Worship on the Second Sunday in Lent
10:00 am March 16, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan     Welcoming Elder: Renita MacCallum
Children’s time presenter: Brad     Reader: Tracy Childs

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

Call to worship:
L: We have started down a road that will take us to the cross.
P: It is a journey we take together, and a journey each makes alone.
L: We are invited to notice things on the way –
P: To notice the sharp stones, the uneven ground, the mercy of shade, the faithfulness of those who walk with us.
L: We carry little with us but that which is in our hearts:
P: Hope, trust, fear, apprehension, wonder, sorrow.
L: On this walk we rest and sing and pray and listen.
P: In our worship, we rest and sing and pray and listen.
L: Then let us worship God.

Opening praise: O praise the name of the Lord, our God (Anástasis[i])

Prayers of approach and confession
God of the universe, full of love and guidance,
When our world feels hectic, You bring us peace.
When we can’t find truth, Your word stays strong.
When we’re scared, Your presence makes us brave.
When we’re sad, Your love gives us hope.
We come to pray and praise You today,
seeing You in the beauty of nature,
in the kindness of Jesus, and the Spirit’s help and wisdom.
We worship You—the holy Trinity, forever three, yet always one.
God of kindness, we admit we often choose comfort, putting our plans above Yours.
We shy away from doing what’s right,  and sometimes forget our promises to You.
Forgive us for complaining too much.
Have mercy on us.
Give us strength to do Your will and serve others, like Jesus did. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

Friends, though we have all made mistakes, the bigger truth is God’s love in Jesus forgives us.
For anyone who seeks God’s mercy, know this:
Through Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.
Be at peace with God, yourself, and each other.

Song:  Open our eyes, Lord

Dayspring Singers

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Open our eyes Lord (445)

Children’s Time

In the middle of a group of chickens. There stood an eagle. He was full grown, king of all birds, eagle. But there he was, scratching around in the dirt, looking for tiny worms and insects. And little seeds. The seagull was clucking. Cackling and flapping his wings. And was flying one or two feet at a time, before returning to the ground. Understand this was an eagle.

He had a six-foot wingspan and could have flown around in the clouds, but instead, he just fluttered around inches from the ground. His eyes were keen and sharp. His talents and his claws were even sharper. They were supposed to make him a threat to every small bird and mammal that came near him. But the only thing that this eagle was a threat to was perhaps an unsuspecting bug. Why was the eagle acting like a chicken?

Well, here’s the story. A young boy found an eagle egg and didn’t know what to do with it and so he took it home and he put it inside the nest of a Prairie chicken. The baby eagle hatched and it grew up with the other little chicks. He never saw another eagle. He only saw chickens. All of his life he only saw chickens, and he thought he was one of them. The eagle learned from them and mimicked their every move.

One day, when the eagle was growing older, he looked up into the sky and for the first time in his life he saw a giant bird soaring on the wind far above him. What is that beautiful bird? The eagle said to the chicken standing next to him. What is it? Well, that’s an eagle, the king of all birds, the chicken said. But don’t give it a second thought. We’ll never be like him.

And so the Eagle did just that. He never gave it a second thought, and he lived the rest of his life digging around in the dirt, believing he was a chicken. Ephesians 210 says For we are God’s handiwork, and we are created in Jesus Christ to do good things. Those good things which God has prepared for us in advance to do. Rather than comparing yourself to those around you. Seek to understand God’s plan for your life. You may find out you’re way more eagle than chicken.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: The God of Abraham praise (331: vss 1,2,5,6)

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18

Response: His truth is marching on

Message: Cutting the contract

Our Bibles have two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Testament is another word for Covenant, or perhaps simpler yet, Contract. The idea is that God made agreements with humanity.

Contracts were different in the past. And not to be too blunt, but blood is involved every time God strikes a covenant. Think, for example, about our communion services. Before we take communion together in any Presbyterian Church in Canada congregation, the minister will quote Paul, who is himself quoting Jesus, who said of the wine, “This is a New Contract with the Father, sealed (or more accurately CUT) in my blood. Drink this in remembrance of me. Making contracts with God is a bloody business.

Generally, most theologians agree that only a handful of significant contracts are cut in the scriptures between God and God’s people. The language of “cut,” sometimes translated as “sealed,” comes from using scrolls. At the time, you would write out the details of a contract on a scroll. When everything had been penned, the two parties would take a knife and cut the contract from the larger scroll. But again, it isn’t just that. It’s a bloody business, and the knife has multiple purposes.

God makes a covenant with Noah not to flood the earth again in the Bible. In the story, God places a giant BOW (not rainbow – that’s a different word). He puts a weapon intended for hunting and killing enemies, and God places that weapon in the sky. In the story of Noah’s Ark, God is like a hunter who hangs his bow on the wall. Regarding this, the more literal Lexham Bible translates thusly:  And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between you and me, and between every living creature that is with you for future generations. ¹³ My bow I have set in the clouds, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between me and between the earth. ¹⁴ And when I make clouds appear over the earth, the bow shall be seen in the clouds. ¹⁵ Then^[a] I will remember the covenant that is between you and me, and between every living creature, with all flesh. And the waters of a flood will never again cause the destruction^[b] of all flesh. ¹⁶ The bow shall be in the clouds, and I will see it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and between every living creature, with all flesh  upon the earth.” ¹⁷ God told Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I establish between me and all flesh upon the earth. (Genesis 9:12-17)

Now, here is another example of a covenant being struck. It’s found in Jeremiah 34:18-19 and is a little cryptic if you don’t understand what’s happening. It says, “¹⁸ Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces. ¹⁹ The leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests and all the people of the land who walked between the pieces of the calf-” are subject to it.

What’s happening is that a promise is being made. At the beginning, they take a calf and a knife, and they cut the animal right down the middle. Then, they set one-half to the left and one-half to the right. Then, both parties “walk between the two pieces of the calf. They are saying, If I break my deal with you, may I be CUT in half like this Contract is CUT from the document? And also, if I break my deal with you, may I be CUT in two pieces, just like this sacrifice. And remember, at the time, there were not a lot of diverse ways to show you meant what you said and that you were worth investing in. You couldn’t just go down to the local bank and get a credit check.  Sacrifice, which went to nothing in particular for daily use, showed you meant business. In any case, cutting the covenant meant putting your “money where your mouth is.” It meant a sacrifice. It meant so much, blood and sweat and tears. It meant work.

In the same way, when even less severe contracts were CUT things are still very serious… well, let me read you  example. In Genesis 24:1-4, Abraham was now ancient, and the Lord had blessed him in every way. ² He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. ³ I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, ⁴ but will go to my country and my relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.” Think about what is taking place here! He makes a promise. And at the same time, the other person cups his hand “under the man’s thigh who is swearing an oath!

In reality, this is a not-so-vulgar way of saying, If I break my promise and tear up the contract we have made,  you have the legal right to CUT off my… ability to have children (hench the hand under the thigh).

When God makes a contract with Moses and gives the 10 commandments, Moses takes a sacrifice and pours the blood over the altar to seal the deal. (Exodus 24:7-8)

God CUTS the contract with the people!

In Genesis 15, God establishes a covenant with Abraham through a ritual like the one I just talked about. Traditionally, it’s been called “passing between the pieces,” it involves cutting an animal in two and laying one on each side. One or both people walk between the pieces. According to the Hebrew Bible, the covenant of the pieces or Brit Bein HaBetarim is an essential element of the ancient Hebrew faith.

But here! Here, something rather unexpected takes place. It’s not just two people agreeing.  In the story, the divine presence passes between them. In the Old Testament, God appears most often as fire and smoke. These occurrences are referred to as the Theophany (God’s Fire). The text reads, “¹⁰ Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other”, “¹² As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.” And “¹⁷ When the sun had set, and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. ¹⁸ On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram-”. God told Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars and that if He broke his promise, God would cut himself in two as punishment. Later in Genesis 17, God adds the sign of circumcision for Abraham’s descendants, marking them as His chosen people. And again, they cut the contract with a knife.

In Genesis 15:1-6, God reassures Abraham, telling him not to fear and affirming His protective nature. The promise of numerous descendants is reiterated, and Abraham’s faith in God’s word is credited to him as righteousness. And just as the animals were cut, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross defines the blood of the New Covenant. As Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins,” linking the sacrifices in Genesis to the sacrificial system and, ultimately, its fulfillment in Christ.

During the Last Supper, Jesus refers to His blood as the “blood of the new covenant.” This covenant fulfills and exchanges its place with the Old Covenant and is cut through His sacrificial death. Each covenant shows more of who God is and extends to more and more people in the process until, ultimately, God makes a contract with us through Jesus to be the end all be all of the contracts. It’s what all the other contracts were pointing to.

See, at the core of all these agreements in the Bible lies the overarching Covenant of Grace. This covenant undergirds all others, revealing that God’s salvation plan depends not on human effort but on His grace. Just like when God passed between the pieces while Abram slept or an infant at baptism, we too are passive recipients of grace.

Through grace, God extends His love and mercy to humanity, allowing us to participate in His redemptive story. The echoes of grace resonate through every covenant, showing us that God’s heart has always been to restore and reconcile His people to Himself. We find the apex of this covenant narrative in Jesus Christ, who established the New Covenant in His blood. In Luke 22:20, Jesus declares, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

The New Covenant fulfills the prophetic words of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34), where God promises a time when He will write His laws on our hearts, and no longer will God require sacrifice because the new one (Jesus) is perfect, and so never needs repeating. We no longer bound by the old covenant law; instead, we are given a new heart and spirit based not on birth but on God’s love for us an our response to that.

This new covenant invites us into rules and a personal relationship with the Creator. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are offered forgiveness and the opportunity to dwell in communion with God, a relationship grounded in love and grace. The New Covenant also introduces the Holy Spirit—the Comforter who empowers us to live according to God’s will. But while we are free from the sacrifices and contracts of the old covenant, we cannot and should not forget why… covenants are bloody.

In the Book of Revelation, chapter 19, Jesus is described as wearing a white robe drenched in blood. And it is his own. The New Covenant is similar to the Old. It’s CUT. Fortunately, God has made our part of the contract pretty easy, relatively speaking. He already took all the cuts with the idea that even if we break our end and He keeps His end, He still meant it when He passes between the pieces. God is willing to die for those HE loves. The new covenant in His blood implies that although we have much to contemplate during Sunday communion, Jesus has already kept up not only His end but also kept up our end of the deal for us. The only thing left for us to do is accept the grace and believe that our Lord is mighty enough to bring up back into a right relationship with the Father… to know the Lord and Saviour.

he blood poured out by Christ not only cuts the New Covenant but also signifies a promise of relationship, redemption, and renewal. May we approach the communion table with thankfulness, recognizing the weight of this covenant and the grace that allows us to partake in it. Go forth, beloved, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, to live in the light of this truth, sharing the hope of Jesus’ love and sacrifice with a world longing for grace and peace.

Every Sunday, when we take up the cross or proclaim God’s forgiveness, we participate in the New Covenant. We proclaim Him Lord. We believe in an overarching covenant of Grace given to us. But if we are going to take our faith seriously, we must also remember that covenants are bloody business. Thanks be to Jesus Christ, the one who bled and died for everlasting peace. Amen.

*Song: O for a world where everyone (730)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves
God of strength and comfort, we pause to pray for Your world, even when we’re busy.
Today we lift up:
All people in their daily work—
our families, friends, neighbors,
the people we work with, and strangers too.
Be with anyone who feels stressed or tired.
We remember our church community,
our leaders, and everyone who helps our faith grow.
Help us support each other and focus on a hopeful future.
We pray for our community, country, and the whole world,
and for everyone fighting for justice and peace.
Send Your Spirit to protect those without a voice and to challenge wrongs.
We pray for those who suffer from hunger, fear, unfairness, and hardship,
those rebuilding from disasters,
and all facing danger, sorrow, or trouble.
Bring them comfort and neighbors who care. Amen.

Song: Amazing grace (670:vss 1,2,3,4,6)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go in peace and be brave, hold on to what’s good, don’t repay evil with evil.

Help those who are weak, support the troubled, respect everyone, and love and serve God.

May the blessing of Almighty God— Creator, Christ, and Spirit— be with you always. Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

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 License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) 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] The word “anastasis” comes from the Greek words “ana” (meaning “up” or “again”) and “histemi” (meaning “to stand”). 

Worship on the First Sunday of Lent
10:00 am March 09, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Linda Farrah-Basford     Welcoming Elder: Jane de Caen
Children’s time and Reader: Lynn Vaughan

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: Friends, let us worship God today, for God is great –
P: God has blessed us with life, with faith, and with community.
L: Let us worship God today, for God is good –
P: God forgives us, and encourages us, and loves us.
L: Let us worship God today –
P: Because we are God’s people.
L: Let us worship God.

Opening praise: Come now is the time to worship

Prayers of approach and confession
Holy and merciful God, you are our refuge and strength.
We rejoice in your grace and love which has called creation into being, and makes all life complete.
We praise you for Jesus Christ who reveals your loving purposes for all people;
in his face we glimpse your love;
in his life we see the pattern for our lives.
We bless you for the Holy Spirit who guides us and strengthens us, drawing us into the embrace of your tender love.

And so we praise you, O God, our eternal, creating father who loves us with motherly care, united with Christ, our Saviour, and your Holy Spirit, the breath of life, Three in One, now and always.

Almighty and most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you
in things we have done, and things we have neglected to do.
We have held back from giving to protect what we have.
We have not trusted in your goodness and instead relied on the world’s empty promises.
Forgive what we have done and direct who we shall become.
Please help us to serve you by serving your world with generous spirits.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord

Assurance of God’s forgiveness
Hear and believe the good news! Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation.
The old life is gone. The new life has come.
Know that you are forgiven, and so, in Christ, forgive one another.

Musical offering: Dylan Mohammed and Peter Sheridan

We listen for the voice of God

Response: Open our eyes Lord (445)

Children’s time

Story: Good morning, boys and girls. In about 40 days, we will be celebrating Easter. We call this 40-day time period Lent. Lent is a special season of prayer where we take a look at our own lives and make sure we are doing what God wants us to do … and becoming the people God wants us to be.

Now, everyone stand up and follow me; we’re going to do a demonstration. I want you to pretend someone has asked us to come and play in the park. Let’s go! (Make a little trip around the pulpit, past some chairs and get them to stop up front)

Ok, there is the park; it looks like they are having fun there. But first, let’s pretend there is a road right in front of us here. What should we do? Should we just go straight across? (Let the children respond.) That’s right. We need to STOP. (Have the children join you as if you were all lined up on the edge of a road ready to cross.) Then what should we do after stopping? That’s right, we need to LOOK to see if a car is coming. (Get them to look both ways.) Then what? That’s right, we need to LISTEN for vehicles on the road. (Put your  hands up and cup your ears.)

OK, we took time to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN. It looks safe so now we can cross.

Children, what you have just done is very important. If we are going to keep safe while going to all the exciting places we want to go, we need to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN before crossing streets. In life, it is important to do the same thing!

We get so busy with activities and school and work and stuff, we are often in a rush. It’s very important that we take time to STOP and find time for God. We need to LOOK around and think about what we are doing. We need to look at ourselves. Are we doing what God wants us to do? Are we becoming the sort of person that God wants us to be? And finally, we need to LISTEN to God, by reading the Bible and taking time to pray. Speaking of praying, this seems like a good time to show our friends here at Dayspring the song we’ve been learning in Sunday School. (Children sing ‘Standin’ in the need of Prayer’, then sit down again.)

Children’s Song: It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord

So, remember: the season of Lent is when we should take time to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to all the things that God wants us to do with our lives. Let us pray …

Prayer:

Dear God. Thank you for your love. Help us always remember to STOP being so busy, to LOOK closely at ourselves, and to LISTEN to the plans you have for us during this season of Lent.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: Come thou fount of every blessing                              

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Instrumental  Response

Message: “Tested”

It was an incredible scene. To Him (Jesus), the river was not just another body of water. It was a special place in the hearts of the Jewish people. It was the water parted for Joshua. Crossing it after Moses died was his final step as he led the people out of 40 years in the wilderness. The place where heroes of the faith had walked was a sacred place where Elijah and Elisha had come and walked upon dry ground like a miniature parting of the Red Sea. In popular Jewish folklore, it was the place where a whole class of angels known as God sent down the Grigori[1] to observe the actions of His people.

It is where Naaham was healed from his affliction and pain. The river’s water flowed down from Mt. Zion, the Holy Mountain. The water feeds the plain, and the Hebrew Bible calls the ground he stood on “the Garden of God.” The snowy mountain peaks shot into the clouds just off the distance. The ground was a kind of hard clay his feet would sink into. The river was surrounded by lush vegetation and beautiful low-hanging trees. The sweet smell of poplars filled the air as white pups of seedlings floated around like cotton dancing on the wind.

The river itself served as the natural border between Syria and the promised land given to Abraham’s descendants. It was a scenic place. Wildlife came from all around to drink from its calm waters. The water flowed smoothly from the melted snow at the mountaintop, and the river fed the Sea of Galilee, thus nourishing the greatest source of income for the local people who fished the nearby lake.

Jesus stood there on no ordinary ground. He stood there with a man he respected, perhaps above all other mortals. It was his friend, his family. It was John the Baptist, and when Jesus stepped out into that water, he also stepped out into his ministry to his people. This is where it all began: the baptism of Jesus. As the Bible tells us, Jesus came out of the water and was greeted by the voice of the Father in Heaven as the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove. And this great voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” It is perhaps the single most beautiful picture in our Holy Bible. And yet… it comes with a catch.

This beautiful story of Jesus’ baptism doesn’t stand alone. It appears in all three synoptic gospels, and every single one begins the story similarly. Right after the Spirit descends upon our Savior, the devil appears.

In our reading from Luke, it says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into (NOTE THAY IT IS NOT THE DEVIL WHO LEADS HIM BUT GOD’s SPIRIT) the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Directly after he is baptized, right after God looks down on Him with the proud and swollen eyes of a loving Father, the story tells us that the Holy Spirit takes Jesus into the wilderness to be tested by the Devil himself. Notice, the Bible doesn’t say, “Jesus went out into the desert too fast,” or Jesus “was to be tempted 3 times.” It says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” In Luke, it says, “For 40 days he was tested”.

Now, I can’t count on all the hands in this room the times that I have faced temptation. Temptation is simply a daily struggle for every human being. As a wise man once said, “I wouldn’t be so tempted if temptation wasn’t so darn tempting.” It is an inescapable reality of the human condition. And it is inevitable. Right when we’re at our highest points, we stand at the river with the sun on our backs and feel the most like children of God… That’s often the very moment when our most significant challenges come. Because that’s the moment when God knows we are most capable of handling them. Jesus knew this. As Luke will later quote him, “Someone who does not know, and does wrong will be punished only lightly. But to whom much has been given, much more will be expected in return.” (Luke 12:48) If you face challenges, it’s because God believes you have the power to overcome them.

At the same time, I must confess this is one of those verses that I just plain don’t like. This is one I wish wasn’t in there. I’d like nothing more than to take a pair of scissors and cut that right out of my Bible. Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t much care for exams. I’ve never been too good at tests. And here Jesus says, the more I learn, and the closer the relationship I develop with my Lord, the more God is going to expect of me! I tell you, that is no easy pill to swallow.  It seems the gift of knowing God’s love can be a bit of a two-edged sword. Because the closer we come to the Father, the more responsibility we have; the more he has the right to say, “You should know better.”

When I think about this story of the temptation of Christ, I feel the most profound concern and sympathy for Jesus. Because as much as we might think we know God, I can promise that when the devil appeared to Jesus, no other person on this earth had ever had the Father expecting more from him. To say that Jesus “was tempted” is a hopelessly weak understatement. It is a frail and puny shadow of the truth. I know temptation. But I have never been face to face with the adversary. And I don’t know about you, but I cannot fathom the level of temptation Jesus had dangled in front of his face. And yet, he just shrugged it off like it was the junk from a broken garburator. My struggle with whether or not to tell my waitress she forgot to include my dessert on my dinner bill seems so puny compared to what Jesus was offered.

After being tempted by the Devil for 40 days, starving, smelling of the desert heat and the wild animals, emaciated, in his most vulnerable state, the skin simply hanging off his skeleton – the Devil asks a famished Christ to turn stones into bread (something that doesn’t even appear to be a sin). Jesus waves his nearly lifeless arms and shrugs the very notion of it away. He quotes the bible (Moses from Deuteronomy 8), “Man cannot live on bread alone” [But only by every Word of the Lord]. Jesus does not need to prove that God will provide for him. And he doesn’t need to prove that he’s the Son of God. So when the Devil takes him up to the Temple and says, “Throw yourself off if you are the Son of God, and He will protect you,” Jesus again turns to the scriptures for his answer. He turns to Exodus 17, and quotes, “Do not put the (YHWH) LORD your (Elohim) God to the test.”

I’ve probably noted this previously, but in the story of Adam and Eve, the words YHWH Elohim for “The Lord God” are used for God’s title. It’s how God is referred to throughout that narrative. Elohim is the general word for God in Hebrew, but YHWH is the personal first name of God given to Moses –  YHWH (meaning I am what I am). Throughout the story, God is referred to in this very personal way. And this (sometimes called the Sacred Name or Tetragrammaton) is God’s “first name” and is used in every instance the Father is referenced.

Well… accept for this one special time. See, the serpent in the story doesn’t do that. It’s the only time in the story it happens, only once. But in the story, the serpent simply refers to God as Elohim (as if God is some general deity who is largely unknown). But the serpent simply will not (or perhaps Cannot) speak the actual Name of God. And there is something very powerful about how that is communicated.

In our story of the temptation, something similar is going on. See, at the time, the Essene Community of Hebrews who lived in the desert generally held to the reading of 4 different Psalms used for the exorcism of evil spirits. Psalm 91, which we read from today, is one of those four psalms used to rid the world of the demonic. This is something that is missed by today’s average reader but would have made this story seem like an absolute horror movie to its original audience.

The Hebrews had grown up believing that the Devil and his minions could not stand to hear the word of God. But here, not only does the devil hear the words, but also speaks them himself as if they have no power over him.

And what’s worse yet, the devil actually speaks the very words of the Psalm that people used to exorcise evil. It’s like a huge red flag in the story to tell its listeners that this Devil cannot and will not be sent away. He’s here to stay, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

For the original audience of this story, things seemed insane and terrifying. The very words they used to rid the world of demons mean nothing to this Devil. Not only do they not send him away or “cast him out,” but he is the one who speaks them.

But, much like that story of Adam and Eve, while the deceiver speaks the words of scripture, he twists them. “Did that Elohim (he wont say the name) really say not to eat of the fruit?” he says.

I think there may be a message that is not so hidden.

Similarly, here, the devil taunts Jesus. Quoting the exorcism Psalm, he adds a twist. Not only will God watch over you, as the scripture states, but the Devil also claims God will send his holy angels to swoop down and rescue Jesus for a later purpose. And again, the twist. That may have been correct. Still, the evil one uses the Bible but twists it, takes it out of context and adds things.

Remember, Jesus and all of his people lived in a country taken over, defeated by, and still occupied by a foreign empire. When the Devil shows him every kingdom in eye’s sight (even his beloved Jerusalem, at the very moment – oppressed by Caesar and his army) and says all you have to do is “bow to me,”… Jesus says No. When the Devil offers, “You can free the people, you can make this world the way you want it to be; you can fix it all – Just Bow down to me… Jesus says No! When the Devil says you can still be the Messiah, God has given me the power to give that to you; Jesus says, “No.” And all the while, knowing that he would suffer and die on the cross, a beaten and rejected man, Jesus was offered the Keys to the Kingdom, but again Jesus said, No! And again he for the third time quotes Moses from his period of 40 Years in the desert. He quotes Deuteronomy 6, saying, “You shall worship the LORD your God and Serve Him only.”

And there you have it. This seems like a natural ending to this story for many of us. Jesus defeats the Devil and proves that he will not abuse his power. He shows that he will do the Father’s will even if it might mean death. He teaches us all how we, too, can confront the work of the Devil and the temptations of our daily lives by holding on to the Word of God and not allowing it to be twisted. Everything is all tied up neatly in a package with a great big bow on top. But the truth is… that is Not where this story ends.

For me, the final verse in this story is perhaps the most revealing line. It is an eerily daunting verse. It says, “When the Devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until a more opportune time.” … Like a grenade from a fleeing army, this line flies at us and explodes as the Devil retreats his position but is still very much in the war. And I can picture him now whispering to himself under his breath… “Don’t get too excited. It ain’t over yet”.

Jesus has won the battle, but the war against temptation remains. It did for him, and it certainly does for us.

Humorist Sam Levenson once said, “Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we’ll find it.” Few truer words have ever been spoken. The fact is that temptation is a part of what it means to be human. Temptation comes when we are at our highest points. It comes when we stand by the beautiful river banks, basking in the love of God. It comes, too, when we find ourselves in strange places, wandering around in the desert with the wild beasts. It comes in subtleties and asks us to make bread out of stones, little things that initially seem harmless enough. Temptation challenges us to question who we are and who we worship. And even when we think we’ve won, it will come again because we should know that “It is not over yet.”

In life’s journey, temptation is an inevitable companion, appearing when we least expect it and challenging our resolve and faith. Just as Jesus stood at the river, grounded in purpose and washed in divine approval, so must we anchor ourselves in the unwavering truth of God’s Word. Despite Jesus’ decisive victory over the devil, the narrative serves as a potent reminder that temptation is relentless, returning when we are most vulnerable or least prepared. But with each encounter, we can fortify our spirit, drawing strength from Jesus’ example and the scriptures that guide us. Temptation may lurk, waiting for the opportune moment, but we are assured that God’s presence and promises are an ever-present help. As we navigate the trials of life, let us uphold the integrity of the Word, resisting all distortions that aim to lead us astray. By embracing this divine wisdom and leaning on the community of believers around us, we can confront temptation not as lonely warriors but as guided souls, ever-mindful of the eternal victory that is ours through Christ.

But also, please keep in mind that your adversary twists the scripture, and the only way to combat that is to study it yourself. Amen.

Song: Forty days and forty nights (197)

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!

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves

God of grace, you are our Judge and our Hope.

Transform us with your love and harness our energy for your purposes in the world into which Christ came and for which he died. Hear us as we pray for the world, the church and our community:

We pray for your creation, staggering under human activity and expectation demands.

May this planet be held in reverence in every culture.

Where we are tempted to use resources carelessly, where human lifestyles endanger homes and habitats of other peoples or other species, where immediate gain tempts people to give no thought for the future, send your wisdom to guide citizens and decision makers to act responsibly.

We pray for the Church facing the challenges of rebuilding ministry and mission in times of uncertainties and possibility.

Where congregations are tempted to guard traditions and resist new possibilities,

where members magnify differences instead of celebrating our unity in Christ, where energy for leadership and community life has grown tired, send your healing and transforming grace.

We pray for relationships tested by conflicts and the lack of mutual understanding.

Where families are tempted to nurse grudges and harbour complaints, where friendships have been wounded by misunderstanding or neglect, where workplace tensions have arisen over clashing opinions or exhausting demands, send your reconciling and restoring mercy.

We pray for a world filled with increasing threats and conflicts.

Where countries are torn by unrest and persecution, where communities are diminished by prejudice and discrimination, where those with power and authority degrade or dismiss their critics, empower those who work for just solutions and advocate for the powerless.

We pray for all who are troubled and find it hard to face uncertain times. We pray for those who face illness or loss of any kind, for those challenged by economic hardship, and for those faced with the reality of death, their own or someone dear.

In silence, we name those on our hearts this day:

Keep a time of silence

Embrace each one with your compassion and courage.

Even as we remember the many challenges around us, we give you thanks for the blessings we know, for moments of pleasure, for laughter shared, for conversations that brightened a day.

Thank you for your steadfast love and the comfort we draw from your presence with us in all things. Amen.

Song: Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us (647)

Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in peace; be of good courage,
hold fast to what is good,
render no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honour all people,
love and serve God,
and may the blessing of God Almighty,
Creator, Christ and Spirit
descend upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

————————————————————————-

[1] – The Grigori are a group of angels who were created to shepherd humans on Earth

Worship on Transfiguration Sunday
Sacrament of Holy Communion     10:00 am      March 02, 2025
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Rom Rhoad     Reader: Godrey Esoh, Jr
Welcoming 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
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: Well, here we are this day, gathered together so we can worship our God together.
P: Some of us here for the music, and some for the friends, and some for the cookies and coffee.
L: And we are all here because of God.
P: Now is the time to give thanks, to unload our hearts, to share our lives, and to hear the Story again.
L: So, friends, let us worship God.

Opening praise: I lift my eyes up

Prayers of approach and apologies

Loving God, you show Yourself to us in so many ways.

In bright sunlight and soft whispers,

on high mountains and flat fields,

in classrooms and hospital rooms,

in our homes and our churches,

in quiet moments in nature and the noise of the city.

Your presence comforts us, pushing away our fears, and Your touch helps us overcome our doubts.

We come to celebrate how good You are, to focus on Your light, and to give You all our praise and thanks, for You are our God, and we are Your people, now and forever.

In Your mercy, please hear us as we confess our mistakes:

Compassionate God, as we stand in Your light,

we admit the things that keep us from sharing Your goodness.

We often get distracted, wanting more than we need.

We focus on our own disappointments instead of trusting the bright future You have for us.

We feel disheartened by the struggles of this pandemic and sometimes miss the hope You offer us through Christ.

Change us with Your grace,  and help us be followers of Christ each day. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

Do not be afraid. God’s forgiveness shines into our lives.

The light of hope rises in our hearts, and we are made new.

Know that you are forgiven, and in Christ’s name,

remember to forgive each other as well.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: We have come at Christ’s own bidding (187)

Scripture readings: Exodus 34:29-35 & Luke 9:28-36

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Not horns but rays of light

One of the people’s greatest tragedies would be living in darkness when they could live in the light …

Rose Crawford had been blind for 50 years. Then, she had an operation in an Ontario hospital. She said, “I just can’t believe it,” as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes. She wept – when, for the 1st time in her life, she saw a dazzling and beautiful world of form and colour greet her eyes, and she could now see.

As a side note, I remember my mother telling me once that as a child, she believed trees to be large green cotton-like amorphous blobs—until she received her first pair of glasses. With clearer vision, she saw individual leaves for the first time and understood the world in a new and more detailed way.

With that aside, the fantastic thing about Rose’s story is that about 20 years of her blindness was utterly unnecessary. Rose didn’t know, but recent surgical techniques had been developed and available for over two decades, which could have restored her sight much earlier. She had assumed that her condition was hopeless, and had resigned herself to living in darkness. And she’d been through quite a few physicians over the years, and what was perhaps most important had slipped through.

When Rose finally underwent the surgery, she experienced a profound transformation. Seeing the world in vivid colour for the first time, she was overwhelmed with joy, awe, and gratitude. Flowers, faces, skies, and everything she touched revealed life’s new and wondrous dimension.

Reflecting on her journey, Rose could not help but think of the many others living in similar darkness—physically and spiritually. Her story became a powerful metaphor for spiritual enlightenment and a reminder of how often we might miss opportunities for change because we are unaware of what is possible.

Just as Rose had been blind to the physical light available to her, many people go through life unaware of the spiritual light available through faith and belief.

In the reading from Exodus, we have this strange scene. It is the second time Moses has come down from Mt. Sanai with the tablets of the Ten Commandments. These are the replacements for the first set; Moses broke physically in response to people’s breaking of the first two literally as they bowed before the golden calf.

Now, the story says that the glory of God was reflected upon Moses’ face after meeting with the Lord. And the way it is put has confused and confounded people for years. A plain English reading clearly says that Moses had an encounter with God, and as a result, his face physically glowed with light. If you have ever seen a religious painting or a picture of an angel, that is what the Halo around their heads is supposed to be depicting. It’s supposed to be an emanating light from someone who has encountered God.

Now, the Hebrew words here are really and oddly specific. It says that the actual skin of Moses’ face glows and shines with Karen’s “radiance” or “rays of light.”

Now, in an odd twist of fate, this verse was translated from Hebrew into Latin for the Latin Vulgate edition of the Bible, which the Catholic Church deemed a perfect translation. This was the only official translation of scripture that they allowed to exist. Many early protestant leaders were executed because they chose to translate the Bible into English, French or German. That was a serious crime, you see, because God (they said) had already handed down a perfect edition to the Holy Roman Church.

But there is one big problem with that. When this verse about Moses was translated into Latin, the translator took the very literal meaning of Karan (for “rays of light”). And the exact word for word of that in Latin would be, “and his skin grew horns.”

The phrase Kanan figuratively describes the tops of the flickering flames (horns of light). When the phrase was written in Latin, it translated Karan as “Moses’ face grew horns.”

Unfortunately, this “perfect” translation of this morning’s text then led to the very rampant belief throughout the Middle Ages (and especially in France) that Jews had horns. Interestingly, if you have ever seen Michelangelo’s statue of Moses, you might recall seeing that Moses had two short horns atop his head; so much for God’s perfect Latin translation. Luckily, the Roman Catholic Church officials allowed another translation of this verse to be considered authoritative… after just 500 years.

Now, a little closer to the source, it might be worth noting that in ancient Mesopotamian literature, there was a concept called “fearless radiance,” which suggests that after meeting a deity, a person would shine with light and so have to hide their face. Thus, certain religious priests wore unique masks while meeting their gods. Because of this, some have suggested that this portion of the story exists as an anti-myth polemic… which is a fancy to say, “an insult.” See, if the other traditions in the Sanai area used masks in cultic worship to hide their faces as proof that they had met with God, the God of the Hebrews would prove their God better by making Moses’ actual face glow with a shockingly bright light for all to see as proof that Moses had indeed met the divine.

Some see this story as a compelling statement which was meant to say to the people, “God does not want statues of animals or people behind masks to represent his glory but rather… otherwise ordinary human beings are to show God’s glory in how they live out the commandments God has given.

In his Commentary, Dr. John Durham states that nobody knows the answer to the question of what’s going on here or how it is intended to be taken. He says, “In fact, we simply do not have enough information to enable us to form any clear understanding of what is meant by the use of קרן (Karan) to describe what happened to the skin of Moses’ face as a result of his close communion with Yahweh (the LORD), but the key must certainly lie in Yahweh (the LORD) and not in Moses… It is at least possible that קרן (Karan) was deliberately used [rather than [the much more common]word  הֹאִיר for “shine or give light,”… because the narrator intended to suggest a light that was separate from Moses’ person, [something God did through His glory, and NOT something that came from Moshe.]

Whether you see the Karan of light God placed around Moses as an affront to masks or idols, as a trustworthy, literal physical and miraculous glow or even if you think the bit more exact word-for-word rendering (horns) is faithful, it is up to you. Moses was growing horns, whether figurative or literal; whatever you believe, the point is unchanged. Moses comes down from his very secluded time with God, having absorbed the brightness of Yahweh’s Presence, and thus Moses is visibly different in some way because of that. He is changed! And people can see it! THEY SEE IT ON HIS FACE!!!

The apostle Paul talks about Christ in this verse from Exodus. In 2 Cor. 3:16-18 he says, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the mask is taken away.  Now, the Lord is the Spirit; where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we all (with unmasked faces) contemplate the Lord’s glory and are being transfigured into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit”.

The Message Bible says, ” And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.”

The problem is we aren’t always very good at it. I’m not very good at it, at least.

Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian who actively opposed the Nazi regime and its policies. He is best known for his book “The Cost of Discipleship,” where he explores what it means to follow Christ. He ultimately paid the ultimate price for his faith and resistance to tyranny, sacrificing his life for the principles he believed in. His story resonates with the call to “take up our cross” and follow Jesus, as he embodies self-denial and commitment to God’s mission.

C.S. Lewis warned us. He wrote, “The safest road to Hell is the gradual, gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, milestones, and signposts.”

In a small town, a girl named Lily had a medical condition that kept her in and out of the hospital. Despite her challenges, she radiated a contagious sense of joy. Each time she had a procedure, she would bring her bright red balloon, symbol of hope and happiness. The medical staff came to know Lily well, often greeting her with smiles and encouragement as she brightened their day, even when in pain.

One winter, after several weeks of treatments, Lily was at her hospital for one of her routine procedures. As she lay in her hospital bed, anxiously waiting for the doctor, she noticed a new nurse—Kim—looking visibly stressed and weary. Kim had been working long hours, and the holidays were approaching, making her feel overwhelmed and disconnected from the season’s joy.

Lily, recognizing that familiar heaviness decided to do something special. Determined, she took her red balloon, which seemed to glow brightly in the dim hospital room, and asked the nurse to come closer. Lily said, “Would you like to hold my balloon? It’s my favourite colour—it always reminds me that there’s light and hope even in the toughest times!”

Kim hesitated, a bit puzzled, but took the balloon. A smile broke through her exhaustion as she felt its softness and looked at the vibrant red against the stark whiteness of the hospital walls. “Thank you, Lily. I needed this today,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Lily shared stories about the things she loved—her family, the holidays, and her dreams for the future. She radiated hope and joy with each word, lighting the room around her. The hospital, often a place of sorrow and uncertainty, became a space of warmth, laughter, and light. Kim felt the weight on her shoulders lift as they chatted, finding a renewed sense of purpose in the simple connection with Lily.

A few days later, Lily was discharged, and before she left, she handed the balloon to Kim. “Keep this balloon. Whenever you’re feeling down or tired, remember that there’s always hope,” she said. Kim accepted it, tears of gratitude in her eyes, knowing that the light Lily radiated would stay with her long after the balloon floated away.

Months passed, and one day, Kim had a particularly tough day at work. Pulling out the red balloon on her desk, she reflected on the joy Lily had brought into her life during such a challenging season. Inspired by Lily’s spirit, Kim began to make small changes in her attitude. She started looking for ways to encourage other patients, knowing how important it was to share light during darkness.

In the same way, may we all seek to be red balloons to those around us, sharing joy and hope and radiating the light of God in a world that desperately needs it.

I don’t know exactly what happened to Moses. And I don’t care. The message is unchanged. Whatever it was, people saw him differently. Like a newly expectant mother, something was different. They knew he had an authentic encounter with God, and his light clarified that.

Not everyone is Moses. You may not reach hundreds of thousands with the light of Christ. That’s okay; likely, neither will I

As we prepare to leave this sacred space, may you go forth into the world with the light of Christ shining brightly within you.

May you be empowered to radiate hope to those lost in darkness, encourage the weary, and bring joy to the sorrowful.

May you carry the spirit of love and kindness, becoming beacons of light wherever you go, transforming the lives of those you encounter.

May your hearts be open to the whispers of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you to act with compassion and grace.

And as you share the light of God in your daily lives, may you be reminded that you are never alone; His presence goes with you, now and forevermore.

May peace and joy be with you all in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Song: You, Lord, are both lamb and shepherd (356)

We respond to serve God.

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

Gracious God, we come before You with thankful hearts. Thank You for the gift of life and the blessings of family, friends, and community. We are grateful for the love and support we share with one another, which reflects Your caring nature.

Help us to appreciate the beauty in our lives, both the big moments and the small joys, and to recognize Your presence in every experience.

We also lift up those who are in need today—those who are struggling, lonely, or facing challenges. May they feel Your comfort and support through us and through others.

Guide us to be instruments of Your love, sharing kindness and compassion with everyone we encounter. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

We gather at this sacred table to remember and celebrate the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who invites us to share in this holy meal. The table is open to all who seek Him. Come, not because you must, but because you may; not because you are strong, but because you seek to be strengthened in His presence.

Song: I come with joy (530)

The Apostles’ Creed (539)

The Communion Prayer (Words of Institution)

Gracious God, we thank You for this sacred moment. We recall the last supper that Jesus had with His disciples, where He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and said, “This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In a similar way, after supper, He took the cup, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”

As we partake in this meal, O Lord, may we experience the presence of Christ among us and know the depth of Your love and grace.

Sharing of the Bread and Wine

The table is now set. We invite you to come forward and partake in the body of Christ, represented by this bread, and His blood, symbolized in this cup.

Song: One Bread, One Body (540)

Prayer After Communion

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this meal and the grace we have received. Strengthened by the body and blood of Christ, may we be empowered to live boldly in faith, reflecting Your love and light in the world.

Help us to carry this spirit of communion into our daily lives, embodying the unity we share as one body in Christ. May our hearts be open to Your leading, and our hands ready to serve those in need. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Song: Lord, the light of your light is shining (176)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As we prepare to leave this sacred space, may you go forth into the world with the light of Christ shining brightly within you.

May you be empowered to radiate hope to those who are lost in darkness, encourage the weary, and bring joy to the sorrowful.

May you carry the spirit of love and kindness, becoming beacons of light wherever you go, transforming the lives of those you encounter.

May your hearts be open to the whispers of the Holy Spirit, who will guide you to act with compassion and grace.

And as you share the light of God in your daily lives, may you be reminded that you are never alone; His presence goes with you, now and forevermore.

Response: The blessing

Music postlude

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The Communion liturgy is based on the liturgies of the PCC’s 1991 Book of Common Worship. Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

Worship on the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
10:00 am     February 23, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalists: Peter and Cheryl Sheridan
Welcoming Elder: Darlene Eerkes     Reader: Vivian Houg
Children’s time presenter: Brad

We gather to worship God.

Music Prelude

Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: And also, with you

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: In the light of this day, we have gathered;
P: We are a community that is one, bringing our questions and our joy
L: In the song and silence, we will listen –
P: What is it that God would have us hear this day?
L: In our praise and our prayers, we will remember
P: That God’s glory shines around us and within.
L: So let us worship God.

Opening praise: Here I am to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

Faithful God,

You have gathered your people faithfully throughout many generations.

You have offered your blessing to us through their examples and led the Church through many changes and challenges by your Spirit.

Draw near to us this day to guide us in these uncertain times.

Root our faithfulness in the compassion and courage we meet in Jesus.

Renew us through your steadfast love so we may dare to trust our future to you.

All praise and honour are yours,

O God: Source, Saviour and Spirit of Life.

You are with us, even in our failings. Hear us as we confess our sins so that we might be able to begin again with you.

Gracious God,

you test the mind and search the heart, so you know the thoughts and intentions we keep hidden.

Trusting in your wisdom and mercy,

we confess the ways we have failed to love one another, the times we looked the other way when someone needed help, and the ways our actions betrayed your goodness.

Forgive us for missing opportunities to share your love and for carrying grudges that keep us from offering the forgiveness we hope for.

Renew us with your mercy to become more merciful to others we meet;

we put our trust in the example of Christ our Lord. Amen.

Response: I will trust in the Lord

Assurance of God’s peace

Hear and believe the good news: anyone in Christ is a new creation.

The old life is gone, and a new life has begun.

Trust that you are forgiven by God’s generous love, and have the courage to forgive one another for Christ’s sake. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God.

Song: Open our eyes (445)

Children’s Time

The young man said, I’m here to help, ma’am. Why don’t you just wait inside the car where it’s warm? And by the way, my name is Brian.

The older woman breathed a sigh of relief, and there’s no way she could have changed her own tire. With her back out. It would be impossible. Brian had the spare tire on the Jack down in less than 10 minutes. And he was tightening the lug nuts when the woman rolled down her window and began to talk to him.

She told him she was from Saint Louis and was passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid, but Brian just smiled as he closed the trunk.

She asked him how much she owed and if any price would have been good for her. But Brian never thought twice about asking for money, even though he could use the help. Changing attire wasn’t a job to him; it was just a matter of helping someone in need.

Brian told the woman that if she really wanted to pay him back the next time she saw someone who needed help, she should give that person help instead. And when you do, Brian added, think of me. Brian waited until the woman had started her car and driven off carefully. It had been a cold, depressing day, but he felt pretty good about himself heading home.

A few miles down the road, the woman saw a small diner, though the place didn’t look like much. She went in to grab a bite To eat. And to shake off the cold. A kindly waitress brought her a clean towel to dry her wet hair. She had a kind smile and appeared pregnant. Then, the woman remembered Brian. After she had finished her meal, she gave the waitress a $100 bill while the waitress went to get the change. The woman slipped quietly out the door.

When the waitress returned to the table, she noticed something was written on a napkin. When she picked it up to read it, she found four more $100 bills Underneath and hidden away. Her eyes showed tears when she read what the woman had written down.

The message says you don’t owe me anything. I’ve been there too. Somebody friendly helped me out, and now I’m helping you. If you want to pay me back, here’s what you must do. Don’t let the chain of love end with you.

That night, when the waitress got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the woman had written. How could she have known? How much she and her husband needed that money. She knew her husband was distraught with the baby due in just a month. As he lay sleeping next to her, she leaned over to kiss him softly, and she whispered softly. Everything is going to be all right. I love you, Brian.

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given unto you.” The unselfish life is an abundant life. God blesses us whenever we’re willing to bless others. And like Brian in the story, Jesus says, “The next time you see someone in need, think of me.”

The Lord’s Prayer: (535)

Song: This is a story full of love(504: vss 1,2,5,6)

Scripture readings: Genesis 45:3-11,15 ; Luke 6:27-38

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: God provides

We know biblical books through chapters and verses. But those were not in the original text.

A group of rabbis called the Masoretes (or The Tradition Masters)  added these to help readers find scripture sections more easily. However, the original organization was done through the repetition of words, patterns of stories, and story cycles to indicate the flow and design of the original Genesis scroll. For example, there are four cycles of exile (from Adam to Noah to Abraham and now Joseph). In each story, ONE of the sons (a second or last born) is chosen to carry God’s blessing onto the world. In this case, Chapter 37:2, for example, says, “These are the generations of Jacob.” This phrase appears 10 times in the book of Genesis. Each use of this phrase indicates a new “chapter” to the original audience. Subchapters are marked as well. See, in this story, each dream is a new section.

At its core, however, Joseph’s story is about two things: 1. how God uses even our worst circumstances to build God’s plan for us (no matter what gets in the way), and 2. it’s about a person who was kidnapped, vulnerable, sold, abused, and exiled. In other words, it’s a story happening worldwide, even today. It’s the story of human trafficking.

Joseph is a 17-year-old boy, and he is traded to passersby and sold as an enslaved person and shipped halfway across the known world to be a prisoner for a people he can’t even understand because he doesn’t know their language. This is a horrific story with a surprise ending. And it is not the story of some guy 4000 years ago. It’s the story of today.

When Joseph first arrives in Egypt, he doesn’t know the culture, the language, the customs, the money, or anything else! He is enslaved, then a prisoner, and later a saviour. But first, he is an outcast and a foreigner forced to live in a land that is not his own. This is a story even people in this very room have seen firsthand. But it’s not the end all be all. It seems God has bigger plans for Joseph, and Joseph isn’t the only one God has bigger plans for. Joseph sees exile. But so have you.

Dreams were frequently seen as messages from the gods, conveying important information for personal guidance or communal benefit. This was a standard view then and, quite frankly, still is. Dreams are a bit of a mystery, and many believe God communicates with us that way. I want to tell you that our dreams are merely the stories our minds invent, but truth be told, the bible seems to disagree.

For many people, dreams serve as a bridge between the human and divine realms. I’m not one of them, but maybe I should be. Dreams often carried prophetic significance in biblical narratives and other ancient Near Eastern texts. They were seen as a way to reveal future events, requiring careful interpretation by those believed to have insight, such as priests or prophets.

Various ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Israelites, shared the belief in dreams’ spiritual importance. Not all dreams, mind you. I’m reasonably sure my dream about being hunted down by a giant tuna fish submarine sandwich is probably not a message from God. But maybe some dreams are. I know a person who had a dream about Jesus, although he had never heard of Jesus before. God can use absolutely anything to speak to us.

In Genesis, Joseph’s dreams play a central role in the narrative.

Joseph is a bit of a braggart.

About three weeks ago now, I went to Kansas for my grandmother’s funeral. My extended family commonly calls me “Favorite, Favorite,” as my sister did when we found my grandfather’s old wallet. He had pictures of most grandkids, but when my sister went through it, she quickly noticed a theme. He had quite a few photos of me. But while I do believe I was very loved, I don’t think I’m the favourite. I’m the second favourite. My cousin Nathan (despite his significant legal troubles, was 100% the favourite of my grandfather and grandmother). And to be precise – he needed that to be the case. I honestly suspect that favourites in the family are usually just that – the ones that need some extra attention.

In this case, we are told the exact reasons for Joseph’s favouritism. Joseph was his father’s “favourite” child because he was born at a time in Jacobs’s life when he was sure he was too old for more children. It wasn’t Joseph so much as it was the blessing of having another child.

But Joseph was a braggart. He dreams about ruling Earth and the sky. And then he tells his brothers this! And I don’t know if you ever had a big brother, but Joseph’s big brothers do precisely what big brothers always do. They put the little guy in his place. They put him in the ground and under the ground as well…  in a well.

Joseph is estranged from his brothers because he is his father’s favourite. This favouritism recalls Abraham’s favouritism toward Isaac and Isaac toward Esau and even Joseph’s father, Jacob. Honestly, one of the first things we learn about Joseph is his dreams of reigning over his brothers. The author carefully chooses his words in this section, employing phrases designed to call to mind Adam and Eve’s sin in Genesis 3, Cain’s murder of Abel in Genesis 4, and the wickedness of Noah’s generation in Genesis 6. Remember, this is the story of “The Generations of Jacob”. We are meant to see the basic theme of children sadly repeating the sins of their parents. We’ve heard this story before and it will end up the same way it always does.

In the story, Joseph has two very unusual dreams. In his first dream, Joseph sees himself and his brothers gathering bundles of grain called sheaves in the fields. Suddenly, Joseph’s sheaf stands tall, and his brothers’ sheaves gather around it and bow down to it. When Joseph tells his brothers about this dream, they get furious. They think, “Wait a minute! Are you saying we’ll have to bow down to you one day? It didn’t go over well. If you are a younger sibling, you can imagine this. To quote Prince Harry, younger siblings often feel like they are the “spare” child, especially if they are the second of the same gender.

This is my trigger warning for middle kids and more.

I apologize in advance. This is how I feel and how I’ve generally described myself regarding family systems. In my family, my brother Chad is the firstborn son. Then there is me. My sister Hannah is the first girl. My sister Amanda is the baby.

Now, I should say that I tested this line on Maddie and Wesley, my kids, last night, and the resounding answer was, “Dad, don’t say that in church.” So I will clean this up, though it’s just technical language. Chad is the first born and boy, Hannah is the first girl, and Amanda is a baby. Me… well I’m just the second kid with the same genitals as the first one. In other words, Hannah and I are both middle children, but she’s the first girl. I’m just… “Oh, another boy, congratulations” [whispers – “Oh, it would have been so nice to have one of each”.

Joseph has a second dream. And again, he isn’t smart enough to keep it to himself.

In his second dream, Joseph sees the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him. The sun represents his father, Jacob; the moon represents his mother; and the eleven stars represent his brothers. When Joseph shares this dream, they get upset again. And that’s for good reason. His brothers become jealous and angry because they think he’s saying he will rule over them. And he is. Like all the heroes of the bible, every example is first a broken and flawed person God will work through. That’s how EVERY story in the bible works save one – Jesus.

For ancient Hebrews at this time, these dreams were like hints from God about Josuah’s future. But just so we are clear here, Jesus is a Greek pronunciation of the Hebrew name Joshua. Jesus’ family would have pronounced his name “Yeshua” or “Joshua.” Jesus comes out in English simply because of how one language transliterates into another.

That’s the fun fact for the day. Jesus is actually Josh!

Anyway, these dreams suggested that God had something important in store for little Jo, but this news made his brothers jealous instead of making his family proud.

This is odd and out of place. Still, this part of the story reminds me of when Baby Boomers (do we have some baby boomers here today?)… when baby boomers talk badly about more recent generations, noting that they are soft and lazy and have a relatively easy life. All of that is true, by the way. But I say, “Yes, we have it easier. And wasn’t that the whole point? Wasn’t it?” Isn’t that what we all want for our children—for things to be far less brutal than they were for us?

Jacob and Joseph’s older brothers don’t see it that way.

Joseph’s coat is interesting because it’s imbued with symbolic significance. In ancient cultures, clothing signified protection from the elements and status. Joseph’s multicoloured robe—perhaps a crafted quilt of various patches the way ancient Iraq made them—was a costly gift and a sign of wealth. Likely, it’s a patchwork tunic made of multiple coloured squares. In other words, it’s almost like a Scottish kilt with colours and patterns to signify status and family. So, maybe it’s not exactly how we generally picture it.  Still, it is an elaborate gift for only one son. It turns out that playing favourites is how this whole mess starts.

At this point, the brothers are in too deep. There is no way out. (Have you EVER felt that way – it’s not true; there is no such thing; there is always a way out. And God is about to prove that).

Nevertheless, the brothers have made their choice and are sticking with it. And so they grab their little brother and throw him into a dry well. Next, they take Joseph’s fancy coat and smear it with animal blood to convince their father, Jacob, that he has been attacked and killed by some wild animals. Jacob, believing a wild animal has consumed his beloved son Joseph, is tragically deceived—an irony not lost on the reader. Jacob had done something similar to trick his father.

Here, the animals that consume Joseph are, in fact, his brothers, driven by jealousy and rivalry. Kidnapped, sold, and subjected to the harsh realities of the slave trade, Joseph’s story does not merely point a finger into history. It points a finger into today, asking how this can still happen.

As the story unfolds, Joseph’s brothers conspire against him, driven by jealousy and a desire to silence his dreams. They take pennies! This money exchange is nothing, especially for a wealthy family like Jacob’s. Remember, Jacob later changes his name to Isreal! The entire nation comes from Him. A country comes from this one guy!  But it isn’t just about the money. They are jealous. And they sell their brother to slave traders for the modern equivalent of only 15 Canadian dollars. 15 dollars!

They hate their little brother. And they sell him for almost nothing because of it.

Now, at this point, I think it’s important to note that no person could be permanently owned in Israel. You may have heard that the bible never condemns slavery. I don’t want to be rude, but… That’s an argument from people with no inclination to investigate history. But it’s popular opinion and is often foolishly shared by people lacking a bit of knowledge.

What is missing is that you could have hired servants in scripture, but freedom was always possible. The Hebrew bible does not condemn all slavery, but it does put conditions on servanthood that no other nation did. In ancient Israel, no person was enslaved the way we think of enslaved people today. They owed money and worked for set periods or even at most 7 years but could always be free again. Make no mistake! In the Bible, God moves slowly sometimes, but God is always moving. And by the time we get to the New Testament Paul writes an entire book about a returned enslaved person who is forever to be treated as a brother despite his position (but we will talk about that in a couple of months).

By selling Joseph to non-Hebrews, the author clarifies that Joseph will never be free again by all non-Hebrew laws! He is in the hands of magicians and pagans now and is as good as dead. He will never return from the death his brothers believe he has suffered or the slavery pagan nations forced on people, making them less-than-human for the entirety of their lives.

Please note: Joseph is not just an enslaved person. He is sold at least four times before he is purchased by a man called Potiphar in the Egyptian court. Eventually, he ends up in the home of Potiphar, a high official in Egypt. Strangely, even in his low position, his capabilities shine through. Oddly, Joseph is called “attractive” in this story—a title only three men receive in the Bible, but many women receive it in the Old Testament.

It matters to the story. He’s handsome and Potiphers wife likes him and attempts to seduce him. When that doesn’t work, she claims Joseph attached her. She is a socialite, and Joseph is a slave.  Potipher is forced to believe his crooked wife, and because of that, Joseph is sent to prison.

Joseph has been grabbed, thrown into a deep dry well (a wastewater cistern) by his brothers, sold to multiple parties and traded, doesn’t speak the native languages, doesn’t know the customs, and doesn’t have any money, food, clothes, family or friends. He is accused of a crime and thrown into prison. He is enslaved and trafficked to wherever his buyers want him.

But once again, we are told, “And the Lord was with Joseph.” This phrase repeats over and over again for good reason!

At this point, Joseph’s cellmates have their own confusing dreams and wonder if Joseph understands them. And he does.

Once again, Joseph uses his abilities while he is locked away. So Joseph tells one of the men to “remember me when you leave this prison, remember me.” But guess what? That other prisoner immediately forgets him as soon as he’s free. So, Joseph remains imprisoned for two more years before the story continues.

Eventually, the prisoner remembers Joseph when he absolutely must. He hears of a problem with Pharoah and Pharoah’s dreams. Joseph is the answer.

Finally, believing he can help Pharaoh, Joseph is given a chance to shine. He explains Pharaoh’s dream, telling him that a seven-year famine is coming. Because of this divine guidance, Egypt prepared and had food when the shortages hit. At this point, Joseph becomes a Hero of Egypt.

Joseph is granted not only freedom but authority. In his new role  he is appoint the Prime Minister of Egypt.

What happens next can be described as the “just desserts” of every action movie ever; it’s a tale of revenge. Joseph’s brothers are starving, and unbeknownst to them, they come to the brother they sold into slavery for help. The brothers who betrayed him now stand before him, desperate for food. Just as in his dream, they bow down to him and what God said becomes reality.

Forgiveness is a central theme that emerges profoundly throughout Joseph’s journey. Despite the grievous wrongs committed against him, Joseph demonstrates an extraordinary capacity for grace. Genesis 45:3-5 captures the essence of this moment when he reveals his identity to his brothers, saying, “I am Joseph!” In that instant, the emotional weight of betrayal meets the possibility of reconciliation. But where the reader wants Joseph to condemn his brothers he does not. He sees God at work instead.

Joseph’s forgiving ability is rooted in his broader understanding of divine orchestration. He acknowledges his brothers’ actions: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” Joseph refuses to be defined by his circumstances or the malice of others. Instead, he sees the hand of God weaving a narrative that transcends human failures, ultimately leading to a great deliverance.

How often are we caught in cycles of bitterness, allowing past hurts to dictate our present? Joseph’s journey teaches us that forgiveness is not about dismissing the pain inflicted upon us; instead, it is a powerful choice to break the cycle of vengeance and extend grace. His story compels us to examine our lives and consider the moments where we, too, have been called to forgive—challenging us to reflect on the liberation and healing that such acts of grace can bring to ourselves and others.

As his father, Jacob, lays eyes on Joseph for the first time after many years, tears spill forth, bringing forth the weight of sorrow and joy. All the evil and all the bad in Joseph’s life have led to this moment. And every awful experience results in this: Joseph is in the perfect place to save the people who rejected him.

Ultimately, Joseph’s story is not just one of personal triumph; it illustrates the overarching themes of exile and restoration that resonate throughout Scripture. His rise to power is a shadow of more extraordinary redemptive acts, including the ultimate act of love through the suffering servant—Jesus Christ. In Joseph’s narrative, we see a foreshadowing of a redeemer who emerges from suffering to bring salvation.

What exiles have you faced, and how can you respond with grace? Just as Joseph chose to forgive those who wronged him, we, too, are called to extend that grace to others. Forgiveness does not negate the pain of betrayal; instead, it transforms it, allowing us to participate in God’s redemptive work.

The journey of Joseph does not unfold in isolation; it intertwines with the broader narrative of humanity’s encounter with God—a story that culminates in hope and restoration. Just as the Lord was with Joseph in Potiphar’s house and prison, we can find solace in knowing we are never alone in our struggles. Life may pull us into the depths, but God’s faithfulness assures us that we can emerge strengthened and equipped for the future.

Joseph’s imprisonment, for instance, could have easily led to despair, yet it was there, in confinement, that character and resilience were forged.

We may have experienced some form of exile—moments where we felt lost, alienated, or estranged from those we love or God himself. Seeing beyond our pain and hardship in those moments can be challenging. Yet, just as Joseph’s journey took him from the depths of despair to a place of authority and reconciliation, we too can emerge transformed from our trials.

The shared human experience of suffering invites us to recognize the interconnectedness of our stories. As we navigate our journeys, we must remember that many around us are wrestling with their struggles. Our collective challenges can bind us closer together, promoting empathy and understanding.

Just like Joseph needed the presence of his brothers, we thrive in the strength of relationships built on trust, love, and forgiveness. Let’s lean into our communities, supporting those wrestling with their exiles. Be an ear for someone who needs to share their burdens, remind them of hope when they feel hopeless, and encourage reconciliation where divisions exist.

Remember that you are not alone, no matter where you find yourself today. Just as the Lord was with Joseph in his darkest moments, He walks alongside you every step of the way. Embrace the journey, trust in His promises, and may you experience the transformative power of God’s grace in your life, enabling you to be a beacon of hope and reconciliation in a world that so desperately needs it. Whatever other people, the world, “fate,” situations, conditions, unhappiness, seemingly inherited, surroundings, circumstances, events or whatever else you feel wants to through you in a pit, wants to away, hate your successes, reject you are, where you are from, cast you out, sells you off, exiles you, mistreat you, abuses you, makes you “other,” whatever it is, I have news for you. You have no idea how far down the pit you can go and survive if you accept that God is still in control! You have no idea what heights God rewards the faithful for, remembering that everything and everyone else might bring about evil can still be used for good.

God is still and constantly working out good for you! If this is not your day to say “I’m Joseph,” “I still love you,” and it’s one of those, stripped of your dignity and down in a pit, sold into confusion times… Hope is here. What others have intended, even for evil, God can work out for your good. Amen.

Song: Let us sing to the Lord (412)

We respond to serve God.

Our time of giving

Prayer for ourselves and others

God of generous love, we bring our gifts with grateful hearts, for we have received so much through your kindness.

Bless our gifts, and use them to touch lives in situations we cannot even imagine with your love. Make us a blessing in our community for the sake of Christ, our friend and Saviour. Amen.

God of all life and each life, you created us and set us in relationship with each other

in families and neighbourhoods,

in communities and countries,

in cultures and nations.

Today we give you thanks for all the gifts of home life and community celebration

that bring meaning and encouragement to our lives.

Thank you for the blessings we know through the contributions of those who have gone before us.

Help us offer what we can to sustain the wellbeing of our community and country, so that all who make it their home will find security and dignity.

God of the whole human family,

Hear our prayers for your world.

God of our faith and our future, there are so many pressures we face today, so many problems without simple solutions.

Draw near to anyone who is struggling in economic difficulty, and all those burdened by challenges to their health and happiness.

Ease any conflict in homes and workplaces and inspire solutions that express mutual respect and deeper understanding.

Help us share with others the hope we find in your presence.

God of the whole human family,

Hear our prayers for your world.

God of mercy and forgiveness;

You call us to live together in peace and unity.

We pray for our neighbourhoods and the nations of this world.

Where people are divided and bitterness turns into resentment, show us how to work for reconciliation.

Where violence and fear turn neighbour against neighbour, or nation against nation, equip leaders to work for justice that will bring peace.

Help us build a world where children enjoy a future filled with good health and happiness.

God of the whole human family,

Hear our prayers for your world.

God, our hope and our help,

send your Spirit to equip our congregation with skill and resilience  to weather whatever challenges and opportunities lie before us.

Strengthen friendships, new and old, and make us a source of encouragement and connection to each other.

Help each one find a place and a purpose in our mission and ministry. Amen.

Song: When the Poor Ones (762)

Sending out with God’s blessing

May God grant to the living, grace;
to the departed, rest;
to the Nation, peace and concord;
to the peoples, freedom
for all God’s servants the promise of everlasting life,
light to guide you on our way,
courage to support you,
and may Your blessing to unite us all
in service to our God and neighbour. Amen.

Response: The blessing

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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 License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

Worship on Heritage Sunday
10:00 am       15 February 2025
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Raymond Baker     Elder: Lynn Vaughan     Reader: Nesta Sawdon
Music director: Binu Kapadia     Vocalists: Sam & Ann May 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: Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
P: Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

Opening praise: Forever God is faithful

Prayers of approach and confession

O most merciful God, we humbly acknowledge our transgressions. In thought, word, and deed, we have strayed from the path of righteousness, both in the actions we have committed and in the good we have neglected to perform. Our love for you has fallen short of the fervent devotion you deserve, and our compassion for our neighbours has been imperfect and incomplete. With contrite hearts and repentance, we turn to you, seeking your forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Response: I will trust in the Lord

Assurance of God’s love

O Lord you are the source of boundless compassion, whose grace flows like an inexhaustible spring, we stand in awe of your enduring love. As the heavens tower above the earth, so too does your merciful kindness transcend our comprehension. As the east is distant from the west, so completely do you absolve us of our transgressions when we repent and accept Christ’s sacrifice for us. This magnificent act of redemption is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross, a testament to your unwavering love for humanity. Therefore, with hearts overflowing with gratitude, we offer our thanks for your steadfast love and forgiveness. May this same spirit of forgiveness reside within us, that we may extend it to one another with unwavering generosity.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story

Hi Kids,

• Do you know where we are?

We are in Dayspring Presbyterian Church.

• What do you do in church?

We learn about Jesus. We pray and sing to God.

• What is your favorite song about God?

Mine is “Jesus Loves Me.”

• Do you pray to God?

What kind of things do you Pray for?

Hey Kids! Guess what? The grown-ups are going to hear a story today, all about this Church! It is like a history story.

• Do you Know what History is?

History is like telling a story about why this church was built. It’s about all the special things that happened a long time ago. Today is Heritage Sunday. Do you know how old this church is?

It is 51 years old and Presbyterian Churches Canada is 150 years old . Wow!

For you kids at Sunday school today Lynn has a super cool story about Jesus. It’s found in the Bible, in the book of Luke. In this story Jesus tells his friends that God loves and helps people when they are having a hard time. Sometimes, when we are sad or scared, or things are just though, we talk or pray to God and ask for help. Jesus wants us to know that God always hears us and loves us all very much. So, get ready for a wonderful Sunday school today!

Prayer: Lord God, please bless these kids as they go learn about the sermon on the plain. Bless Lynn and the other teachers as they teach the kids about praying when times are tough. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: I am the church! You are the church (475: vss 1-4)

Today’s Message

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25 & 11:4-11; Ephesians 2:19-22 & 1:22-23

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Why we go to church here at Dayspring

Throughout our travels in England, my wife Jacquie and I have been blessed to experience the beauty and majesty of its historic churches. Most recently, we attended a service at Westminster Abbey, a truly magnificent occasion, enhanced by the soaring voices of a choir singing in Latin. We were also privileged to visit St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, a place of profound historical significance and the final resting place of many of England’s royalty. During our tour, I inadvertently stepped upon the tomb of Henry VIII–the king that had six wives and had two put to death. I stood there for a moment thinking of those ladies.

Our journey even took us to a small church in the heart of England, near my ancestral home, a building dating back to the 15th century. The sheer weight of history in these sacred spaces was profound. All of this has led me to a question…

What is this building (Dayspring Presbyterian) we are in and why are we here? Why go to Church or watch this service online?

Let’s look at some history here:

The Enduring Story of Presbyterianism: From Geneva to Dayspring Church

Presbyterianism, a prominent Protestant denomination, that traces its roots to the 16th-century Reformation, specifically the teachings of John Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland. Calvin’s theological contributions, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and the authority of Scripture, formed the bedrock of Reformed theology, which is central to Presbyterianism. John Knox, a Scottish reformer, played a pivotal role in disseminating Calvinistic ideas in Scotland, leading to the establishment of the Church of Scotland, a cornerstone of the Presbyterian tradition.

At the heart of Presbyterian belief lies the profound conviction of God’s absolute sovereignty in all aspects of life. The Bible is revered as the ultimate authority of faith and practice and the divinely inspired guide for life. Salvation is understood as a gracious gift, freely given and received through faith in Jesus Christ—a doctrine beautifully expressed as justification by grace. While the concept of predestination invites diverse interpretations, it is generally understood as God’s foreknowledge and preordained plan for those who will be saved.

The name “Presbyterian” derives from the Greek word “presbuteros,” meaning “elder,” reflecting the church’s distinctive system of governance. Presbyterian polity emphasizes representative leadership through assemblies of elders, both lay and clergy. Elders, elected from the congregation, share in the spiritual oversight of the church. Local churches are organized into regional bodies called presbyteries, which offer guidance and support. The highest governing body is the General Assembly, which convenes annually and makes decisions for the denomination as a whole. Presbyterianism has a global presence, with churches established in numerous countries, and a strong commitment to social justice, evident in its historical involvement in movements for civil rights, peace, and equality.

While the Scottish influence ultimately predominated, the earliest Presbyterians in Canada were actually French Huguenots, Protestant refugees who arrived in the 17th century. However, the substantial growth of Presbyterianism in Canada began with Scottish immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. Scottish settlers, particularly in the Maritimes and later across the country, brought their Presbyterian faith with them.

The late 18th century saw the formation of the first Presbyterian congregations in Canada. Notable examples include St. Andrew’s Church in Quebec City (founded in 1759) and First Presbyterian Church in Pictou, Nova Scotia (founded in 1786).

A significant milestone was achieved in 1875 with the unification of various Presbyterian groups to form The Presbyterian Church of Canada. This marked the formal beginning of the PCC.

The Presbyterian Church in Alberta also traces its origins to 1875, thanks in large part to the efforts of Reverend David George McQueen, who served as minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Edmonton for 43 years. McQueen was instrumental in establishing the Presbyterian presence in Alberta and was elected Moderator of the General Assembly in 1912.

The arrival of the railroad in Edmonton in 1881 sparked growth on the south side of the river, leading to the development of Strathcona. The subsequent amalgamation of Edmonton and Strathcona in 1912, along with the construction of the High Level Bridge capable of supporting rail and streetcar traffic, spurred a building boom. This growth necessitated the construction of a new Presbyterian church, Rupert Street Church, built in 1913.

Rupert Street Church served the community until the mid-20th century. In 1969, the congregation of Rupert Street Church merged with the Presbyterian Mission in Southwest Edmonton, forming Dayspring Presbyterian Church. Dayspring, which had begun as a mission of the Presbytery of Edmonton in 1966, became a congregation in June 1969. Shortly thereafter, at the end of June in 1969, Rupert Street merged with Dayspring.

Dayspring met in various locations before establishing a permanent home. Construction of the current building commenced in 1972 and was completed in 1974, with the first service held in December 1973. Continued growth necessitated expansions in 1992 and again in 2001-2003, resulting in the beautiful and spacious facilities that Dayspring enjoys today. The story of Dayspring Presbyterian Church embodies the enduring legacy of Presbyterianism in Canada, a story of faith, community, and adaptation to changing times.

Let me read from the Bible, Hebrews 10:23-25 “ Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

The author’s exhortation resonates clearly: “Hold fast” to the unwavering faith we have in Jesus Christ. Let no doubt, no fear, erode the bedrock of your belief. This is not a passive clinging, but an active embrace, a vibrant commitment to the promises of God. Furthermore, we are called to “stir up one another”—to ignite within each other a passion for love and good works, inspiring and motivating your fellow believers to live out their faith with tangible acts of compassion. A major context of this passage is that Dayspring must not neglect the coming together because it will sustain you. Gathering together as a community is not merely a tradition, but a vital source of strength, a place where you can support, sharpen and encourage one another on your individual faith journeys.

I believe that, here at Dayspring, you echo this call. You hold fast to Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross is the very foundation of our hope. Your faith rests in the knowledge that Jesus gave Himself for you. Dayspring is more than just those present in this sanctuary; it encompasses all those who join you, whether in person or on Zoom. As brothers and sisters in Christ, you must never cease to uplift one another. Let Dayspring be a community of prayer, interceding for those in need, strengthening the bonds that tie Dayspring together in the love of Christ.

Also in the Bible, Ephesians 2:19-22 states:  Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

At Dayspring, one finds a beautiful tapestry woven from individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. For here, in this place, the unifying thread is faith: in the shared acceptance of Christ as Savior, you become brothers and sisters, bound together in the family of God. While this building rests upon a foundation of concrete and steel, its true cornerstone, the bedrock of your community, is and always will be Jesus Christ.

From the Bible Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith,” and with good reason. Within its verses, we find not only a compelling definition of faith itself, but also a rich tapestry of examples woven from the lives of those who embodied it most profoundly. From Abraham’s unwavering obedience to Noah’s steadfast belief and Moses’ courageous leadership, this chapter showcases a gallery of faith’s heroes, inspiring us with their unwavering trust in God.

Like Hebrews 11 the Presbyterian movement in Canada has been graced by the presence of many notable figures. From the realm of academia, G.M. Grant who led Queen’s University as its principal from 1877 to 1902. Politics saw Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s tenth prime minister, and Oliver Mowat, Premier of Ontario and a Father of Confederation, both shaped by their Presbyterian faith. The arts were enriched by the novelist Ralph Connor, while journalism benefited from the contributions of George Brown, publisher of The Globe. Even the Senate saw the influence of Presbyterianism through Cairine Wilson, Canada’s first female senator. These individuals, among many others, stand as testaments to the impact of the Presbyterian tradition on Canadian society.

Dayspring, and the broader Presbyterian movement of which it is a part, has been a cradle of unwavering faith and a source of profound contributions. From theological contributions to service to Canada and beyond, countless individuals have stood firm in their convictions, leaving an enduring impact on the world. Within these very walls, the legacy of faithful ministry unfolds in the names of ministers past, memorialized just outside this sanctuary on the framed pictures by Great Room entrance.. On the back wall of this sanctuary, you honor those who served their country in times of conflict. The banners that adorn this space, lovingly stitched by the women of this congregation, are a testament to their dedication. This building itself, a testament to the generosity and sacrifice of generations, stands as a symbol of faith—a structure built with love, and expanded not once, but twice, to meet the needs of a growing community. Every corner of this place speaks to the devotion of those here today and those who came before you, whose sacrifices have made our gathering here today possible.

Ephesians 1:22-23 states: And God placed all things under his feet and appointed Christ to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 1:22-23 beautifully articulates the profound relationship between Christ and the church, highlighting Christ’s supreme authority and the church’s vital role as his body in the world. Dayspring, please strive to keep Christ at the very center of all you do. Recognize that Dayspring is an integral part of the universal Body of Christ, a fellowship of believers across the globe united by their acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice. As members of this extraordinary body, Dayspring plays an integral part in revealing Christ’s presence and purpose to the world. This understanding of your place within God’s plan should remind you of your identity in Christ, and strengthen your bonds with one another, and clarify your purpose in the world. It should inspire you to live lives that reflect Christ’s authority and extend the fullness of his love and grace to those around you.

The rich tapestry of the Presbyterian movement’s history and its enduring legacy has been a source of immense joy for me to explore for this sermon. This is a legacy Dayspring shares should make you deeply proud. Happy Heritage Sunday! May you all cherish this connection and continue to let Dayspring shine brightly as a beacon of Christ’s love to a world in such desperate need. This, I believe, is the most compelling reason to be part of this community, whether gathering in person or joining online. For Christ is your foundation, and the very heart of Dayspring’s existence. May God continue to bless Dayspring abundantly, as I believe He already has! Amen!

Additional Dayspring History (Iris)

Thank you, Raymond, for that message.

You may remember a month or so ago we had 2 of our young people, Cole and Caliana Sheridan, standing here at the front of the church as they professed their faith in God and in his son, Jesus Christ.  Not only was this a big deal for God and their relationship with Him, but it was a big deal for Dayspring Presbyterian Church as well.

As the current roll clerk for Daypring , I entered their names in this book, entitled “Historic Roll” as members numbered 801 and 802. That means there have been 800 people before them that also became members of Dayspring since it came into being in 1969 when Dayspring and Rupert Street Church came together.

If you look around the church, you may see small reminders of the history that has happened before us that we will be showcasing throughout this year as we celebrate 150 years of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and Dayspring’s place in it today

I’ll bring 4 items to your attention.

The first is located on the wall behind me. I have recently learned that this is called a chancel cross.  There is a small memorial plaque by the side doors of the sanctuary, indicating the cross was dedicated in memory of Jack and Myrleen Fraser in September 1996. They were original members of Dayspring church in 1969 and they were the parents of Darleen Springstien, who passed away in 2022.

The second item that I want to mention is the communion set that we use for most of our communion services. If you’ve ever looked at it closely, you’ll see that it was dedicated on October 6th 1996 in memory of Robert Tod, who was a member and elder of Rupert Street Presbyterian Church as well as the father of Jack Tod.

In 1997 a small group of Dayspringers were tasked with making banners to decorate the beautiful tall walls of the sanctuary and to reflect the seasons of the church year. You’ll see them on the West wall of the sanctuary and they were designed and made by Eddie-Lee Smith, Andrew Burnett, Marlene Burnett, Pat Baird and Darleen Springstein.

The last item I wanted to draw to your attention is the lovely painting gracing the wall above the piano. This was painted by Dayspringer Kristen St. Cyr for the church in 2018. As mentioned, we will be celebrating our history throughout the year. If you know of something that we might share with the congregation, please let me, Andrea Gartrell or Renita McCallum know and we will add it to our list. Thank you so much.

Song: Lord of life and Lord of the nations (734)

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!

Offertory Prayer

O Lord, source of all creation, from the abundance you have bestowed upon us, we offer these gifts freely, that your church may flourish here and extend its reach to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Prayers for Heritage Sunday and gratitude for those who came before us

O Lord God, we give thanks for the rich legacy of the Presbyterian movement. We are grateful for the faithful individuals who, through their sacrifice of time, resources, and devotion, nurtured the spirit of Dayspring. We ask your blessings upon all gathered here in this sanctuary, and upon those joining us virtually. Amen.

Song: We are marching / Siyahamba (639:(sung 3 times: English/Xhosa/English)

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Lord is Dayspring’s shepherd; you shall not be in want.
He makes you to lie down in green pastures;
He leads you beside still waters–giving you peace.
He restores your souls.
He leads Dayspring in paths of righteousness for Jesus’ name’s sake. For He is your foundation.
He anoints your heads with oil and your cup runs over with blessings.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your lives and if you accept Christ’s sacrifice you will dwell in the house of the LORD forever here on earth and in heaven.  In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Response: The Blessing

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

Raymond Bakers retains the copyright (© 2024) on all original material in this service. As far as he is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
10:00 am     February 09, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia     Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan
Welcoming Elder: Gina Kottke     Children’s time presenter: Brad

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: A voice beckons in the morning, saying,
P: “You are my Beloved.”
L: It is the voice of One we see dimly, we hear faintly.
P: We reach out for that voice, for the One who has claimed us in love.
L: In this time together, may we hear the voice of God who shepherds us with love and grace.
P: And let us worship God.

Opening praise: This is amazing grace

Prayers of approach and confession

God ever creating, ever loving, ever leading:

your presence is peace when we are frantic;

your Word is truth when we face deception;

our Spirit offers freedom when we are paralyzed by fear.

You give purpose in confusing times;

You call for justice when the world settles for inequality.

For all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be,

we worship you as the source of life,  the promise of redemption, and the spirit of love in action, One God, now and always.

Hear us now as we confess to you our sins:

Merciful God, you call us to fullness of life, but we confess our shortcomings.

We have wandered from your ways and wasted your gifts;

we have ignored your grace at work among us, and focused on loss and complaint.

We have been suspicious of the motives of others, too quick to judge and too slow to forgive.

Give us the courage to see clearly who and what we are.

With your forgiveness, cleanse us from all our faults and failings, and inspire us to walk a new way.  Amen.

Response: I will trust in the Lord

Assurance of God’s pardon
God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s love;
as far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our sins from us.
Rejoice that God has forgiven you and opens a new future this day.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Open our eyes, Lord ( 445)

Children’s time

5 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: Joyful, joyful we adore you (410)

Scripture (Nahyeni Bassah): 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Response: Behold the lamb of God

Message: “Grace”

The resurrection is not merely a historical event but a living truth that propels us forward, enriching our lives and guiding our actions. It stands as the bedrock of our faith, the pivotal truth upon which our hopes and beliefs rest.

Josh McDowell wrote, “As we reflect on these truths, we will explore three vivid illustrations: the unshakable foundation of a skyscraper, the compelling testimony of witnesses, and the miraculous transformation of a metamorphosed butterfly. Through these images, we will delve into how the resurrection serves as a foundation, a validation, and a catalyst for transformation in our lives.”

Imagine the skyline of a bustling city, where modern skyscrapers stand proudly, their heights reaching toward the heavens. These architectural marvels dazzle us with their curves and angles, their glass facades reflecting the sunlight in a myriad of colors. Yet, as breathtaking as their exteriors may be, the true marvel lies hidden beneath the surface—a solid foundation, deep and unyielding, anchoring each structure to the bedrock below. Without this foundation, no matter how beautifully constructed, the building would collapse under its own weight.

Much like these skyscrapers, our faith finds its strength and stability in the core truth of the resurrection. Paul begins this passage by reminding the Corinthians of the Gospel he preached: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” These foundational truths are not merely historical accounts; they are the bedrock of our beliefs—the anchor that steadies us in times of trial and doubt.

The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, the essential element that ensures our beliefs stand firm. Without this core truth, everything else crumbles. Paul emphasizes that Christ’s death and resurrection are not only central to the Gospel but are what gives life to our faith. Without belief in the resurrection, without this foundation, our faith is hollow—a house built on sand, vulnerable to the slightest tremor of doubt.

Just two verses later or as I might put it – in the exact same sentence Paul says… “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.”

Have you ever noticed how much people love a good suspense movie? You know, the ones where there’s a big reveal at the end?

Well, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, is basically saying: ‘If there’s no resurrection, then the biggest suspense movie of all time ends in a total flop!’

He says,” If there is no resurrection of Christ than there is no resurrection for us.”

So let’s be thankful that the tomb is empty—because who wants to settle for a series finale that leaves us all scratching our heads and saying, ‘Well, that was disappointing!’?”

Just as architects invest countless hours ensuring a building’s foundation is solid and secure, so we need to devote ourselves to rooting our lives in the fundamental truth of the resurrection. This is not a passive endeavor but an active pursuit, requiring immersion in Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Let the truth of the resurrection seep into every aspect of your life, and consider how this foundation influences your decisions, your values, your understanding of the afterlife and of where your loved ones now reside as well as considering your own simple daily actions.

When challenges and doubts arise—when the storms of life attempt to shake us—return to this cornerstone, assured that your faith is securely anchored.

Over the last few years I have been rather blessed to have a friend. He did a sermon here once for me. John owns a Highrise condo over looking Mount Rainer, Washington. I’ve stayed there a few times and there is something really calming about looking out over the city and seeing the mountains in the distance. But what makes it calming is the knowledge that where I stand is secure.

For the Christian, the resurrection is that secure foundation.

This foundation calls us to align our lives with the teachings and mission of Christ. Are we building our lives on this truth? Do our daily actions, thoughts, and words reflect the hope and power of the resurrection? As we walk in faith, let us remain mindful of our foundation—strong and sure.

Shift your gaze from the skyline to a packed courtroom, where the air buzzes with anticipation. Witness after witness steps forward, their consistent testimonies weaving together into a tapestry of truth. Each voice adds weight and credibility to the case at hand. In the courtroom of faith, the resurrection is validated by the transformative testimony of a multitude. Paul names them. And he names people that his audience knows. He says Jesus came back from the dead and Peter (you know him) saw Jesus. He says, you know John, John saw him. Is John a lier? Matthew saw him, ask him! All Jesus’ closest friends saw him. His bother James saw him, ask him. In fact 500 some different people saw him. Go interview them. Go ask! There are people all over the country that saw him back from the dead.

And then finally Paul says, Oh and I saw him too. And this is kind of odd but here Paul calls himself an abortion. He says, Even I saw him, though I was born at the wrong time. By this Paul means only that he wasn’t one of the original 12 disciples.

These encounters with the risen Christ are not mere anecdotes; they are life-altering moments that resonate with authenticity and conviction. And remember, you could be arrested or even killed for claiming to have seen Jesus’ resurrected body.

The significance of these witnesses cannot be overstated. In a time when the testimony of multiple witnesses was necessary to establish truth, the vast number and diversity of people who encountered the risen Jesus provide compelling evidence of the resurrection’s historical reality. People are not generally in the business of making claims that get you killed if you have nothing to gain from lying.

Their lives were not just touched; they were radically transformed by these encounters. The Gospel they proclaimed was based on their very real experiences of the risen Lord.

Our faith today is strengthened by these testimonies, and we are invited to join this chorus of witnesses.

Reflect on the moments in your life when you have encountered God’s presence—those times of grace, peace, or powerful love that have shaped your journey. Write these experiences down, cherish them, and when the time comes, share them with others. Engage with the stories of fellow believers, recognizing that this sacred exchange enriches our faith and deepens our connection within the community.

Picture yourself in that courtroom, not as a passive observer but as an active participant. Your voice, your story, adds depth and dimension to the collective testimony of the living Christ.

In a world searching for truth, your testimony becomes a beacon of light, bringing warmth and assurance to those who hear it. Together, we build a community grounded in shared faith, each story a vibrant thread woven into a beautiful tapestry of belief.

Our stories of faith become the bridge that connects past to present, drawing us into a deeper understanding of God’s work in our lives and the world. As we share our stories, let us listen with open hearts and ready minds, eager to learn from the experiences of others and be inspired by their journeys. We are part of a great cloud of witnesses, united in our commitment to live out the truth of the resurrection each day.

Finally, let us marvel at the wondrous transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Picture the caterpillar, earthbound and unassuming, as it enters a chrysalis, concealed from view. Inside its cocoon, a miraculous change is taking place. When it emerges, it is not merely a changed version of its former self; it is a new creation, adorned with vibrant wings that carry it skyward, a testament to the transformative power of nature.

Paul’s life serves as a vivid example of this transformation. Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, Paul encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. In that moment, God’s grace reshaped his heart and future, turning him from an adversary of the Gospel into one of its most passionate advocates. His transformation, achieved by God’s grace alone, not only altered his journey but ignited a mission that changed the early church and continues to impact us today.

God’s grace continues its transformative work within each of us, shaping and renewing our lives. Are we open to this miraculous change? Reflect on the areas of your life that yearn for the touch of grace—wounded relationships, burdensome past mistakes, priorities in need of realignment. Acknowledge and surrender these to God, allowing the resurrection to infuse them with healing and hope. Embrace the invitation to emerge renewed, and as you do, become an instrument of grace in the lives of others, offering them a glimpse of God’s transformative power.

Picture yourself as the butterfly, delicate yet resilient, basking in the sunlight of God’s grace. As you take flight, let your life be a testament to the beauty and possibility of transformation, inviting others to embark upon their journey of change. The resurrection empowers us not merely to be recipients of grace, but channels of it, extending hope and renewal to those we encounter.

In the transformation lies the promise of new beginnings and endless possibilities. Just as Paul’s life was radically altered, so too can our lives be reshaped by the power of the resurrection. Let us open our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit, welcoming the change that He brings with humility and joy. As we embrace this transformation, let us encourage and support one another on our faith journeys, celebrating each step of growth and discovery.

As we stand on the firm foundation of Christ’s resurrection, buoyed by the testimony of countless witnesses and transformed by God’s grace, let our lives be a beacon of light in a world that so desperately needs hope and healing. Today, we are not mere observers of an ancient story, but active participants in the living reality of the resurrection, called to reflect its truth and power in our everyday actions, decisions, and relationships.

May we leave here today emboldened by the power of Christ’s resurrection, ready to share the Gospel with a world searching for purpose and joy. Let our words and deeds reflect this light, illuminating hope and drawing others to the love of God. In this way, may we each become a living embodiment of the resurrected Christ, breathing life into the world around us, one grace-filled moment at a time. Amen.

Song: Follow me the Master said (645: (vss 1, 2, 4)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Offertory Prayer

God of surprising generosity, Jesus encouraged his disciples to keep fishing when they thought their nets were empty. Encourage us to keep giving even when needs seem overwhelming and resources scarce. We entrust our gifts to you with the faith you can surprise us and others through all they can accomplish in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prayers for our world

God, our creator and our redeemer, you have given us a universe that is full of wonders that we cannot begin to understand.

Thank you for all of the blessings of your creation.

Ruler of the nations, we thank you for the country in which we live, a country where we can live in freedom, a country where we can worship you when and as we choose.

Head of the church, we thank you for our denomination and for this congregation.

We thank you for all of the people who give so much of themselves in support of your ministry in this place and around the world.

God, our parent and our friend, we thank you for the families into which we were born, or adopted, or married, or accepted, and for the circles of friendship that surround us as we move through life.

God, our healer and our comforter, we ask that you would be with all those who are sick, all those who are suffering, all those who are grieving, all those who are lonely.

We ask your blessing also on those whom we now name in our hearts ….

Keep a time of silence.

God, who calls us to follow, we ask that you continue to inspire us on our journey of faith. May this congregation be a source of hope and light in this community.

May you give us strength to carry on as your faithful ones, sometimes lost and sometimes found, always in your care and keeping.

We pray for your church in all places around this world, that it might be healed and renewed.

God of peace, we ask that you would use the leaders of our nation to help bring peace to all nations.

Grant that we might help to bring justice to all your people in this your earth.

We pray especially this morning for the people of ….

God of creation, we need your help to look after the world that you have made.

Grant that we might be faithful stewards of your universe, so that those who come here after us will also enjoy its beauty.

Grant that we might learn to control our use of the world’s resources, so that our impact on this planet might be lessened and your glaciers and icefields might not be destroyed by us.

Loving God, your son promised that our prayers would be heard by you.

Remind us of your will for us, and encourage us to live in your light. Amen

Song: I, the Lord of sea and sky (592)

Sending out with God’s blessing

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)

Response: The blessing

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

Worship on the Lord’s Day: February 2, 2025    10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Raymond Baker
Communion presented, via videotape, by the Rev Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia           Vocalist: Vivian Houg
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 the 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: Love the Lord, your God

Prayers of approach and confession

Lord God, you are an amazing and loving God, we come to you humbly and in awe. You are greater than we can imagine, and your creation fills us with wonder.

God, receive our praise and prayers today. Prepare us to hear your Word and receive its wisdom and guidance. Show us what we need to do and the gifts you’ve given us. Holy Spirit, move within us, awaken our gifts, and inspire us to act.

We come to you through Christ. We accept His sacrifice for our sins. Confident in your forgiveness, we desire to start fresh with you as Lord of every part of our lives.

Thank you, Lord, for your love that fills our lives. Help us to share that love with others. Forgive us when we fail to show love. Forgive us when we give in to temptation, and help us to turn to you instead. Renew us and make us new.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O God

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s love; as far as the East is from the West, so far has God removed our sins. This is all done through us accepting Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Thanks be to God, whose love and forgiveness are steadfast. May we be steadfast in our forgiveness of one another.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Saviour, teach me day by day (698)

Scripture readings (NRSV): Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 4:21-20; and  I Corinthians 13:1-13

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Godly Love

Years ago, as I prepared to officiate the wedding of my niece and her fiancé, the fiancé made a particular request. Having attended numerous weddings, he asked if I  could omit the familiar passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. This presented an interesting challenge. While crafting my message, I sought to truly capture the essence of love, and in doing so, I came to a renewed appreciation for those very verses. I ultimately felt compelled to ask their permission to include them, for I realized that they weren’t simply a common reading; they beautifully encapsulate the very heart of godly love.

Some time ago, I unfortunately succumbed to watching one episode of “The Bachelor.” I was rather dismayed to witness several contestants, after mere two encounters with the supposed object of their affections, profess to have fallen in love. This fleeting and superficial notion of love, so prevalent in our society, made me ponder. It underscored the critical need for us, as Christians, to cultivate a truly godly understanding of love. And so, today’s sermon will explore this Godly love in: our relationship with one another, our love for the Church, our love for God, and, of course, God’s boundless love for each of us.

In the tapestry of human existence, amidst the myriad emotions and experiences that shape our lives, there lies a thread that binds all Christians – love. Not the fleeting infatuation often portrayed in today’s society, but a love that is profound, enduring, and transformative.

The Bible, employs a variety of Greek words to express the concept of love. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the passage we explore today, the word used is agape. This agape love, as revealed in the Bible, is not merely a passive sentiment, but a selfless, unconditional, and active force. It is a conscious choice, a deliberate act of will to benefit others, rather than a feeling that simply arises within us. Indeed, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, offering himself for our sins, stands as the ultimate and most profound expression of agape love.

Corinthians 13 is between two Chapters about spiritual gifts. It’s as if we’re privy to a letter Paul addressed to a church in turmoil, a community grappling with the question of which spiritual gift reigns supreme. In this chapter, Paul, with the urgency of a bold, all-caps email, delivers a resounding message: without love, these gifts, however impressive, are ultimately devoid of meaning.

Without love, the most eloquent speech (tongues of men and angels), deep spiritual knowledge (prophecy), and profound faith are meaningless.

I spent years and tens of thousands of dollars on my seminary education. If I preached to you out of anger and not love. This sermon would be useless.

I truly believe that God is all powerful but if I treated my neighbours with distane and not love. I believe I would not be acting like a believer.

Agape Love is Godly love for others.

Just a few weeks ago, I attended a funeral service led by a minister named Terry, whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing for years. I’m consistently struck by his genuine love and sincere care for others. He possesses a remarkable ability to be fully present with each person he encounters, offering them his undivided attention and heartfelt loving compassion. This particular funeral was especially poignant, as it was for a young man who tragically succumbed to an overdose. The grief in the room was palpable, a heavy blanket of sorrow. Yet, as Terry moved among the mourners, greeting each one with his characteristic warmth and love, a subtle shift began to occur. His presence, a beacon of Godly love, seemed to lighten the oppressive atmosphere, offering a glimmer of comfort amidst the devastation. This is a powerful testament to how our godly love for others can ripple outwards, impacting not only individuals but entire communities.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 contains attributes of love. These are the verses that I used for our niece’s wedding.  Let me read them out and as I read them imagine a person that shows these attributes:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it 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.

This is the kind of person we are all drawn to, the kind of person who reflects the very image of God.

A person who is patient with you. A person who is kind in all their dealings. This person also would not be competitive or boastful and is not prideful. This person would not speak ill of others but thinks well of others. This person rejoices in seeking God’s will in all he does. This person is level headed and not easily angered. This person has grace and does not hold grudges.

I was watching YouTube videos on success in life. This was from a secular point of view. Jamie Dimon the CEO of J. P. Morgan Chase, the largest bank in the United States and Ray Dalio, CEO of Bridgewater and Associates, both said the problem with most people that they meet is they do not have principles.

If we had Godly principles found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 the world would be a better place.

I truly believe the Holy Spirit can help us become people like this.

In a world obsessed with success, where principles are often sacrificed at the altar of ambition. Let us remember that Godly love for others is the foundation upon which the Kingdom of God is built. Godly Giftedness, talent, or Godly Wisdom without love hinders our progress to help a hurting world.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to cultivate these virtues, to become beacons of Godly love in a world desperately yearning for compassion and understanding. Let us not use our gifts for self-glorification, but to edify and uplift one another, reflecting God’s love in all that we do.

From an eternal perspective, our earthly achievements will fade, but the Godly love we share will endure and have a lasting impact. Let us, therefore, embrace agape love, not only in our personal relationships but also in our service to the church and our communities. For it is through love that we truly experience the divine, and it is through love that we leave a lasting legacy that transcends time itself.

As I said before, Jesus died on the Cross for our sins because God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. God showed us His love. Now it is our time to show our love through loving service in our church and to show love for others.

I pray to God that we all have faith, hope and love but we can’t forget that Agape or Godly love is the foundation for all.

May God grant us the grace to love as He loves, unconditionally and sacrificially, that we may be His instruments of peace and healing in a broken world. Amen.

Song: There is a Redeemer (358)

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!

PWS&D Sunday

This is the special Presbyterian World Service and Development Sunday. Your session, elders and Reverend Brad would invite you to give a special offering today to PWS&D. This is not in place of your regular offering.

Presbyterian World Service and Development is the international development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. PWS and D responds with programs in food security, health, livelihoods, human rights, and emergency relief to ease the pain of want and build more sustainable futures. The agriculture programs in developing countries rely on small-scale subsistence farming for survival. Soil erosion, prolonged drought and the rising price of seeds and commercial fertilizers make it difficult for farmers to increase crop production or purchase a variety of foods to balance their diets. This leads to high rates of hunger and malnutrition. Working with partners in Guatemala, Haiti, Malawi, Tanzania, Nicaragua and Pakistan, PWS and D is helping farmers increase crop yields, grow crop varieties, improve nutrition and build resilience to environmental changes.

Now let us pray for PWS & D

Holy God, Creator of all that is good, grant us the wisdom and compassion to be faithful stewards of this world and its people. Our hearts are heavy for those whose lives are marked by famine, poverty, and war, for all who suffer the injustices of oppressive governments and inequitable economies.

Today, we offer special thanks for our community of faith across this nation and for our global partners in ministry. We lift up those working through Presbyterian World Service and Development (PWS&D), whose dedication empowers local communities in developing nations to build a better future. We pray for PWS&D, that their efforts may be fruitful and bring relief to those in need.

We are grateful, Lord, for organizations like PWS&D, which extend your love and compassion to the most vulnerable. May PWS and D’s work be blessed and may it inspire us to greater acts of service.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

This is not a Dayspring Table. Neither is it a Presbyterian Table. It is a Table for all humankind – for men and women, girls and boys, who are seeking, or who have found, a relationship with Jesus Christ, whose Table this is. Do we believe that we are not in charge of the Table – rather that Jesus is? Yes – and Jesus says that all are welcome.

Song: Let us break bread together (548)

Communion Prayer

As we partake of this bread and wine, we honor Creator and creation.

As we bless and share these gifts, we celebrate the Table fellowship of Jesus.

All are made worthy by Jesus – adults, teenagers, children.  All are welcome!

We celebrate the communion and community of all humankind.

And we join with the universe to lift our hearts in joyful praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

O God, we give you thanks and praise.

You brought the universe into being, instilled all creation with life, and shaped us humans as Your people.

In Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life and the True Vine, You feed us with the Word. You nourish us with Your Love poured out in abundance upon us.

O present Spirit, help us recognize the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread.

You feed us and all the world with this bread.

You bring joy with this wine and grape juice.

Bread and Wine are leaven, salt, and life in us – a community of faith strengthened by this symbolic meal.

We pray in the name of Jesus who came among us – a deep mystery of faith.

Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.

Come, Holy One, come.

Bless and prosper this community of faith and service.

Bless and prosper our lives, that justice and love may be the measure of our individual and community witness.

Bless us as we sing the prayer which Jesus taught.

The Lord’s Prayer (469)

Offering of the Bread

“The Bread of life is for all who come in faith.”

Offering of the Wine

“Christ’s love is poured out for all of us.”

Song: One bread, one body (540)

The prayer after Communion

Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us symbolically and we have experienced your Real Presence.

We thank You for all those who have shared in this mystery, and thus in You – here and in many places through two millennia.

Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Hymn: Come let us sing (706)

Sending out with God’s blessing

May the Lord grant you peace. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. In The Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

Music postlude

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The Communion liturgy is based on the liturgies of the PCC’s 1991 Book of Common Worship. Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

Raymond Baker retains the copyright (© 2024) on all original material in this service. As far as he is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the third Sunday after the Epiphany
10:00 am    January 26, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Linda Farrah-Basford     Welcoming Elder: Rom Rhoad
Children’s time presenter: Brad     Reader Godfrey Esoh, Sr.

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ  be with you
P: and also with you

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: Welcome to all who have come in search of something;
P: We have come to seek the living God.
L: Happy are those who find a way and follow that path;
P: We do not make this journey by ourselves.
L: Blessed are those who give their lives over to their Creator.
P: In faith, in trust, with hope, let us worship God.

Opening praise: Everlasting God

Prayers of approach and confession
Creator, Christ and Spirit;
You are the maker of a better world.
You are the creator of lasting peace.
We worship you for the gifts of peace and healing that
You bring into troubled lives.
You have shown us the way to work for justice, to love friend and enemy alike, to build a better world.
In this time of worship, inspire us to believe our work in your name makes a difference.
So may we live to bring glory to you through our commitment to you  and the communion we share with so many around world as your faithful disciples.
Knowing your love is everlasting, we confess to you our sins.
God of grace and harmony, we confess we can be divisive when you call us to unity,
quarrelsome when you call us to seek peace, and critical rather than caring.
We have grown used to our own ways and cannot imagine you would ask us to change even for the sake of the Gospel.
Forgive us when we mistake our familiar traditions for your truth.
Show us how we can witness to your love through working and worshipping together. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s love
God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting.
It shines into the world and scatters the darkness.
Know that you are forgiven and forgive one another.
Be at peace and walk in the newness of life, led by God’s light.

Musical offering: Clare, Brad and Binu

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Jesus loves me (373)

Children’s time: Song from 1876
²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁸ “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ³¹ “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God^[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: This is the day (78)

Scriptures: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Luke 4:14-21

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Hometown Prophet
These words of Jesus have caused me pause over the years. This one line scared me. See, at the end of our reading, after the people get angry with Jesus, he says, “No prophet is accepted in his own house.” Being that I was a student when I was here before, I had a lot of fear about coming back. Luckily, I’m not much of a prophet, and things have turned out well.

Now, all of us have left home at some point. Some went away to college or the military or into the world and started to work and raise a family independently. You become changed when you go away for more than a visit or a trip. We get an education and experiences that are different from everyone back home. We grow and mature and make new friends. We become more independent and genuinely make decisions about and for ourselves. When we go home, everyone tends to expect the same person who went away. They feel everything around the house and the neighbourhood is the same as when we left. They expect certain things from us when we come back. Depending on the circumstances, they may be proud, knowing that you have been working hard on your education and genuinely becoming the you you will be. Sometimes, people come back because their lives are messed up. People again look at you expecting the same person, but everyone who goes away comes back changed, for the better or for the worse.

In today’s Scripture lesson, Jesus ends up in the synagogue where he grew up. Pretty much everybody knows him there. He has been gone for a while. We know that he went to Jerusalem, ended up out by the river, and was baptized by John. He’s been living and working in Capernaum, the larger town just outside Nazareth. After baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness, fasted for 40 days, and was tempted. According to Luke, he returns to Galilee in the power of the spirit, and people all over are talking about him.

Next, like a college student returning home at the end of the semester, Jesus shows up in his local synagogue surrounded by his mom, his family, the neighbours, and everyone who watched him grow up. The scripture says that Jesus went to the Synagogue as was his custom. So, he’s been teaching in different communities, it seems, and now he’s back to his home church. And they expect something from him.

A synagogue service required the presence of ten adult males (called a minion). There were no priests there. It was a lay-led service. At the service, the Shema was recited. It is generally considered the most crucial Hebrew Bible or Old Testament verse. It goes: Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad!

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. 6 These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, walk along the road, lie down, and get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.

Then came Tephillah—intercessory prayer and the Eighteen Benedictions—which were said standing facing Jerusalem. (Praise to God, repentance, healing, call for the Messiah).

After this, the Scriptures were read, beginning with a portion from the Torah (the first five books) and moving next to a section from the Prophets. I understand that the scriptures for each week were assigned, probably defined by the priest in Jerusalem. At the time, the people’s ancient language had largely been unused. The scripture would be in Hebrew, which most people could not understand. The community would come together to purchase single copies of each biblical scroll. They kept it in a shiny case and took it out to parade around the room before reading. The “preacher” for the day would read the text in Hebrew and then explain its meaning in the common language for everyone to understand. Then, the service would be closed with another benediction.

In each community that Jesus stayed in for the Sabbath, he went to church. As a visitor of age, he was asked if he would participate in the service. It was an honour to be asked, and it still is today.

In the synagogue, I can picture him sitting with the family. Mom, with a proud look on her face as her handsome grown son sits beside her. Some may not recognize him right away. We know he was asked or volunteered to read the scripture that day. We are told that he found the place to read.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

At the time, people stood to read and sat to teach. Jesus reads the passage, gives the scroll back, and moves to sit down. The people are all watching and waiting for his instruction on the scriptures. The feeling I get from the scripture is that they expect to hear some great things come from the new college Grad. It’s sort of like saying. Ok, you got all the book learning; say something good.

Jesus begins to speak in response to the scriptures. And here is Jesus’ sermon for the day. He said,

“Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” And that’s it.

Okay, so this is the shortest worship service ever. One sentence from the Bible and a one-sentence sermon. Well, probably not. What we have here is perhaps just the part that made people angry. And angry they were.

The people were waiting for the “Day of the Lord,” when all the children of Israel would be released from Roman control. On this day, it was expected that the Jews would establish a new kingdom under a new King. But also, the blind would see, the naked would be clothed, and no sin or corruption would touch the people. And, of course, the Day of the Lord would also mean the destruction of all God’s (and, by extension, the Hebrew people’s) enemies!

Long ago, God divided the promised land between 12 families or tribes. That land was to belong to each family forever. Yes, trades were made, land was sold, and people couldn’t always pay their debts, so something had to be done.

Every fifty years, enslaved people and bondservants in Israel were to be set free. The land was supposed to be returned to its tribe, and all debts forgiven. This ensured that long-term servitude did not become permanent and that individuals had the chance to regain their freedom and start anew. While there are slaves in the bible it was always temporary.

Any ancestral land sold due to economic hardship was to be returned to the original family. This prevented the permanent loss of familial inheritance and reduced socio-economic disparities over generations. It underscored that the land ultimately belonged to God.

Like the sabbatical year that occurred every seven years, during the Jubilee, the land was to lie fallow, not to be sown or harvested except by the owner. People were to eat only what the land naturally produced. This emphasized reliance on God.

Debts would be forgiven, providing economic relief to those in financial distress. This was intended to break cycles of poverty and allow people to reset their economic status.

The Year of Jubilee was a profound expression of social justice, emphasizing equality and care for the poor and marginalized. It highlighted God’s desire to treat everyone fairly and avoid generational poverty.

By mandating the return of land and the release of servants, the Jubilee reminded the Israelites that ultimate ownership belonged to God. People were stewards of what God had entrusted them rather than absolute owners.

The Jubilee provided hope for the disadvantaged and a fresh start for those burdened by debt or servitude. It mirrored themes of forgiveness, restoration, and freedom offered by God.

Little historical evidence shows that the Jubilee was consistently practiced in ancient Israel. Over time, its principles became more symbolic and prophetic, representing the ultimate liberation and restoration expected with the arrival of the Messiah.

The radical economic and social restructuring required by the Jubilee may have been challenging to implement consistently. Cancelling debts, freeing enslaved people, and returning land would have disrupted the established socio-economic order. Some scholars suggest that the Jubilee served more as an ideal or theological vision rather than a regularly enacted law. Its presence in scripture still taught essential lessons about God’s justice and mercy, regardless of its application.

Ultimately, while the Jubilee holds profound symbolic importance within the Bible’s theological and ethical landscape, direct evidence of its historical enactment in ancient Hebrew society is elusive. The Jubilee’s enduring legacy lies in its justice, equality, and renewal principles, which resonate in today’s theological discourse and social justice discussions.

Some prophetic texts, such as Isaiah 61, echo themes of restoration and liberation akin to the Jubilee, indicating its conceptual importance in Israel’s religious framework. These themes are prevalent in messages about justice, mercy, and restoration.

However, the Day of the Lord was also the Day of Judgement. Jesus omits one line at the end of the reading: “And the Day of the great Vengeance of Our God!”

This day was meant to be a blessing to the Hebrews but a curse to everyone else. It was to be a time when God would crush the people’s enemies and Smite them. The people were happy about the grace part, but they wanted vengeance! And they hadn’t seen any vengeance!

In my imagination, I can hear an uncomfortable silence. People politely wait for more. They expect Jesus to have a thought or connection to some other scripture—one sentence, something to explain what he means.

The initial reaction is like attending a piano recital or school play. Everyone is complimentary. “Wasn’t that nice?” We can only guess what the thoughts were, Good or bad. According to scripture, the outward response to Jesus is favourable. Even the Question, “Isn’t that Joseph’s son?” can be positive. Perhaps it is the tone of voice or inflection we don’t have today. Isn’t that Joseph’s Son? The carpenter, an ordinary workman…. A few years ago, this man worked as a helper on my cart or house.

For whatever reason, Jesus knows that his words aren’t sitting well. So in verse 23, Jesus told them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ’Physician, heal yourself! Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’ ” In other words, if you are the Messiah, then everything in your family will surely be perfect. Physicians heal you or fix all your family problems! They want proof and get mad when they don’t see what they want to see. Very mad!

But they know Jesus, they know his family, and they know their lives aren’t perfect. If he can’t fix his house, how can he restore the kingdom?

But instead of proof, Jesus responds: 24, “I tell you the truth,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Or “I didn’t expect you to understand.”

The people started out thinking that Jesus was a pretty good guy—a good teacher—but he was no messiah. He is the carpenter’s son, and that’s the best he will ever be.

And that’s when things take a massive turn for the worse. Remember, this is a worship service. And when Jesus says this, it becomes a mob. They chase him away with plans to throw him off of a cliff!

I wonder… Do we do this?

As we close our reflection on Luke 4:14-21, let’s pause and envision that profound scene in the synagogue of Nazareth. Jesus stands among familiar faces—His neighbours, His kin, and those who watched Him grow from a child into a man. As the scroll rolls open, His words cut through the air, resonating with both promise and challenge. “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” He proclaims. In that moment, light breaks through cultural notions, illuminating paths of liberation and hope.

It was a moment pregnant with potential – a divine invitation for the community to embrace their Messiah. Yet, as the message swirled around the room, their reception soon soured. The hope of all Israel stood before them, but when faced with the prospect of transformative change, they hesitated and resisted.

The question arises: Do we, too, find ourselves inviting Jesus in only to chase Him away when His words ask too much of us?

Imagine you are hosting a dear friend for dinner. You’ve set the table, prepared the meal, and planned every detail. This friend arrives, bringing not only their presence but fresh insights and perspectives that challenge the status quo of your home. Initially enticed by this fresh wind, you eventually become uncomfortable with the rearrangement of your cherished decor—the figurative things you’ve clung to for comfort. In your uncertainty, you cast out new insight and the friend.

Jesus comes to us, friends, not merely to sit at our table in a comfortable companionship. He comes as a gentle architect, a loving renovator of the human heart, eager to strip away the layers of self-conception and societal expectations that confine our imaginations. He invites us into the liberating work of restoring God’s kingdom on earth.

Yet how often do we, overwhelmed by the enormity of transformation, cling to the safety of what we have known? Perhaps we unconsciously chase away the very presence we longed to invite, stifling His transformative work.

Today, let us choose openness, a posture of humility—a willingness to not only invite Jesus into our lives but also allow Him to remain, renew, and reshape us. Perhaps we can take a moment in prayerful reflection, asking: What parts of our lives might we be guarding from Christ’s influence? What treasured comforts keep us from fully embracing His vision for our lives and our community?

May this sacred space become a heart-haven where we engage in the problematic yet holy work of allowing Christ to dwell richly among us, challenging, loving, and leading us toward the beautiful corners of growth yet undiscovered.

As we leave today, renewed in spirit and united in purpose, may we passionately pursue lives marked by radical hospitality—not just inviting Jesus in on our terms but welcoming Him fully, ready to walk together toward the kingdom He reveals. Because if a prophet is welcome anywhere – it’s here in this house. Amen.

Song: We cannot own the sunlit sky (717)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayers for ourselves and others

Creator God, you made each of us in our uniqueness, and together, you made all of us to bear your image in the world.

Accept our unique gifts, and bless them for the sake of your Son, Jesus.

May they bear his grace and mercy into the world you love to fulfil your purposes.

God of life, God of love.

You created us and set us in relationship with each other: in families and neighbourhoods, in churches and communities, in cultures and nations.

We give you thanks for the rich gifts of arts and culture, of home life and community celebration which bring meaning and encouragement to our lives.

Help us contribute our gifts to the traditions and imagination that sustain the best of our common life from one generation to the next.

God of mercy and forgiveness, you call us to live together in peace and unity.

In this Week of Prayer for Christian unity, we pray that your Spirit will create understanding and cooperation among all who bear Christ’s name.

Help us share our gifts with each other so that churches within our community may flourish and our shared mission will find new energy.

Please lead us to reach out to those of other faiths and no faith so that, together, we may be a blessing in the world you love.

God of healing and hope,

We pray for our neighbourhoods and our nation.

Where people are divided, and bitterness turns into resentment, show us how to work for reconciliation.

Inspire our leaders at every level of community life to work together for the care of the most vulnerable and to restore the goodness of our common life.

Make us generous citizens and careful stewards of the land you entrust to us together.

God of justice and mercy,

We pray for the world you love, the world Christ died to redeem, so deeply divided by religious and political animosities, by ancient bitterness and current conflict.

Encourage world leaders to work for peace and understanding, especially in places torn apart by violence, poverty, hunger, and the effects of natural disasters.

May the hope that Jesus embodies encourage us to work for positive change.

God of courage and comfort,

We remember those of our congregation and community in need of your special attention today…

Keep a silence for 30 seconds, and/or name people and local concerns.

Use us as agents of your healing and hope. Amen.    

Song: Will you come and follow me (634)

Sending out with God’s blessing

 Response: God to enfold you

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

Worship on the Second Sunday after the Epiphany
10:00 am January 19, 2025
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalists: Peter and Cheryl Sheridan     Reader: Martin Sawdon
Welcoming Elder: Sam Malayang    Children’s time presenter: Vivian Houg

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: God of the feast and abundance,
P: you constantly turn water into fine wine.
L: Though the wine has run out,
P: you work miracles among us.
L: Though the work feels impossible,
P: you accomplish wonders through us.
L: Though many fail to perceive it,
P: you reveal your glory among us.
L: Please help us receive your good gifts today,
P: so we might learn to put our faith in you. Amen

Opening praise: Here I am to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

Loving God, we come to You today with open hearts, asking for Your forgiveness and help. We know we have made mistakes and haven’t , done the right thing. In our thoughts, words, and actions, we haven’t lived the way You want us to.

We admit that we haven’t always put You first in our lives or loved other people as much as we love ourselves. Sometimes we think more about what we want instead of what others need. And of course we do. But we want to do both. Please forgive us for being selfish and not caring for those around us as much as we might.

We know we have been quick to speak and slow to listen, missing chances to understand others. We sometimes use words that hurt instead of heal, and we don’t always say the kind things we should. Forgive us for this and for the moments we stayed quiet when we could have offered hope and love.

In our busy lives, we haven’t always made time for You, God. We let the noise around us distract us from listening to Your voice and following Your guidance. We ask for Your forgiveness and help to make time to connect with You.

We also confess that we haven’t cared for the earth, Your marvellous creation. We’ve used its resources without thinking about how it affects the future. Please forgive us and help us to protect and care for the world around us.

We know we’ve ignored injustice and suffering, sometimes choosing comfort over doing what’s right. We’ve stayed silent when we should have spoken up. Forgive us for looking away and show us how to love mercy and act justly.

In our friendships and communities, we’ve let differences divide us when we should be united. Forgive us for judging others and help us to see everyone with love and understanding. Teach us to build bridges and break down barriers.

Gracious God, we’re sorry for our failures, but we trust in Your love and mercy. Clean our hearts and renew our spirits so we can walk in Your light and truth. Give us the strength to live as true followers of Jesus, sharing hope and joy everywhere we go.

Thank You for always offering us forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Savior. We trust in His love and peace. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s pardon

God’s love for us is endless, and His mercy knows no bounds. When we come to God with a sincere heart, asking for forgiveness, He welcomes us with open arms and wipes our slate clean.

We are forgiven and made new through Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. Jesus came to show us the way of love and peace, and through His sacrifice, we are set free from our mistakes and given a fresh start. Thanks be to God!

Musical offering by the Dayspring Singers: Little drummer boy/Peace on earth

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Jesus loves me (373)                                              

Children’s time

Theme: Jesus performs miracles — not magic tricks.

Object: Two pitchers, one clear and one opaque, a package of grape Kool-Aid, a spoon, and a glass. (Ahead of time, put the package of Kool-Aid in the opaque pitcher.)

Scripture: This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. John 2:11 (NIV)

This morning you are going to see an amazing feat of magic. I am going to take the plain, ordinary water in this glass pitcher and turn it into wine. Would anyone like to taste this water to make sure that it is just plain water? (Someone will surely take you up on your offer.)

OK, now that we know that this is just a pitcher of plain water, I will perform my magic. (Pour the water into the opaque pitcher with Kool-Aid in the bottom.) Now, I will take my magic spoon and stir the water. Now, watch this! (Pour the Kool-Aid into the glass.) Isn’t that the most amazing thing you have ever seen? How did I do that? (Allow time for them to guess how it was done.) The truth is, there was nothing magical about what happened. In the bottom of this pitcher was a package of grape Kool-Aid. I didn’t turn water into wine…all I did was turn water into Kool-Aid. Anyone can do that!

I did this silly little “magic” trick this morning to start us to thinking about the miracles that Jesus performed. Notice that I said, “Miracles” not “Magic.” During his time on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. He healed the sick, he raised the dead, he walked on water, and he fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. These miracles could not be explained by a simple trick. They were things that only God could do. Our Bible lesson today tells of the very first miracle of Jesus — turning water into wine.

There was a great wedding celebration in the village of Cana. Almost everyone in town was there. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited. Everyone was having a good time until a very unfortunate thing happened. They ran out of wine. Jesus’ mother went looking for her son. When she found Jesus, she said to him, “There is no more wine.” Even though Jesus wasn’t ready to reveal that he was the Messiah, he quietly took on the responsibility of helping the host out of his predicament.

His mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you to do.”

There were six stone water jars nearby. Each one could hold twenty or thirty gallons. “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told the servants. When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” The servants did as they were told, and I am sure you probably know what happened. The water had been turned into wine. Not only that, it was the best wine they had had all evening.

This was the first miracle that Jesus performed. The Bible tells us that after they saw Jesus perform this miracle, the disciples believed in him. That was always the reason that Jesus performed a miracle. He didn’t do it so that he would become popular or well-liked. He did it so that all would believe that he was God’s Son who had come to save them.

I believe…do you?

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son and for the miracle of salvation. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: Speak, Lord in the stillness (442)

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; John 2:1-11

Response: Glory to the Father            

Message: The First Miracle

This first miracle of Jesus took place in a village called, Cana of Galilee. Cana was an inconspicuous little town just outside of Nazareth (another inconspicuous little town). Cana had no social significance in its day at all but it was about to become the sight of something huge. God, it seems, loves doing big things with so called “little people”. Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as Jesus and his disciples had all been invited to the wedding there. Most likely the whole town was invited as well as relatives and friends from all over the Galilean community. Cultural norms would have us to understand that this was a “peasant” wedding from some of the information we see. But that wouldn’t affect the guests much. These types of weddings just worked a little more like potlucks than the wealthy weddings did. And the “ceremony” would be completely unaffected. In fact, there weren’t really ceremonies to be affected. The actual “wedding ceremony” was just two groups of people escorting the couple into a tent. But what happened afterwords was a sight to behold. You see, for 3 days and ending on the day before the Sabbath the town would party… and the wine would flow.

Now, before we move on I want to delve into the story just a bit in order to explain a few things about it.

In Verse1-3 it says, On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

Because at the time Jesus was seen as Rabbani (a rabbinic teacher) and the disciples were seen as Talmudiyyim (a special class of students), Jesus would not be responsible to bring food or other preparations for himself, but he would normally be responsible for the contribution of the disciples. However, Jesus and the disciples were also publicly known to be involved in a mendicant (Men-D-Cant) ministry (dependent upon others for funds). Because of this, Jesus and the disciples would have been one of those rare groups of invites who came to the party but didn’t actually contribute anything – as they would be unable to provide for the feast.

In any case, the couple runs out of wine and so Mary goes to Jesus; probably a bit uncomfortably; and to suggest to him that certain people would be looking at him and at his friends (and her by extension) as freeloaders.

Now if you know the story you may assume that Mary goes to Jesus expecting him to do something. But that’s not the case. Nothing in the story indicates that she expected anything of him at all. In fact, what is almost certain is that she was simply informing him because in this culture of honor and shame, they all might be wearing out their welcome. But notice this… there is nothing in her words which in any way that suggest she asked anything of him or expects anything from him. She only informs him of the problem stating, “They have no more wine”. And that’s all she says. (Derrett, Law in the NT 228–38).

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

It’s an interesting response. Some would see this as confrontation, “Don’t bother me woman”, but in truth this is just one place where accurately translating something makes for confusion. Firstly, in the first century, referring to a mother or a wife as “women” was considered an affectionate designation. In fact, “woman” is a typical address in love poems written at the time. So don’t worry. He is not belittling his mother. Secondly “Why do you involve me” or “what has this to do with me” is also confusing for modern readers. But in 2 Kings 3:13 the prophet Elijah uses the exact same words in response to a request but again he also immediately does a kind deed in response to a lack of something needed. In other words… there is no need to read something negative into this statement. In fact, although it doesn’t appear like it in English, in Aramaic there was a sort of implied intent to get involved in his response. This is why the Amplified Bible renders this “Dear woman my time is not yet”.

Mary’s response to him also makes this clear actually, because right after he says “Why do you involve me,” Mary tells the servants to do whatever he tells them to.

Now in the story it says that “6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.”

These traditional stone jars were giant. They served as hand washing stations for before the meal according to Jewish customs. The water could be scooped up with a cup and then poured over the hands of the guest by a wedding servant who was assigned to work much like a butler (no doubt these are the people Mary tells to do what Jesus asks). And “7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they fllled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” And then the story continues, “They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.” And finally it concludes with “11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”

Now this is just a silly side note here, but I can’t help myself. If you’ve got 6 jars at 25 gallons, that’s 150 gallons. If you figure 4 ounces to a glass, 128 ounces to a gallon, you get 32 glasses of wine per gallon and for a grand total of 4,800 glasses of wine! That is the first recorded miracle of Jesus. He made somewhere around 4,800 glasses of wine. So even if there are 1000 people at this party that’s still nearly 5 glasses of wine per person and that’s after they already drank all the other wine before Jesus makes this. I just have one word… Baptists?

Now, remember at the beginning of this message I said of the first century Jewish wedding “for 3 days, and ending on the day before the Sabbath the town would party and the wine would flow.” You know what this means now. 150 gallons of it would flow. It’s extravagant. And that’s part of the point.

For the Evangelist John, there are a lot of illusions at play in this story and in the exact words he chooses to tell it with. The basic fact that Jesus makes wine for example, was no doubt intended to be seen by his original Greek audience as a sort of political satire on Greek society. Greeks who worshiped Dionysus (The Greek “wine-giver” god) is slighted by a Jewish Messiah from a know-nothing town out in the middle of know-where; backwoods Galilee.

In addition to this, most commentators quickly acknowledge that in the Johannine narrative there is an implicit contrast between water used for Jewish purification rites and the wine given by Jesus. In other words, John chooses his words very carefully. Water is continually used as a theme throughout his gospel and often as a symbol for the old order ceremonial laws, while wine is poured out like the gift of life. For John a story of Jesus turning water into wine is a story about Jesus tuning the ceremonial law on its head and introducing a new covenant of grace.

On top of this John’s picture of the kingdom of God is also a theme for him. Feasts are prominent in Jewish teaching. They are a stand in for the afterlife. By using a wedding feast as a setting John is also making a statement about the eschaton (the end of days). (Beasley-Murray, John: Commentary (Vol l36. Pg 36).

But of course, John’s main point is much simpler. And it’s not about symbols of the future or allegories for life. And it’s not about political commentary or claims about changing legal code. I do think he is making those points, but John’s main point is that this Jesus is the Messiah and the savior of the world who proves who he is by his deeds.

Where to take it from here

So what does this story mean to us? Well, it means that like disciples we are called to put our faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savoir of the world and to know him by his deeds and believe. But I think it’s a mistake to think about this story just in terms of who we have faith in. It is about that. But not just that:

I think for us it’s also about what happens in our lives when the wine runs out.

I submit to you that life has its empty spots, in spite of all the glitter and glamour; deep beneath the surface often lays an empty reservoir of lost dreams and hopes. Void and lack, plague our lives and prohibit our pursuits of fulfillment and satisfaction. All of us, in spite of our ages, wages, races, ethnic identities and a host of other things, have to wrestle with the issue of emptiness from time to time. The world is a feast without wine, and it’s often broken and empty. Empty marriages, lost loves, sad goodbyes, illness and death, and shirking bank accounts are the norms of our time.

We think we’ve done the calculations, we think we understand the numbers, we think we know what we need, and we’ve measured things out so carefully in life… but only to find that all are plans have turned to naught. Sooner or later we all have that moment. The wine runs out.

Our own culture is far removed from Jesus and Mary’s and their culture of Honor and Shame but there is still a stigma to sadness, and we are generally less far removed from them, then at first thought. People put on masks of happiness and play the part when truly they suffer. Sometimes the wine runs out and it happens to us all.

The question that confronts us all today is how do we deal with those empty spots in our lives? How do we deal with failing and faulty finances, bankrupt relationships, broken homes and hopes? How do we deal with the things that leave us feeling as if we are stranded on an island by ourselves?

I suggest two things from today’s gospel: 1) nobody is alone in their pain – and pain is normal. & 2) When the wine runs out, we should turn to the Miracle worker who makes water into wine and provides more than we could ever need.

Nobody is alone in their pain – pain is normal.

Max Lucado tells this great story. In it he says, I was flying home to San Antonio one evening and as the wheels of the plane hit the runway, all through the plane you could hear the unfastening of seatbelts. A voice came over the intercom saying, “Please remain seated with your seatbelts fastened until the plane comes to a complete stop”. No one paid the slightest attention to it. People were opening overhead compartments, getting their stuff out. I asked myself, why are they so anxious to get off this plane – and the answer came to me very quickly: They were so anxious to get off the plane because they were home. They were home and they wanted to get off that plane because it’s not where they belonged. Then I asked myself, Why do we Christians, hold so fast to our seats in this world? Why aren’t we as anxious as these people, to get off this crazy world when in fact were not home here either?

The truth is, pain and emptiness exist here for good reason. We all suffer together for a reason. And yes, we will have Great times and bad times alike… but that’s why the wine runs out… Because we aren’t home yet. Life isn’t perfect here. And life doesn’t need to be perfect here because we are not home yet.

When the wine runs out, we should turn to Jesus who turns water into wine.

Ultimately Jesus Christ is the one that brings us home. But before we get there, even this side of heaven we have someone to turn to. When the wine runs out the best thing to do is to go to the winemaker. Have you any rivers that you can’t cross or any mountains that you can’t tunnel through? Jesus specializes in the impossible and he can do what no other power can do… because when you turn everything over to him, one way or another, in this life or the next…

the wine will flow.

Amen.

Song: Great is thy faithfulness (324)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves    

Loving and Compassionate God,

We come before You today, deeply aware of the pain and suffering in our world. We lift up to You all those who are hurting, whether in body, mind, or spirit. Our hearts break for those affected by illness, conflict, and injustice.

We pray for healing where there is disease. Pour out Your strength and comfort on those in hospitals, homes, and places of care. Be with their families and caregivers and grant them the endurance and resilience they need each day.

In places torn by conflict and violence, we plead for Your peace. Soften hearts that are hardened by hatred and fear and inspire leaders to choose dialogue and reconciliation over division and strife. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard the hearts of those in despair.

We remember those who feel isolated and lonely. Surround them with community and love, reminding them that they are never alone. Stir in us the compassion to reach out, offering friendship and support to those in need of connection.

For those struggling with grief and loss, Lord, bring comfort and hope. Let them feel Your presence and give them the courage to face each new day. May Your promise of eternal life bring solace to their mourning hearts.

Guide us, Holy Spirit, to be agents of Your healing and love in the world. Empower us to act with kindness and mercy, advocating for justice and serving selflessly. Show us how to care for Your creation and foster a spirit of peace and harmony.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer. We trust in Your loving-kindness and believe that You are making all things new. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our savior and healer. Amen.

Song: Oh sing to our God (453)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As we leave this place of worship, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with each of you.

Go forth in peace, knowing that you are deeply loved and blessed by God. May your hearts be filled with hope and joy as you carry His light into the world.

Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. In every moment, may you be a witness to His boundless grace and compassion.

Let this community be a beacon of love and understanding, reaching out to all with open hearts.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.

Response: Gloria in excelsis deo

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 License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2024) 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.

Worship on the First Sunday after the Epiphany
Baptism of the Lord
10:00 am       12 January 2025
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Minister: The Rev Brad Childs     Worship Service led by Lynn Vaughan
Music director: Binu Kapadia     Vocalist: Rom Rhoad
Elder: Renita MacCallum     Reader: Leah Eisen

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: Beloved, God chooses us and calls us by name.
P: We belong to God. Alleluia!
L: Our lives have purpose because we belong to God.
P: We are called to be like Christ and follow him.
L: We will find joy, peace, and restoration through God’s amazing grace.
P: Let us worship God who claims us and loves us! Praise be to God!

Opening praise: Holy Spirit, you are welcome here

Prayers of adoration and confession

Creator of the sun and moon and stars, you stir in our midst to reveal your light.

By the work of your Spirit, you lead us in new directions.

Your beloved Son has called us to new life and by his grace, reconciles the divisions among us.

Holy One, we praise you for the blessings you give us in our baptism into Christ, and through your love that surrounds us day by day.

To you, we give all praise, glory and honour, through Jesus Christ, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always.

Merciful God, in baptism, you promise forgiveness and new life, but we confess that we prefer our old, familiar ways.

We cling to destructive habits, we harbour grudges, and we are reluctant to welcome a stranger or forgive one another.

Nostalgia for the past prevents us from exploring new possibilities.

In your loving kindness, forgive us.

Have mercy upon us and move among us so that we might pursue new life in Christ together. Amen

Response: Glory. Glory, hallelujah!

Assurance of God’s pardon

Do not be afraid, for Christ has redeemed you.
Baptized in the deep waters of death, he has washed away your sins.
Risen from the dead, he invites you to be washed in the cleansing tide of God’s mercy. Your sins are forgiven; be at peace with God, with yourself, and with each other.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus loves me (373)

Story: Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17)

I’m sure you recognize what I have in my hand. It’s a photo album. Most parents have several photo albums that are full of pictures taken of their children as they were growing up. We have always been very pleased with our children.

We took pictures of our children in school, at church, playing, at Christmas time, on their birthdays, and many other occasions. We were pleased with them as they grew up, and we are pleased with them today.

Do you think God was pleased with His son, Jesus?

I know He was, because it says so in the Bible. When Jesus was baptized, the Bible tells us that there was a voice from heaven that said, “This is my Son, and I love Him. I am very pleased with Him.” Why do you think God was pleased with His son?

What did God say first? That’s right! God said, “This is my Son!” He wanted everyone to know who Jesus was. Then, God went even further by saying, “This is my Son, and I love him.”

So, what’s the second thing God said? That’s right! God said, “I love him.” God loves His son!

These pictures show a lot of things that our children did. But more than anything, these pictures show that these are OUR kids. They belong to us. And we love them! We are a family!

When we trust in Jesus as our Saviour, we become the children of God. When we are baptised, God accepts us into His family. God loves us from the very beginning when we become His children, because that is what He wants us to be.

God says to us, “You are my son. You are my daughter. And I love you!”

God loves you! That’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?

I wonder if God has a photo album in heaven with your pictures in it. I know He has a book with all His children’s names in it. God is pleased with you when you become His child. It’s wonderful to hear God say, “You are my child. I love you. And I am pleased with you.”

Prayer: Let us pray: (This is a repeat after me prayer.)

Dear God, thank You for making us Your children. Thank You for loving us so much!

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: O Holy dove of God, descending (392)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Isaiah 43:1-7; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3L15-17 & 21-22

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: All in the family

Do you ever feel invisible? I DO. Quite a bit of the time, actually. I sometimes think invisibility might just be my superpower!!?!

I know that it’s probably hard for some of you to believe this about me, but I’ll tell you a little secret: outside of these Dayspring walls, people don’t usually notice me much. For instance: If I’m standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, someone often steps right in front of me like I’m not even there. Like, they didn’t even see me, apparently. And even more frequently than that, cars will pull out onto the roadway just as I’m approaching them, causing me to slam on the brakes to avoid a rear end collision. It’s like my superpower transfers over to whichever vehicle I’m driving. I used to tell my kids when they were little that it’s because I had pressed the ‘cloak of invisibility’ button in the vehicle – and they believed me!?! Even in my own house, I sometimes feel like my family doesn’t even know I’m there. I say things or do things – and get no reaction at all. I’m pretty sure I could actually rob a bank and get away with it. Nobody would be able to give a description, ‘cause they wouldn’t have registered anything about my appearance!

When enough incidents like this happen to us, it’s easy to start to feel like you’re invisible. Like you don’t matter. Like nobody even knows … or cares … that you’re here. It’s like you’re invisible to the world.

Well, I’ll let you in on another secret: You are NOT invisible, especially not to God. You are a precious member of His family!!

Today, on this first Sunday after the Epiphany, we are celebrating the baptism of Jesus. Baptism is a reminder that each one of us is special in God’s eyes and is embraced in His circle of love. We are ALL beloved children of God. The beautiful thing about the sacrament of baptism – whether it’s a baby, an older child, a teenager or a senior – is that it is a pure gift. You don’t have to earn the promise of God’s love. It is yours. It is mine. It is ours. There’s no need to strive for it or earn it or act in a certain way to get it. God’s love is a pure, absolute gift to each and every one of us. And in our world where there is a price attached to pretty much everything, or where people have to do something or be a certain way to be accepted, this is priceless.

In the gospel of Mark, the writer gets straight to the point as to what he believes is most important when it comes to the life of Jesus. It actually begins with the story of Jesus’ baptism. There is no Christmas narrative. There are no angels or shepherds or dreams or a long list of genealogies, because none of that matters to Mark. The gospel starts off, chapter 1 verse 1, with the words: “This is the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Then, we meet John, clothed in camel hair and eating nothing but locusts and honey. He is a teacher and a prophet, called to prepare the way for Jesus. In this morning’s reading, we heard how John preached about a baptism of repentance and for the forgiveness of sins.

It sounds a bit daunting, doesn’t it? Repentance and sins are words with a lot of baggage and weight to them. But repentance is really about turning in a new direction and living in a new way. Sins are all those things that separate us from the love of God. This shows itself in different forms for each one of us, but they are the things that prevent us from remembering that we are God’s beloved children. John the Baptist is teaching and preaching to all who will listen about a new way of living and a new way of drawing closer to God.

The next part of the scripture reading recounts what happened next with Jesus’ baptism. Luke 3:21-22 states: ^“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, saying: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.”
And with that, Jesus begins his public ministry of teaching and healing.

THIS is the starting place for all of us, as well. We are God’s beloved children and God is well pleased with each one of us. None of us are invisible to God!

This past month or so, we have been fortunate enough to celebrate a few baptisms and baby dedications here in our sanctuary. We hear the hopes and prayers of parents as they bring their children for baptism. Each family offers something different, but they are all grounded in a deep love for their children and wanting what’s best for them. Just as God wants what’s best for us.

Well known author, David Lose, writes: “In Holy Baptism, God just chooses us. In Holy Baptism, God says that we are enough. Already. That we are pleasing to God and deserve to be loved. And that identity of being God’s beloved child – precisely because it is established by God – cannot be taken away from us or, for that matter, lost by us. Rather, God continues to come into our lives to call us beloved and blessed and promises to be always both with us and for us. That promise and that blessing, in turn, helps us face all the challenges we encounter. Problems at home or in the community, concerns about the world or our personal lives. We can face whatever might be plaguing us with greater confidence knowing that God is on our side.”

Think, for a moment, of all that will happen in the coming year – the decisions that will be made, relationships started (or ended), careers changed, schools entered, illnesses endured, challenges surmounted, risks taken, adventures dared, love shared. So much will come down the pike in the coming weeks and months. Some of it, we may anticipate and be prepared for, but much of it, we simply can’t imagine. Daunting. Until we remember that God is with us through all of it. God is on our side. God will not abandon us but will walk alongside us, strengthening us, encouraging us, granting us grace sufficient to become the people God wants us to be.”

(http://www.davidlose.net/2018/01/epiphany-1-b-powerful-words-for-a-new-year/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+davidlose%2FIsqE+%28…In+the+Meantime%29)

As each one of us meets the challenges of this day / this week / this month / this new year, we are reminded that faith is not a magical cure-all but is the constant reminder that God is with us, lightening our burdens and providing hope. Any challenges we face, we do so with God’s help and the support from our community of faith, our church FAMILY. With the words “beloved” ringing in our ears each and every new day, we are called to be about God’s work in the world. There are so many ways to respond, but they are all grounded in a new way of living that is rooted in God’s grace. This makes all things possible. Rooted in God’s love, Jesus showed us what that new way of living looked like. It was the face of compassion. It was mercy. It was grace. It was life giving. It was healing. It was hope.

We are invited to be about that work of compassion, mercy, grace, living-giving, healing, and hope. When we feed those who are hungry, we proclaim the good news that God is with us. When we walk in the shadows with those who are lost and hurting, we offer the light of new life. When we support our brothers and sisters in Christ, our lives proclaim the good news that we are all God’s beloved children. This is the promise that comes with baptism and that has called us and claimed us as Christ’s own.

Baptism is a new way of living. Mark knew that. He knew that there could be no better way to start the story of Jesus’ life than on the day of his baptism. Today, we are God’s beloved and with each and every one of us, God is well pleased. You are NOT invisible to God; you are a precious member of His family! And … You are a precious member of our faith family! Amen

Song: Spirit of the living God (400)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving

In this time of Epiphany, God’s gift to us in Christ is revealed to the world. Our gifts to God in Christ’s name reveal our commitment to the love and mercy, the forgiveness and hope we have received. Our gifts proclaim that we are beloved to God and God is beloved to us.

God our Maker, we bring our gifts to you in thanksgiving for your gifts to us in Christ and in creation. Bless what we bring and who we are, so that our gifts will bless the world you love in Christ’s name.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

God of time and eternity: as the new year stretches before us, we thank you for the time you give us and for all those things that are still possible and precious in this gift.

We thank you for each new day and its possibilities; for each night, its rest and reflection.

We thank you for words of forgiveness and the chance to make a new start, for words of invitation to explore new opportunities.

Give us the courage to try something new and the conviction to finish things leftover from last year.

Make time spent this year your time, O God.

Bless our time with you.

God of moments and memories we remember before you people facing difficult times in the months ahead.

We pray for those struggling with illness, and for those facing treatment or surgery with uncertain results….

We pray for those who are grieving the loss of dear ones and for all who remember what was, but can no longer be…

God of hopefulness and helpfulness, we remember those who are seeking new opportunities this year:

Those training for new employments and those looking for work;

Those developing new businesses and seeking the right employees;

And those who provide services to improve life in our communities amid the uncertainties around us…

Give us wisdom and perseverance in what we undertake as a congregation in the face of all the changes in our community.

As we work together with the vision of your kingdom before us this year, fill us with love and generosity that can change the world because of your blessing.

We pray we can make a difference in even the most challenging situations because we are the people of your beloved Son and your own Beloved children. Amen.

Song: Amigos de Cristo (Friends of the Lord) (476)

Sending out with God’s blessing

May the God who gives us this new year and the Saviour who walks at our side each day, and the Spirit who fills us with life abundant, continue to grant us His peace, hope and joy.

Response: God to enfold you

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 License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).

Lynn Vaughan retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as she is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is her own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is uninten