrdom by the Roman authorities. [iv]

During Paul’s time, there were professional letter writers. These were called scribes commonly. And they penned the letters from dictation. They also, as a matter of practice for legal reasons, duplicated each document for record-keeping. As a result, the early collection of Paul’s letters likely originated from Paul’s own personal library. [v]

The first letter of Paul we find in the New Testament is addressed to the Church in Rome. [vi] The Roman churches are made of Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus, calling themselves “The Way.” Emperor Claudius had at one point expelled all Jewish people from Rome, and then 5 years later, the same Emperor allowed them to return. When the Jewish followers of Jesus returned to Rome, they found a Church (run by non-Jewish followers of Jesus) that looked very different (non-Jewish) from the one they had been forced to leave. The Old guard so to speak didn’t like what the new folks had changed about the place. And so, the people fought about eating Kosher, and other issues. [vii]

Paul wrote Romans likely before Luke or John penned their gospels. [viii] And that is basically what Romans is. It’s Paul’s gospel written long before John, Luke, Matthew and perhaps even Mark. In the Letter to the Romans, Paul explains that we can have a special relationship with God through faith in Jesus. He talks about how everyone can believe in Jesus and be a part of God’s family, no matter where they’re from or the people they come from. Paul emphasizes the importance of helping one another to show our Love for God. In Romans 5:1-2 Paul writes, “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [ix] Paul’s emphasis on the universality of salvation, extending it to Jews and Gentiles, challenged the prevailing exclusivity of religious beliefs. [x]

1 Corinthians: This letter was written to a group of people meeting together in a city called Corinth. Paul strategically planted a new congregation there because it was known as a city of absolute debauchery. The Philosopher Plato refers to sex workers in “The Republic” and elsewhere by the colloquialism “Corinthian Girls.” The town had a bad reputation. To the congregation in Corinth, Paul addresses questions and concerns about living as followers of Jesus in a corrupt society. What are the sexual ethics or views on local festivals??? Paul writes about essential things in daily life and about love, unity, and how to worship together as a community. 1 Corinthians 13:13 states, “These things are steadily true: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of all is love.” [xi] This is how Paul says Christ wants us to handle our differences in the church.

2 Corinthians is a follow-up letter to say, keep strong; making the right choice isn’t often the easy choice. [xii] This is where we hear Paul’s reflections on his own personal “thorn in the flesh” come from. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). [xiii] Being a Christian, Paul says, sometimes means “taking a licking.” [xiv] Still, Paul also speaks of how God’s power can shine through our weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul hears God say to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” It doesn’t matter that he’s getting older or that he seems to be going blind. Paul doesn’t need comfort he just needs to know that through Grace, he will eternally rest in the Lord.

Galatia is a “province”. It’s like saying “the Kootenays” or “the Shuswap.” When I was a kid it was “the Ozarks”! I do love it there.

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is angry. An organized group has come to the area. [xv] They disrupt things on purpose, telling everyone to convert to Judaism and then follow Jesus and say that if you aren’t a Jew first then you’re not a real Christian. They were pulling a “Saul” on “Paul” and wanted people to follow sacrificial laws that Paul said were, already once and for all, offered under a perfect sacrifice.

This group wanted every male adult circumcised, the women to sit in a different area and to only be considered members if married; and on and on. Paul writes back and says, “Don’t follow these yahoos.” He adds, “If you insist on circumcision (cutting another contract in addition to the one Jesus offered which is just to believe), then go ahead – BUT I hope your knife slips and you cut the whole thing off” (Galatians 5:12). Paul’s response is this: In Galatians 2:16 it states, “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. So, we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law because, by the works of the law, no one will be justified.” When Paul says this, he says it as someone who was devoted to the law for life but noticed that he kept making mistakes. He knows he can’t be perfect. But he also knows someone who is.

Later, Paul writes to the Ephesians. Ephesus was a vast cosmopolitan city and a center for Roman cultic practices. Paul pens this book from prison to provide a context for God extending salvation beyond a “chosen people.” God can choose a family at will and bless them if God so chooses. That’s what God did with Israel. And now you think you’re the only special ones. No. You were meant to bless the whole world. Paul writes, ‘This is the entire story of the Hebrew Bible’. Now God is doing it again by extending the blessing even further than thought possible. Paul argues that it has always been God’s plan for the chosen to call others into the fold. Each life is precious, and each person is a part of a larger plan. In Ephesians 2:10, he tells the congregation, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” [xvi]

Philippians is often described as the “letter of joy” because of its overarching theme of rejoicing in all circumstances and of just how proud Paul is of this church. If you are looking for inspiration, this is an excellent place to find it. Paul loves this congregation. He’s in jail and thinks he will die, and he writes this congregation to encourage them because he loves them like family. Philippians is the first Church Paul started in Eastern Europe and it was full of retired soldiers as a result patriotism was generally considered the main religion in town. Paul asked the people to salute a different kind of Caesar and a different kind of wealth. [xvii] And he also asked them to keep their focus on the good. In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Keep your mind on what’s good.”

Colossians exalts the supremacy of Christ and says that everything the Church does needs to be rooted in Him. But the Colossians are a people Paul hasn’t yet visited and didn’t find it, yet a group of close friends had been involved when it first started. Paul wants to check-in. Paul has some knowledge of the congregation and speaks to them like a missionary. They think in rather vague cosmology and Paul can play that game too. Next Paul provides authority to the existence of the Church. Then, it’s all about their blessing in Christ and the world through them. He prays for their growth and success. IT REVEALS HIM AS “The First Born,” “Author and King of Creation,” “a new Adam,” or “new humanity” and a prototype for all who follow. This New Humanity will recreate the Garden of Eden again and bring all His Father’s followers with him. [xviii] Paul writes to the Colossians to remind them that Jesus is the most crucial thing in the world. He encourages them to be kind, patient, and forgiving towards others, just as Jesus. In Colossians 1:18, he tells them, “The head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

In 1 Thessalonians (which is perhaps the first or at least third book in the New Testament ever written), Paul talks about being ready for when Jesus returns. [xix] As a result of waiting on the “coming of the Lord,” people have stopped working, paying debt, and becoming dissenters in the world. While most of the Christian communities had become rather famous for their aid of those in need and communal life the Thessalonians Jesus followers decided that if Jesus was coming back, why do anything? Paul responds to this by saying ‘Get up, work, eat, live their lives and yet also be prepared’ in case the day comes, and you aren’t ready.

At this point, I recall a magnet Rev. John Dowds used to have on the lamp in our (???) office. It said, “Jesus is coming, Hide your Bong.” To some degree, Paul tells the people here something similar. He says, clean up – the Landlord is eventually coming to check on you. The book is summed up well in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. It says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

In the second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encourages the congregation to keep doing good things, even when they face challenges. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 says “My sisters and my brothers, never tire of doing what is good.” Here, Paul reminds the people “If one is not willing to work then one will not eat!” The point is not that they shouldn’t be able to eat so much as it will be less likely that they do. Still – a fair warning to be sure. [xx]

Timothy: When Paul first writes to his young friend Timothy, the 18-year-old is already the leader in this Christian community fraught with disorder and outbursts. As his mentor, Paul instructs Timothy on how to lead and teach others about Jesus, stressing the importance of being a good example. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul writes to the young leader, “Don’t let anyone look down on you just because you are young but set an example for other believers by your speech, you’re your conduct, in love, in faith and purity.”

In his second letter to Timothy, Paul reminds his disciples to keep the faith no matter the cost or circumstances. [xxi]This letter is less about Timothy himself and more about Paul’s goodbye. See, as Paul writes this, his life is over. And that’s why in 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

In Paul’s letter written to Titus, we have a similar story. Titus is on the island of Crete and has become a follower of Jesus resulting in his ministry there. Create was famous at the time for being a retirement spot for ex-mercenaries. It was also claimed to be the “birthplace of Zeus” known for his trickery. The people in town and apparently in the congregation enjoyed telling stories about Zeus seducing women through deception lies and force. In this letter, Paul tells Titus that “The God Who Does Not Deceive” sent Jesus. He says the Church is different because our God is different. And yet, Paul says everybody needs to model that! Titus 2:7 says, “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching, show integrity and seriousness.” Paul’s advice in Titus is essentially the same message I received from a retired minister (the Rev. Jack Mills) in Vancouver whose parting advice to me about his old congregations was… “Love Them. Just Love Them”.

And then, finally, we find Philemon. In Philemon, Paul writes a short yet powerful letter to his friend Philemon. Philemon owns the home used for the Church in Colossae (as in the letter to the Colossians). Like 55% of Romans, Philemon was a slave owner and one of Philemon’s slaves had run away. Along his flight to freedom, this enslaved person called Onesimus comes into the service of Paul while he is held in prison. As a result, Paul writes a letter to his friend Philemon asking him to take Onesimus back but to treat him as an equal because Onesimus has, through Paul, become a believer in Christ. In Philemon 1:15-16 Paul writes, “Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you as a fellow man and a brother in the Lord.” [xxii]

Here’s the thing – Paul wrote most of our New Testament. And the majority of what told these congregations 2000 years ago holds up.

Romans is God’s plan to offer a return to the Garden of Eden to everyone. Corinthians says don’t fight about disagreements. Celebrate agreements. Galatians says you can’t save yourself, but you also don’t have to. In Ephesians, you are saved by Grace alone, but you are responsible for sharing it. In Philippians if you keep the gospel and keep sharing it faithfully then you are a special kind of church not weighed down with bickering. In Colossians, Paul talks about Jesus as being before time and outside the limits of Greek philosophy. To the Thessalonians, he says to continue the good work but to those who refuse to work just know, yes Christ is coming back but you had better not refuse to work when it happens. To Timothy Paul says, age is just a number and it’s different for everyone older or younger. To Titus, he warns that troublemakers are coming with false and half-truths and to be aware. And in Philemon, we find a faith in Christ that truly sets the prisoners free and releases the slaves from captivity both physically and spiritually.

Song: As water to the thirsty (688)

We respond to serve God

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

Generous God, we have received so much from you in Christ and in creation. Bless the gifts we offer so that they will speak of your love for the world in all its detail and diversity. May our gifts touch the need around us in the name of Christ who makes us one. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

This table is set for all; around it there are no divisions.

Just as bread is not made from one grain, but from many, and wine is not made from one grape, but from a full harvest, so too, we, who are many, are made one in Christ.

This is a sacrament of unity.

Come and join with neighbours east and west, north and south, to celebrate Christ’s presence with us all.

Song: I come with joy (530)

We affirm our faith (together): The Nicene Creed (578)

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

We give thanks our God through your beloved Servant Jesus Christ.

It is he whom you have sent in these last times as saviour and redeemer and the messenger of your will.

He is your Word, inseparable from you, through whom you made all things, in whom you take delight.

Sent from heaven into the virgin’s womb, he was conceived and took on human flesh and nature.

Born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin, He was revealed as your son.

In fulfillment of your will, he stretched out his hands and suffering to release from suffering those who place their hope in you. And so he won four you a holy people.

Of his own free choice, he accepted the death to which he was handed over in order to destroy death and to shatter the chains of the Evil One.

And trample underfoot the powers of hell.

And to lead the righteous into light, to fix the boundaries of death and to manifest their resurrection.

And so he took bread, gave thanks to you, and said. Take, eat, this. Is my body broken for you?

(The Fraction: Breaking of the Bread)

And in the same way, he took up the cup saying this is my blood shed for you.

(Libation)

When you do this, do it in remembrance of Me.

Remembering therefore His death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and cup.

We are thankful God, that you have counted us worthy to stand in your presence and to serve you as your priestly people.

We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your Holy Church.

Gather us into one all who share in the sacred mysteries, filling us with the Holy Spirit and confirming our faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory.

Through your servant Jesus Christ.

All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with The Holy Spirit, in the Holy Church, now and forever.

And All God’s people say, Amen.

Sharing of the bread and wine

Song: One Bread, One Body

The prayer after Communion: Rejoicing in the communion of the saints, ee praise your name, most holy Lord.

We give you thanks for all your servants who lived for you, departed in the faith and are now at peace with you forever. We thank you for all saints of every age and especially those who have been most dear to us.

We praise you, Father, for mothers and sisters, brothers and fathers in the faith who have helped in leading us to you. Believing that we are still at one with them we pray that we may follow their example until that time when we feast with them in your heavenly kingdom.

Bless us by this common act and we in unity also bless you. Send us out now to be Christ to the world. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Hymn: Worship the Lord (vss. 1, 2, 4, 5): (555)

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you, and the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord turn his face towards you. And give you his peace. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Response: The Blessing

Music postlude

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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 Communion Liturgy is from the PCC Book of Common Worship (1991).
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.

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I Cleopatra and Mark Antony had previously arrived in Tarsus for a well-documented and famous vacation (42 BC).

[ii] The Talmud, an ancient Jewish commentary, references Gamaliel as a highly respected Rabbi with a student famous for displaying “impudence in learning,” which some scholars believe may refer to Paul. Nevertheless, the divergent paths of Gamaliel and Saul concerning Christianity are intriguing. While Gamaliel advocated tolerance toward Christians (noted in Acts 5:34–40, Paul is depicted as persecuting them with “murderous rage” (as found in Acts 8:1–3).

[iii] Examples include people in the cities of Ephesus, Corinth, and Rome, and pastors like Timothy and Titus.

[iv] Considering authorship: Over time, some questions have arisen about the authenticity of some books traditionally attributed to Paul, including 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. Some scholars suggest that these texts may be products of pseudepigrapha, wherein a group of students and close associates crafted writings in their master’s name based on their mentors’ teachings, memories and lessons, an honourable practice in that era.

[v] Hence, centuries later, when a book claimed to be from Paul’s hand surfaced, it was scrutinized for authenticity, recognizing genuine writings as a matter of common sense rather than a grand conspiracy. To this day, Paul’s life, and legacy stand as a testament to his profound impact on Christianity and the early Church.

[vi] Evidence suggests the letter was to pass between at least five different congregations in Rome.

[vii] In other words, this is about Christians and our relationship with the Law of the Old Testament as people who believe the Messiah has come. It was difficult because, in this one place, there were Traditional Jews, Messiah-believing Jews and even Non-Jews who followed the Messiah of the Jews. And it was messy.

[viii]

Conversion 31-36AD	Philippians 60AD
Galatians 48AD	Philemon 62AD
1 Thessalonians 50AD	Colossians 62AD
2 Thessalonians 51AD	Ephesians 62AD
1 Corinthians 54AD	1 Timothy 64AD
2 Corinthians 55AD	2 Timothy 65AD
Conversion 31-36AD	Titus 66AD
Romans 57AD	Death 67AD

[ix] The comprehensive theological discourse in Romans provides a foundation for many core Christian beliefs, particularly the concept of justification by faith.

[x] Later he is going to beat the Galatians over the head telling them that no boundary of any kind can separate who might accept the gospel. At this point in the book of Galatians, Paul presents the very often and sadly cooped prooftext, that in Christ “There is neither Jew nor gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are just one in Christ Jesus”. Much of the time this verse is taken far from its context. Paul of course is not saying here that gender doesn’t exist or that there are no distinctions between groups of people. What he is saying is that NO MATTER WHAT those distinctions are – NOTHING can stop the grace of God from reaching out to you. No group and no “class” is off limits. Grace is grace for all. God will justify and sanctify according to God’s will alone.

[xi] 1 Corinthians addresses a wide range of practical issues within the early Christian community, making it a valuable source for understanding the challenges faced by the first Christians, particularly those in an intentionally celebrated libertine society. Most people probably know Paul’s letter for Corinth from 1 Corinthians 13, which stands as the emphasis “love chapter” read at many a wedding and far more suitable for funerals. It says, “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious and does not boast and is not proud. Love does not dishonour others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Because true love never fails.”

[xii] 2 Corinthians provides a more personal and emotional glimpse into Paul’s life, revealing his vulnerability and struggles.

[xiii] I consider it very likely that this is akin to macular degeneration. It’s the kind of stuff I find interesting. I have become such a nerd. And it’s terrific! But it may well be that Paul had significant problems with his vision.

[xiv] Apparently, people in the church have decided that they don’t like Paul and want someone else. They have had guest speakers, and they prefer the visitors Paul sent to him. Paul challenges those who have become a separatist group working within the congregation in opposition to Paul. One of the things he says is that he understands they don’t like his education, don’t like his preaching styles, don’t like his clothes, and wonder how important he could be, being that he’s not blessed – Poor, sometimes homeless, shipwrecked, beat, imprisoned, working a side gig as a tent maker – They were embarrassed by Paul. And so, Paul asks a simple question: So, if taking a beating is a failure, what do you think Jesus did with his life and death?

[xv] Paul describes, as do others, a group of more traditional Hebrews that are a part of the communities where the messianic Jews had become prevalent. This resistance took it upon itself to travel behind Paul and enter congregations after Paul had moved on. They would then preach an altered version of the gospel. It was always what I call a “Christ, and” gospel. As if Jesus can’t do it and you must help. No. It’s just Jesus. You don’t have To DO Anything. That’s the whole point.

[xvi] While Ephesians and Colossians are very similar letters, Ephesians focuses on unity in the Church, then the community and beyond. Peace is essential to the plot. The book reflects on the US, “the body,” as a spiritual entity at war with another entity and adversary. We are told to be “of one mind” to counter the world’s evils together.

[xvii] Paul also reminds them of the suffering of the Messiah in Isaiah 53 in the prophets and how it if not Jesus, has never been fulfilled. Unlike Adam, the Messiah doesn’t claim power but gives it up.

Paul also says that whatever happens. He’s in prison and says, If I die, I meet Jesus. I get to introduce even more people to Jesus if I get released. Paul’s true sacrifice is not dying; it’s having to stay alive and keep preaching. He’s happy with both. At the same time, he encourages everyone to say that prison and poverty aren’t bad but teach about what is valid and vital.

[xviii] This new World to come is also multiethnic. The polytheistic group in the city is being challenged. They have lots of different gods, but Jesus fulfills the laws we find in Leviticus – because he is the end to which the law pointed. The law taught people they had sinned; it provided confession and sacrifice – torah – “reality to which all of the laws of the Torah pointed to anyway.”

[xix] He emphasizes the importance of loving and helping one another while they wait for that day. The emphasis on being ready for the second coming of Christ and Paul’s teaching about the resurrection of the dead spark’s curiosity about the future.

[xx] Paul tells the people to keep working and living but also adds two things to this message. The first is that Paul has heard of some people with “strong delusions” who are about to visit (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). These are likely the same people that visit the congregations in Galatia.

[xxi] Paul encourages Timothy to stay strong and continue following Jesus. Clearly, something has happened between this, and the last letter Paul had sent.

Bible Basics: Gospels and Acts

Posted on September 24, 2023September 24, 2023 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
Pentecost 18 24 September 2023 10:00 am
Presbyterians Sharing Sunday
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Glynnis McCrostie
Elder: Gina Kottke

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: Give thanks to the Lord for God is good.
P: We will call on God’s name and make known God’s wonderful works
L: Seek the Lord continually.
P: We will watch and listen for signs of God’s grace.
L: Together let us worship God.
P: We will rejoice in God’s presence and praise God’s holy name.

Opening praise: Come, now is the time to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

God of all creation, you open the world around us and fill it with creatures of your love and purpose.

The wonder of each creature declares your praise –

the mountains state your majesty;

the ripened field, your generosity;

the oceans your power and the skies your grandeur.

Birds flying aloft sing of your freedom; the tiny ant works with your persistence.

And what do we declare about you in our lives?

We pray that our work will honour your justice and mercy; and our relationships speak of your love and compassion.

So may we praise you, O God, not just in this hour of worship, but in all our waking and our working.

May we live your praise and promise through Christ, our Living Lord.

God, you are the giver of all good gifts, yet our generosity is often limited.

We complain about our lot.

We compare ourselves to others and see what they have that we lack.

We share some of what we have, but we worry about running short.

Forgive us our worries about tomorrow and give us generous hearts that trust in you day by day. Amen.

Response: We come to ask our forgiveness, O God

Assurance of God’s love

The mercy of our God is from everlasting to everlasting. Believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, God’s generous love reaches out to embrace us. In Christ, we are forgiven and set free to begin again. Thanks be to God!

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story

I just have a little story. It’s from a long, long time ago. I don’t know if you know this, but when I was a kid, milk was $1.50. And now it’s what? – $7 or something like that, something crazy. Things used to be kind of cheap. It also used to be a tradition that people would go to these diners, at least where I’m from, and they would order Ice Cream Sundaes. And just Ice Cream Sundaes. Do you guys ever do that?

Not a big thing? No. Well, maybe we should start.

Well, in this story, there’s a little boy. He’s about 10 years old. And the diners are really busy and the waitresses are working hard and walking back and forth all day long.

The little boy sits down and he says: “How much is an Ice Cream Sundae?” As he’s picking through his change. (Do you have change?) And she says, it’s 50 cents. Like I said, it was a lot cheaper back then. So 50 cents for an Ice Cream Sundae.

And the little boy says, “Huh!” He looks down at his change and picks through it one more time.

The waitress is annoyed and says, “Just hurry up, please.” She brings him a cup of water and slaps it down and says, “Do you want a Sundae?”

He says, how much is just a plain vanilla ice cream. And that she says, “It’s 35 cents” as quickly as she can.

The little boy looks through his money. He says, “OK, I’ll take a plain vanilla ice cream.”

She says, “Fine” and she walks away, annoyed that the little boy is there. A few minutes later, she brings the ice cream.

The little boy eats it very quickly and then runs away. The waitress still a little annoyed and having a busy day walks over expecting to have to clean up a mess of sticky ice cream on the table – except what she finds is it’s perfectly neat.

And then she notices. 2 nickels and 5 pennies.

She was in a big rush and was trying to get the little boy to just order the food and go.

But the little boy was concerned about her tip. And he doesn’t get the Sundae because he wants to leave her some change.

In the book of First Corinthians it says sometimes God chooses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chooses the weak in the world to teach the strong.

Whatever happens in life. Don’t be the person who is angry all the time. Try and be the person who is thinking ahead. – the person who leaves a couple of nickels and some pennies for the waitress.

Prayer

Let’s take a moment and let’s pray. O God, you give us so much. Help us to use what we have for the betterment of the world. Help us to treat others with kindness, to not be in too big a rush and to think ahead about other people.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: When we are living (630)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:6; Luke 1 3-4; John 3:16-17

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Bible Basics: Gospels and Acts

See endnotes for additional information.

The four Gospels and the Book of Acts record the origins of the Church’s early history; beginning with the ministry of Jesus and then continuing with the ministry of his disciples. Of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are noticeably similar, covering many of the same events, using broadly similar language, sometimes quotations and narrating the history in a similar order. [i] On the whole, Matthew, Mark and Luke see things with the same eyes but focus on telling the story to different audiences and with different foci. Most experts agree that Mark was the earliest of the Gospels written and that, as a result, Luke and Matthew used Mark as a main ingredient in their telling of the events as they received them.

In contrast, the Gospel of John is hugely different. It was written much later and focuses on just a few events in the life of Jesus, preferring instead to look at Jesus spiritually as being “One with the Father.” And so, In John, we get far fewer speeches and quotations from Jesus and more of John’s explanation about what these events truly mean for us today.

These are the “gospels” or “good news” to the world as recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

So, what is Acts? Well, the book of Acts is just the second part of Luke’s Gospel. Luke is a historian and early physician, and he created a two-part book. Part one (we call it “Luke” after the attributed author) is about the Acts of Jesus. And part two (we call Acts) is about the Acts of the Apostles.

Because Luke-Acts is a two-part and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have so much in common, we will look at things in a slightly different order than they are presented. I will talk about Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, and then John. But let us start at the beginning – with John Mark.

Mark gives a short, action-movie-like account of the life of Jesus. The narrator moves from place to place quickly. While it is the most concise book of the Gospel accounts, it has the most stories and sayings usually facilitated by one word Mark often uses: “Immediately.” Everything in Mark happens “Immediately“. Because of this, his book is not in chronological order as modern readers might expect. Instead, he lumps similar things together into categories or themes. So, he presents a grouping of teachings about money in one place and then offers a chunk of events next It intends to focus on the major themes of Jesus’ teaching.

Of the 250 stories from the gospels which have been determined to be in some way unique, at least 89 of them appear to have been taken from Mark and used by the other authors later. John Mark, lived in Jerusalem with his mother, Mary. We know from history that his home was the first meeting place for Christians and is the location of the Last Supper. But John Mark is not one of the twelve. Mark is a student of the Apostle Peter. He is recording Peter’s Gospel. The Gospel, according to St. Mark, is the Apostle Peter’s Gospel, shared with us by Mark. In this book, Jesus tells parables but has no sermons. Later, Mark will become an influential leader, following Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey.

Probably written around 50AD, Mark includes nothing about Jesus’s birth… or his early life… nor any details about his age or length of ministry. He records Peter’s account of Jesus’ death. And he places a lot of emphasis on the place of prophecy in Isaiah 53 regarding the crucifixion.

Mark’s Gospel begins not with Jesus himself. But with John the Baptist, who is presented as a forerunner and a character like Elijah (both of which were said by the prophets to come before the Messiah, making straight the path). Mark’s theme is simple: Jesus is the Son of God. And this is recognized not only by Jesus’ followers in Mark but also by the stories of non-Jews which Peter has (probably reluctantly) shared with Mark. Take, for example, the Roman centurion and the repentant man next to Jesus on the cross. What might it mean for Peter to tell this story to Mark? In it he says that while Jesus was being mocked and tortured, the people who were supposed to hate him, were the only people who understood what he was doing?

Mark was writing for a Greek and Roman audience. He makes a point of telling people that they aren’t alone in seeing something special about this Jewish Savior despite being a part of a conquered people. Mark was meticulous in explaining the Jewish customs for us and translates Aramaic words and phrases into a more accessible language.

Also and rather important is this: The book of Mark has no original resurrection account. That deserves repeating. In the original form, Mark recounts Jesus’ life and death but says nothing of his rising from the dead. But my contention is simple: that is by design. No early versions of Mark yet discovered include a resurrection account. Does that mean Mark did not know them or did not believe them? No!!!

Mark leaves it out for a reason. His audience already knows the story. Mark and Peter, ask a question. Together, they have been preaching the “gospel” all over the known world. And now, it is written down. But the story they know is missing. They are just getting the background. And that is the point!!! [ii]

He is asking a question of them.

The book is written with the big invisible question mark at the end. The Jesus of Mark’s Gospel spends quite a lot of time telling his followers to keep the “messianic secret” and not tell the world about him until he has completed his mission. By the time people had received Mark’s Gospel, the people had already heard the story. It was well known. A man working miracles who is said to be raised from the dead with thousands of witnesses, some still alive, makes for an exciting read. When Mark leaves off the end, intentionally, he gives people what Paul Harvey called “the rest of the story.” Mark is saying you already know what the witnesses say happened next. I am giving Peter’s account, right? A witness!!! The only question now is this: Do you believe it?

Matthew is one of the 12. He’s Matisyahu or Levi, who was a tax collector and, in many ways, an outsider to the other disciples. He was seen as a traitor who worked for the occupying army of Rome in taxing his people. But he is Hebrew, and he speaks to others like him. Matthew is writing a commentary on Jesus more than a history. He is making a pronouncement and trying to prove to his fellow Hebrews that Jesus is the one, the Messiah, the chosen, and a New Adam.

Matthew is easily the most Jewish of the Gospels. While Mark was writing to the Greeks, Matthew was preaching specifically to Jews about a prophesied Savior of the Jews. Matthew believes that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah spoken of in the books of the prophets. And this book is his argument as to why Matthew believes this. Because of this, Matthew is highly concerned with the fulfillment of the prophecy. And it is fair to say that he sees proof everywhere in Scripture. He emphasizes Jesus’s family and links with David as the Messiah was said to hold.

Matthew looks at the fulfillment of specific prophecies in the prophets and deeds. Matthew believes the Jewish faith finds its purest expression of God in Jesus, who can be seen and followed. In short, the Messiah is the Word of God come alive. As a result, Matthews’s portrayal of Jesus often reflects the idea that he is King to be worshipped. Suppose you hear a scripture reading about Jesus and people, come bearing gifts, put a crown on his head, gather to listen to his teaching, call him lord, or see him bowed down to, or giving commands. In that case, it is a quote from Matthew’s Gospel.

Matthew’s Gospel reflects his Jewish heritage. In his Gospel, Matthew gives the male lineage of Jesus. An angel appears to Joseph. There are visitors from the east who bow down to baby Jesus and call him King. The family must escape the murder of the first-born sons (like Moses), escape to and from Egypt (like Moses), wander in the desert for 40 days (like Moses’ 40 years) gives his message from a Mountain and much more. Matthew focuses on complete sermons and gives us the five messages (5 books of Moses) of the “Sermon on the Mount” from the “Son of David.” The Jesus of Matthew is baptized by a Jewish teacher, dedicated in the temple, preaches in the Hebrew region of Galilee and he calls Jewish fishermen to follow him as their Rabbi. [iii]

Matthew saw the prophecy fulfilled by: Jesus being born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, by his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, by his rejection, condemnation, silence before accusers, attacks and being spat upon, by being betrayed by his own, tried and condemned without sin, mocked and insulted, hung on a tree to die, by his suffering with criminals, by him being given vinegar and gall, by how he loses his clothes by casting lots, is hung on a tree, has no bones broken at death, participates willingly as a sacrifice and finally, by how he is raised from the dead.

Next is Luke. Luke is an educated man, a physician, and a historian. He also appears to have taken great care to interview many people before writing his Gospel. His Gospel is also the most prominent because it has two parts. The author’s name does not appear in the book. It was probably written around 70 to 80 AD. Luke’s point is to proclaim the good news specifically to the oppressed and the poor, to the woman and the foreigner. Luke is obsessed with pointing out how Jesus interacts with non-Jews and deals with social constraints. He (a doctor) is also the one who talks primarily about works of healing.

Luke aims to write a proper history of what happened. He declares this at the very outset of his book, saying he has “set out to create an orderly account”. Luke’s Gospel is full of tax collectors, prostitutes, people with leprosy and thieves. News of Jesus’s birth comes first to poor working shepherds in the fields and other humble people. Significantly, Luke’s Gospel shows respect for women in highly unusual ways. Luke is without question a first-century feminist of sorts, and so is Jesus in his Gospel. Luke’s Gospel begins with two mothers celebrating pregnancy. Much of this is exclusive to Luke’s account.

The heroes of this book, along with the Messiah, include Gentiles, a Samaritan rescuer, a persistent mother and more. Luke also contains poems and songs written by women. Luke has Elizabeth’s song and the Magnificat of Mary. In Luke Jesus speaks of the blind who see, lame who walk, and (political and religious) prisoners who are to be set free.

In Mark, Jesus is the Servant of God and brings a message to the Gentiles. In Luke, he calls Jesus the “Son of Man”, God but human. He focuses on Jesus’ humanity as “Emmanuel” or God with us. Unlike Matthew, who wrote to Jews and recorded Jesus’ lineage, Luke gives Mary’s lineage instead. The angel in Luke appears not to Joseph but to Mary. John is imprisoned, Harod Kills John and Jesus raises to life a widow’s son. Women gather at the grave, are the first to hear of the resurrection and pay the bills and provide the homes the disciples meet in.

In Luke, Jesus sends out 72 messengers he calls “disciples” and not just 12. He tells us about the “Good” Samaritan (a foreigner), the healing of a crippled woman, Mary and Martha’s day-to-day life, he teaches us one version of the Lord’s Prayer, speaks of light within, criticizes specific religious leaders, speaks against hypocrisy and false accusations, shares the parable of the rich fool, tells his followers not to waste life away with worry and recalls the woman at the well and more. He notes a call to repentance, teaches what “the kingdom of God is like,” over and over again and cries physical tears over Jerusalem. In Luke, Jesus goes to a funeral, teaches about the Lost Sheep, Coin and Son, upturns the honour and shame society and describes a great feast in heaven where all God’s children might share in His blessings.

After the resurrection and the beginning of the Church’s early life, it was a time of great conflict. There is conflict between Jewish and Roman authorities, conflict within Christianity, and conflict within the Jewish community of which the Christians were also a part. In the late first century, there were two general camps of Judaism worshiping together in the synagogues: Jews and Jews who believed in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. There is a conflict between the Messianic-believing Jews and the non-Messianic-believing Jews. In case it is lost on you – we are the messianic-believing Jews. And this is the great sadness of antisemitism from Christianity – it is just a self-hating ideology which completely misunderstands who Jesus is.

In Acts, the book’s primary power comes from the giving of the Holy Spirit. At the end of Luke (part one), Jesus promised to never leave and that His Spirit would come upon all his people. From Acts, we learn about how the Holy Spirit fills and empowers the people. Here, we find out about a man named Saul who is killing Christians. We understand that Saul becomes Paul. We find Paul’s missionary journeys and where he came from. And finally, we see how the apostles travelled to “all the ends of the earth” (meaning, at that time – Spain) and preached the Gospel. And lastly, we move to John.

John, the Apostle and close friend of Jesus is said to have authored the book of John to proclaim that Jesus is God and that faith in him saves all who believe. In John, Jesus is the Son of God, meant for all people. He is not only human but Divine in every way. His only decree is that you “believe” and then behave as a believer naturally would. The focus is on Jesus’ teaching and the meaning of Jesus in a cosmic sense – in seeing Christ as the crux of all human history and all future.

In John, God becomes flesh, calls disciples, turns water into wine to demonstrate who he is, turns over the tables at the temple because people it is literally His Father’s house. He heals the blind, teaches to the Jews, confronts his people, and claims to be eternal. He heals Hebrews at the pool of Shiloh, and Gentiles in their towns, claims divinity, sees his followers reject him, heals on his journey, and suggests that everything is spiritual. John also presents Jesus’ bold “I AM” statements. At the time, these were seen as blasphemy because Jesus claimed the name of God given to Moses which no person was supposed to speak. Metaphorically, Jesus says 7 times, “I AM the bread of Life,” “I AM the light of the world,” “I AM the door of the sheep,” “I AM the resurrection and the life,” “I AM the good shepherd,” “I AM the way, the truth and the life,” “I AM the true vine.”

John is vastly different from all the other gospels and has the least in common. It tells “history” but does so as it views history cosmologically. So, for example, many people will say John’s Gospel has no birth narrative for Jesus. But this needs to be more accurate. It is different, for sure. John’s birth narrative is about meaning rather than events. So, where Matthew and Luke talk about the birth of the Christ child and him being laid in a manger and about visiting worshippers, John tells the story of creation. To John’s Greek audience, he announces Jesus’ birth by introducing Jesus as the God of creation and as the Greek idea of “message” or “thought,” “meaning,” “purpose,” “speech,” and narrowly defined as “the Word” (a title used for Jesus 330 times in the NT). John writes, “In the beginning (Like in Genesis) was the Word (logos).

Next, John says that this “Word was God” and took part in creation and that everything is made through Him. He says that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. And in Him, all things were created. And nothing that is created was created without Him.” In other words, John does not see Jesus so much as being “born” as he was “relocated.” For John, Jesus is a part of everything from beginning to end. For this this is why people are “saved by no other name,” and why John 3:16 is so pivotal to John’s view.

John was written withe imagery, and the style of the book is like none of the other Gospels. Furthermore, where John agrees with the synoptic gospels and lays out the same material, he always holds a different perspective. In John, Jesus never speaks a single parable. Instead in John, Jesus gives a series of speeches. The book uses complex language and imagery at times. The author also gives comments and explanations or interpolative notes. In John, Jesus also makes some divine statements, using the Holy name for God about himself. He has “I am the true vine”, “I am the door of the sheep”, “I am the way, truth, and the life,” “I am the resurrection and the life,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the light of the world” and “I am the bread of life.”

Mark asks – Do you believe what the witnesses said happened next?

Matthew shows us a new Adam and a new Moses who fulfilled the law and the prophets and came to save.

Luke and Acts reveal Jesus’ humanity and care for all as well as a challenge to us his followers to do the same.

And John reveals the Divinity and majesty of the one we worship; explaining what Jesus means today – Savior of the world.

Amen.

Song: For God so loved the world

We respond to serve God

Specifically, In 2022 the PCC • hosted over 300 websites • posted 50+ leadership webinars on presbyterian.ca • helped 135+ congregations invest in the consolidated portfolio • facilitated over $1.2 million gifts of securities to 100+ congregations.

Presbyterians Sharing is how we support each other’s congregations and new initiatives in the denomination. Most of this is intended to be used as funds within Canada and missions here locally including our new area ministry which is currently serving four Alberta congregations.

This Sunday The Presbyterian Church in Canada celebrates the ministry and mission we accomplish together through Presbyterians Sharing. Your gifts to our shared work in Jesus’ name accomplish amazing things across Canada and in different parts of God’s world. So give with generous hearts.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

Generous God, you are the source of all good things, of life itself and all that sustains it. Bless the gifts we offer and the gifts of fellow Presbyterians this day. By your Spirit, multiply their impact to support your purposes in the world you love in the name of Christ, our Saviour and Friend. Amen.

God of mystery and wonder, we look around at the beauty of the world and sense that you have given each precious thing its place and a way of sustaining itself.

Thank you for your attention to the details of creation.

Yet we also see an aching world and sense that many precious things are under threat.

Bless the work of faithful people everywhere to care for the climate and environment.

Show us how we can protect what is at risk for the health of your whole creation.

God our Maker, make us a sharing people.

God of energy and life, we look around at the peoples of this world and see your imagination and dignity in every variety of face and culture.

Thank you for the gifts you plant at the heart of humanity.

Yet we also see the aching of the hungry and hurting, and hear the groans of parents whose children die in their arms and the cries of children who fear tomorrow.

Bless the ministries of our church across our country and around the world that bring healing and hope to lives at risk.

God our Maker, make us a sharing people.

God of promise and possibility, we look around at the places where people collide with each other and hear the grumbling of nations locked into old rivalries and new grievances.

We watch the jousting of leaders impressed more by polls than effective policies.

We worry about the future of our communities and our children.

Thank you for the ministries of advocacy our Church undertakes and the witness for justice and peace we make together in Jesus’ name.

God our Maker, make us a sharing people.

God of faithfulness and surprise, we look at ourselves and sometimes doubt we can make a difference or have an impact.

Challenge us to recognise the kinds of power we do have:

The love and compassion,

The courage and commitment,

The laughter and friendship,

The generosity and mercy.

In all of these gifts we know your power at work within us and among us.

Call us to keep serving together, trusting you can do more than we can ask or imagine through our denomination, our congregation, and our own lives, blessed by the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Song: May the God of hope (726)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go, remembering God’s generosity to us in Christ and in creation. Be generous in kind and in kindness to all who reach out to you. May the power of the Spirit strengthen you, and the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge fill you with the fullness of God this day and evermore.

Response: Go forth into the world

Music postlude

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[i] This has led Matthew, Mark, and Luke to be dubbed Synoptic Gospels, or “together seeing gospels,” due to their overlap about this “Good News.”

[ii] Later, during the Dark Ages (while the Roman Catholic Church provided no way for ordinary people to read the Bible independently), some people became nervous about this question and added an ending. They still need to add another later one. None have been considered original at any point except by King James. BUT NO ancient manuscript includes this ending. Not ONE. It is not authentic. The only other place where this is true is the story of Jesus saying to the adulterous woman (let ye who has no sin cast the first stone). Those two stories in the entire NT were never intended to be in our Bible.

The Ending of Mark. More endings. It is not Original and was invented in the early Middle Ages. It was a well-known story when only catholic priests could read the scriptures. King James loved the story. His translators would not include it. He demanded it. They would only do it with an ancient copy of the report. Lo and behold – one appeared. It has been in the Bible only since, but also ever since – in the KJV. Know this: every translator has included a note to kindly suggest it is unoriginal to the text. There are only two stories like this in the entire New Testament.

[iii] Matthew is where we find Jesus, talking about Salt and Light, the Law, anger, lust, divorce, retaliation, loving enemies, giving to the needy, lessons on prayer and fasting, worry, money and “knock and the door will be open unto you.” It’s also where we find the parables of yeast, weeds, hidden treasure, pearl of price, fishing nets, ten virgins, loaned money, and the Day of Judgment.