Brake Tappers

Posted on September 22, 2024September 22, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 22 September 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Fionna McCrostiie
Elder: Heather Tansem

We gather to worship God

Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: From sunrise to sunset,
P: Let us praise God’s holy name.
L: With the wisdom of the aged and the energy of the young,
P: Let us praise God’s holy name.
L: In our work, in our homes, and in all we do,
P: Let us praise God’s holy name.
L: Let us praise the Lord with all our hearts!
P: We will worship God now and always.

Opening praise: Praise the Lord

Prayers of approach and confession

God of all creation, you have opened the world around us and filled it with beauty and purpose.

Each creature declares your praise –

the mountain states your majesty;
the ripened field, your generosity.
Birds flying aloft sing of your freedom;
the tiny ant works with your persistence.

We pray that all our work will honour your justice and mercy.

May all our relationships speak of your compassion.

So may we praise you, O God, not just in this hour of worship but in all the hours you grant us, as we follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Friend.

God of all creation, you opened the world around us and filled it with wonder, yet we confess we look away from its harsher realities.

Our ears can be deaf to cries of need.

Our minds ignore opinions which differ from our own.

Forgive us when we seek greatness instead of goodness, and miss the wisdom you intend us to embrace.

Response: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me

Assurance of God’s love

The prophet Micah reminds us that God requires of us three things:

to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God.
to all who truly repent and seek reconciliation with God and neighbour
in kindness and humility, God offers forgiveness and peace.

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus, we are gathered

Story: Symbols

Vivian talked with the children about “symbols” and about how there are several of these in the sanctuary.

She showed the children 3 symbols …

and asked the children, as she showed them one of the following symbols, to go and stand beside that symbol – which they did.

Then she asked the children the meaning of the symbols and they knew that the dove is a symbol for God’s Goly Spirit and of peace; the cross is a symbol of Jesus dying (on a cross) for our sins; and the bread and wine cup are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood.

After each symbol discussion with the children, Vivian facilitated a response to the children from the adult congregation.

Transition music

Song: For the beauty of the earth (434: vss 1-4)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 54; and Mark 9:30-37

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Brake Tappers

This week I found myself watching a car in front of me swerve back and forth, in and out of every lane just hoping to inch his way one more car length ahead. He swerves right, he ducks in behind a big truck on the left, he’s back right again. And now 10 seconds later his turn signal light goes on again. He wants me to let him in front of me

Convicted by my own sermon from a few weeks ago (Pete letting people in traffic),

I tapped on the brake and waved him in.

For the most part – The race is on.

In nearly every situation that I find myself in, there is a rush, a press, a blitz.

Let’s face it; we’re an agenda-driven and schedule-controlled people. Ask a friend how they’re doing, and most will respond with some variation of “busy”. Busyness… has become the Canadian Badge of Honor as if having too much to do, is a sign of one’s importance.

We live in a world where we sprint from one congested location to the next. Traffic lanes, checkout lines, security screenings… Even in the privacy of our own homes, our own internet connections, things just aren’t quite fast enough, are they? The three seconds it takes – that one particular page takes to load – feels like an annoying eternity.

That’s exactly why when somebody – a perfect stranger or close friend – taps their brakes on our behalf, we notice, perhaps even marvel.

I’ve come to believe that “yielding” is a lost art, and so we squeeze as close as we can to the car in front of us so that merging traffic has to find another option.

Get in that elevator… but don’t look at each other,

don’t talk,

don’t waste time.

What cashier moves the fastest? What grocery bagger looks like the new guy?

What line has fewer “nice old ladies with coupons” and more signal guys with frozen pizzas and two litres of store-brand pop?

Next, it’s a hurry to get home – and flip through channels for the next three hours?

And then there’s the airport.

Don’t even think about other people in the airport.

No eye contact, that’s the first part of the strategy.

Step up. Step in. It’s all about bin space, making connections -No,

Retrieving luggage… That’s it. Count those people, remember where your bag is. Don’t let the guy behind you stand up first.

It’s all about me… Me… Me first!

But… Jesus treasured … the brake tappers.

He was one himself and he tried to get his talmidim (disciples) – (his students who claimed that they wanted to follow in his footsteps and be like him) to do the same.

He tried to get his disciples (us) to understand that when somebody was prepared to interrupt their own agenda (or traffic pattern) for the sake of someone else… then they were getting closer to understanding the heart of sacrifice and the heart of God that he was all about.

“You first.” “You Go ahead.” “After you.” “I’ll wait.” “You take it.”

A true the transformation of the heart changes our place in line. Calling ourselves Christian changes:

What we believe;

How we live;

How we act;

How we drive even.

The doors we hold or don’t for someone else!

Followers of Jesus, well… they follow.

They embrace, and they are the brake tappers.

We follow “the last will be first” and “the leader as the one who serves” way of life.

Mark writes, “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

And then too often…

We like to take this next part (Jesus takes the little one on his knee) as if it’s an entirely new periscope (a whole new section) – but it’s not.

The little one and “the last” are one and the same.

It’s not a separate story at all, it’s all connected.

It’s all one story.

Mark continues on saying, “He (Jesus) took a little child whom he placed among them. And then taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not just welcome me but also the one who sent me.”

Now today this is (or at least it appears) easy to swallow.

Of course, Jesus would do this.

In fact, we love this Jesus.

We love the Jesus meek and mild – that welcomes children.

This fits in nicely with everything contemporary culture pretends to know of Jesus.

But the problem is simple: For the original audience this was shocking.

See – questions of rank and priority were not uncommon in the Mediterranean world, including within ancient Judea.

The idea that the disciples would debate their own rank and wonder who would be “first” would have been seen as completely normal.

Why wouldn’t they?

One’s rank determined what order in line people followed their teachers,

Who sat were for meals,
Who ate when,
Who cleaned up,
Who had the right to respond to questions in the Master’s name,
What level of authority someone had.

It was everything.

And although the disciples don’t want to admit to Jesus that they had been debating their rank – the fact that they talked about it wasn’t rude, it would have been common.

But then Jesus shocks them. And he tells them that if they want to be first then they need to be last.

But more than that, they need to be a (quote) “servant” “to all” someone not just with a low rank but “to all” meaning no rank at all. LAST PLACE.

Now on top of this the, this text is written in Greek, and what it says in its original text is the word doulos.

Doulos is a word sometimes softened by the English biblical translators to use the word “servant” but which really means “slave”. He says, if you want to be first, be a slave.

And then to make matters worse yet Jesus takes a little child in his arms (something Jewish men did not do in public) and says that the First should be like one of these.

ow, what you’ve got to understand here is that Greek children had even less rank in the ancient word that we could ever understand.

Greek Children didn’t even speak to adults in public or in front of visitors. Listening to “children’s talk” was thought to be a waste of time.

But I’d just like to point out that Jesus wouldn’t have been speaking Greek with the disciples – or to a Greek audience.

Mark has Jesus speaking in Greek because he wrote this book a decade after he had died and resurrected. Mark’s audience was written to some 40 years later. And they speak Greek.

But originally… Jesus would have been speaking Aramaic to the Aramaic speaking disciples. If that is true (and it almost certainly is) then the word Jesus would have used for this child is different from Mark’s translation. Jesus would have used the word Talya which holds a whole different connotation to it. See Talya does mean child, so Mark fairly records this but most accurately (when looking at the Hebrew background and Aramaic regularly spoken, this word meant… slave… “salve child”.

That is who Jesus sets before the disciples – not just a servant, not just a slave, not just a child, but all of the above – a slave child.

He props before them, the person, the only person, probably in the room to pick up the scraps from the table (scraps that would have been the child’s payment for service – that and a space on the floor to sleep on).

Think for a second about how offensive this would have been at the time. I wonder if the master of the house would have been around to hear this?

What would this look like today?

If you’ll indulge me for a moment: Please close your eyes. Now I want you to picture in your head the kind of person you think of as being the lowest rank on the totem pole in society today?

Maybe it’s someone confined to a bed,
Maybe someone with a contagious disease,
Maybe a person or a particular ethic background whose looked down on,
Maybe it is someone whose life depends wholly on others,
Maybe someone that is a refugee,
Maybe a baby
Someone who is a sex worker,
… an unhoused, drug addicted person; using the change you gave her for what’s in that needle that sticking out of her arm right now,
Maybe a person with a severe deformity,
Or a prisoner in for violent offences

Who is the lowest of the low?

Picture that face, those clothes. … Can you see that person.

Now imagine Jesus takes that person in his arms and looks directly at you and says, “Whoever welcomes one of these in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not just welcome me but also the Father who sent me.”

Treat this person like you would treat the creator of the universe.

(Feel free to open your eyes).

Imagine what would happen if the people of God became known as the “brake tappers”, the gift givers, the gracious ones, the servants of the lowly. Project what the world would think if we were the ones that truly made room for others.

Just think what it would mean if we intentionally made eye contact with people outside our churches, outside our social circles, outside the social norms… so that we could deliver mercy and grace.

Imagine… if we… slowed down… took our busy lives less seriously… and gave our precious time… to others… and became the slaves of the people we just pictured… for the sake of the gospel.

Jesus says that… that is what being in “first place” looks like. That is the true badge of honor, the servant role, the brake tapper.

Jesus had a description for this kind of selfless, sacrificial and generous living – He called it (in Mark 14:6) “a very beautiful thing”.

Even Jesus, especially Jesus, made room for line cutting, me first, don’t cut me off kinds of people (jerks even). He did it all the time.

He let the second-class citizens in line before him,

… he tapped the brakes for the different and the rejected,

and he let people in line that didn’t deserve to be

for the simple reason that – they didn’t belong.

The perfect God of the universe and creator of all things came down to earth and instead of praise he served.

He did it for me… and for all of us.

Wouldn’t He love it,

if I…
if we…
tried to do the same?

So why don’t we try this week. Let’s tap the brakes. Let’s serve. Amen.

Song: The clay-stained hands of love (296)

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
The Letter of James invites us to show gentleness born of God’s wisdom through our good works. The gifts we offer to God support many good works through our congregation and the work Presbyterians undertake together around the world. May they bear much fruit in Jesus’ name.

Wise and faithful God, we offer our gifts to you in thanksgiving for your gifts to us in Christ and in creation. Bless these gifts and the good works they will support, so that the world may know your wisdom and faithfulness through Christ, our Lord.

God of all people and places, we come to you in prayer, giving thanks that you are with us in all situations.

You bring us strength and courage when we are anxious or afraid.
You provide wisdom and direction when we face choices and challenges.
Thank you for your faithfulness to us.

In our prayers, enlarge our love and sharpen our vision so that we may serve the world you love more faithfully.

We pray for those who dwell on the margins of the economy, facing the challenges of unemployment, financial insecurity and rising costs.

Give leaders in government, business and labour a mutual vision that reflects the values of your kingdom, so that everyone has enough resources and respect to live well and wisely.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those facing famine and drought this year, and for those who have lost everything through fire, storm or conflict.

Bring support to those people and agencies who work to alleviate suffering and help them rebuild lives and communities.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks for those who work for peace and mercy in a world divided by bitter conflicts, and for those who keep peace and lead negotiations in international disputes. Give them wisdom and perseverance.

We remember those who face violence, persecution, or discrimination daily. Send your Spirit to protect the vulnerable and shame the vicious so that justice and wellbeing will prevail.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for teachers, students, educational administrators and support staff as another school year begins.

Thank you for the gifts of education, for deepening insight into this ever-changing world and the ability to distinguish truth from error.

Grant all those in education this year mutual respect and commitment to the shared venture of learning.

Help each of us bring the benefits of our education to our life of faith and give us all a teachable spirit.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

We pray for all those struggling with pain or illness, disability or daunting diagnosis.

Stay by their side.
Be with those who face death this day, and those who weep for loved ones who have died.
Unite us in love, whatever we are facing, and grant us the peace and hope you have promised us in Christ Jesus.

Song: Christ, you call us all to service (585)

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Book of James instructs God’s beloved: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.”

Go with these words on your hearts.

And may the God of wisdom guide you;
The Christ of mercy walk beside you;
And the Spirit of hope inspire you each and every day,
Now and always. Amen.

Response: The Blessing

Music postlude

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

A bird in the hand

Posted on September 15, 2024September 15, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 15 September 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Rom Rhoad
Elder: Shirley Simpson

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
A Time of Sharing Gratitude by Peter and Darlene
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: Come, people of God, worship the One who listens to our prayers.
P: We will worship the One who hears us.
L: Come, people of God, worship the One who watches over us.
P: We will worship the One who cares deeply for us all.
L: Come, people of God, worship the One who offered his life for us.
P: We will offer thanks and praise to the One who gives us life.

Opening praise: Come, now is the time to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

God ever creating, God ever leading, God ever wise: We come seeking to connect with something beyond ourselves. We come from north, south, east, and west and come to you in various stages of life.

But we come believing that we can hear Your word and that Your word is truth when circumstances are twisted.

Your way is freedom when we are lost.

Your calling gives us direction and provides us with a way of life.

We come to say that Your cross shows us the limitlessness of your grace and the span of your love.

And so, for you have been for us in the past and who you will be for us in the days ahead and for the callings you have placed on our lives, we worship you this day.

But we don’t worship with all we do, Lord.

We have sinned with our thoughts, In our words, with our actions by what we need to say or do.

We have not loved you with our whole hearts; we have not fulfilled all of our responsibilities; we have spoken harshly and unkindly.

We have been too quick to judge, angry, and impatient.

We have rejected your ways and calling because we don’t want to give up control.

We want to control every aspect of our lives and bow to no one. In short, we want to be our gods.

But it cannot be. We make too many mistakes to be gods.

And so we bow a knee, call you Lord of our lives, and say we will follow your paths for us.

For mistakes, errors, and sins of the past, God, Have mercy upon us and forgive us so that we may begin again to walk in your ways, free from any guilt and ready to do better. Amen

Response: Glory, glory, Hallelujah

Assurance of God’s love
God’s grace is without end or limit;
Know that you are forgiven and loved by God;
love and forgive one another and rise up now to follow Christ. Amen

Music Offering: O God of love (Singers)

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story

Children’s time started with an object lesson. Brad had two of the children empty a can of shaving soap into a box – then had two other children try to put the shaving cream back in the bottle. Of course they couldn’t.

Then Brad told the following story: “When I was 16 years old my older brother was maybe not the nicest older brother. He did pick on me a lot, but one day, in particular, I told him: ‘I can’t wait until you graduate and move away, because I won’t have to see you anymore.’

“And I would say, 25 years later, that is still remembered. Something that I couldn’t put back.

“Some things you say are just too strong and too powerful to go back in the bottle where they came from.

“I’m gonna tell you this verse from the Book of James that we’ve been reading here on Sunday mornings lately.

“This verse says how a great forest can be set afire by a small spark, and the tongue is just like fire.

“The tongue is placed among the members of the world, but it strains the whole body and sets the whole thing on fire.

“Every species of beast and bird and reptile and sea creature can be tamed in some way, but not the human tongue – which is ‘restless and deadly.’

“With it we bless the Lord and our Father, and with it we curse the people made in His likeness.

“James is pretty powerful on the fact that your tongue sets a fire, and you say things you can’t take back.

“So the lesson today is: Just remember: Some things said are pretty much permanent.

“Let’s take a moment and let’s pray.

“This is a repeat after me, prayer…”

Prayer

“Our God, “Help us, in the coming weeks” to control our tongue.

“To use it “For kindness.”

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: I sing the almighty power of God (333)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Psalm 115:1-9; James 3:1-12;; Mark 8:27-38

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: A bird in the hand

An ancient story from India says a young man once wanted to challenge the most respected wise man in his village. The older man was said to be exceedingly wise. But the young man was confident his wisdom exceeded that of this frail older adult. And so the boy devised a scheme. He went out looking for a bird’s nest, and when he found it, he took it home and nurtured the eggs until they hatched. He fed the three tiny birds and cared for them for a few days. Then he went to the town market and announced that he was, in fact, the wisest man in town. Then he asked everyone to follow him to the older man’s home. Carrying the smallest of the three birds, hidden and cupped between his hands, the young man went to the wise man’s house with a crowd of followers to prove the Wiseman a fool.

As he approached the older gentleman with his hands behind his back, he said, “Here is a riddle for you, old man,” “I have in my hands a bird. Is it alive? Or is it dead?” Of course, the boy thought there was no way the old man could win. And there wasn’t. If the older man said no bird, he would reveal it. If the old man guessed “dead,” the boy would open his hands and reveal the living bird. And if the old man guessed “alive,” the young man would crush the bird in his hands with the tiniest amount of pressure. When he opened them … there would be a dead bird inside. The older adult would lose no matter what he said, and the boy would prove that Wiseman was not wise.

With that, the Wiseman looked the young man over; he tilted his head, shuffled his feet in the dust and looked lovingly into the boy’s eyes with a face of sadness. And then he responded, “The answer, my child, is in your hands.”

Caesarea Philippi, situated 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and at the base of Mt. Hermon, is the largest spring feeding the Jordan River. It was and is lush with greenery. This location, rich in history and religious significance, provided the perfect backdrop for the unfolding events.

Jesus, walking ahead of His disciples, was silhouetted against the city of Caesarea Philippi in all its Roman glory. Rising out of its center was a translucent temple of white marble built by Herod the Great in honour of the Caesars (a man known by the title Lord and Savior). This city, with its grandeur and history of worship, provided a significant backdrop for what was about to unfold.

The power of Rome was in the air, but so were the hauntingly vivid memories of ancient worship. The area and the road we are told that Jesus travelled north along was cluttered with the shines of Baal used for orgy worship. They were everywhere. And, of course, the half-goat/half-man god Pan of the Greeks (for which the city had previously been named Pania) also had his temple there. On the slope of Hermon, a cliff filled with ancient inscriptions and niches containing statues of countless pagan gods sat, and the famous’ Gates of Hades’, a site associated with pagan worship and sacrifice, at the beautiful grotto mouth sat there as well. It was a city littered with saviours.

And this is where it all happened.

Mark 8:27–33 serves as the turning point in the Markan Gospel. Mark designed his book with an obvious point built right into the center. His entire letter is built upon a chiastic poem structure that puts mirroring stories at opposite ends of the book, with each tale slowly moving towards the central point of the whole work. The second section says that the heavens split and words were proclaimed, and in the second story to the end, it says that the excellent temple veil was split and words are proclaimed. Do any of you keeners out there happen to know the opening line of Mark’s Gospel from Mark 1:1? It says, “This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Messiah, the son of God.” Near the end, when Jesus dies, a man proclaims, “Truly this was God’s son.” Right smack at the center of Mark’s book, it has Jesus standing at the pagan center with alters, shrines, and temples to various gods and kings -asking a fascinating question… who do the people say I am? Followed by Peter’s confession in chapter 8:29 that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God.

At this point, Jesus had just left Bethsaida, and probably a few hundred to a thousand people were following along the way, especially as caravans were making their way to the festival in Jerusalem. The broader group of 77 disciples is undoubtedly there, but Jesus’s teaching is generally reserved for the inner 12 in Mark’s memory. In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus does something odd, though much of what he does is weird. But here, instead of letting the Talmadim (the students) beg questions from the master as was the custom, Jesus sits down as teachers did to teach and asks them a question instead, “Who do the people say I am?” he says, inviting them to reflect on their understanding of his identity.

“John the Baptist,” one says. Others no doubt rummage around for what they have heard – “Elijah” is another example. “One of the prophets” comes up from another disciple. They pull the names out of the air like interesting little stones they have found on the beach and hand them over to Jesus for appraisal. However, no excellent skill is involved in repeating what you have heard when reporting what others have said they believe. But in the end, they are all just other people’s answers. This is just a consultation among friends, a staff meeting to decide how Jesus’ ministry was going, right?

The answers are not very surprising. Even Herod Antipas, when he first heard reports about this Jesus of Nazareth, speculated with fear, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” Interestingly, Josephus, the 1st-century historian (and decidedly non-Jesus follower), also records these exact words of Herod’s. Elijah’s not a bad guess either, as by this time, most of the Jewish tradition taught that a messiah would be preceded by the return of the prophet Elijah or at least an Elijah-like figure. In popular lore, Elijah was considered a part of a tremendous eschatological drama in the “last days.”

The famous Dead Sea Scrolls are packed with these speculations about Elijah and other prophets and predecessors.

No doubt, Jesus is not surprised by these answers. But it’s not exactly what he was looking for, either.

You can almost see the expectation on the disciples’ faces as they turn over the tidbits they have heard. So which is it, Lord? What is the correct answer? A? B? C? Who’s right? But Jesus does not give them his answer. He wants their answers; again, you can almost see their faces when he turns the question back on them. “But who do you say that I am? Here, he asks them, his nearest and dearest, the ones who have received the best he has to offer, the ones who spend time with him, those who know him, who are his own. But who do you say I am? What is it that you believe?

As I’ve often said, it’s too bad that the Bible hasn’t come down to us like a musical score with all the pauses written in or the script of a play that tells us what happens while something is being said. It would be helpful to have the stage directions, like Center stage; as soon as Jesus asks the question, the disciples all look away from him while some of them study the backs of their hands and others move little piles of dirt around with their feet. The original Koine Greek gospels don’t even have punctuation to help us.

When I picture this scene, I see them all so proud as they offer up what the crowd thinks. But when they have to answer for themselves, I see their eyes widen like deer in the headlights. And I don’t picture a Jesus meek and mild, either. I hear: (with force) But who do you say I am? Or perhaps disappointment: (sad) But who do you think I am?

Do you think they answered right away? In Mark’s writing, there is no way to tell. But I feel like a great black cloud of awkward silence fell over them.

Who knows how long that odd cricket-chirping moment would have lasted? That is before Peter breaks in with his answer?… “You are the Messiah” (which I would bet he shouted). [1]

Thank goodness for Peter, right? Right or wrong, that guy is always the first one out of the gate. [2] He was the first to drop his net, the first out of the boat at sea, the first one inside the tomb, and the first to give his answer. Always first. Always. Sometimes, it is hard to say whether he is courageous or just plain reckless, but in any case, his answer is the one Jesus sought.

When Clive Lewis was lecturing at Oxford University, he noted this story and addressed it in a way that has since become quite famous and is generally called the Trilema.

He said, “I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God, messiah or Savoir. That is the one thing people must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. It would be best if you made your choice. This man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon, or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. … Now it seems apparent that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend, and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have come to accept the view that He was and is God.

Like Peter on the road before Jesus, Lewis asked himself if the Jesus he knew was just a prophet teaching good things and pointing to someone else. Like Peter Lewis, he came to the personal conclusion that it was not an option for him.

Now, if I’m being intellectually honest, I’d have to say that Lewis’ Trilima is not without its holes. Still, his central point holds. Jesus asked the disciples who other people thought he was and asked them the same question. And through Mark, he asks us.

And just like the pivotal movement in the Book of Mark on which all the rest sit, the same questions sit at pivotal movements in history and our lives. It is that same question that, too, to a large degree, defines who we are and what path of faith we will follow.

You may conclude that he is a Great moral teacher or a prophet. You may conclude any manner of things. That is the freedom we have. After all, in the end, this one thing is very true – Like with the disciples, it is simply not enough to know what others think or how they feel; you must know, understand, and accept for yourself what you believe.

The question is: Who do you say Jesus is?

But for my part, I’ll leave this with you. We all have to answer that question for ourselves. The answer to that question… is in your hands.

Song: Teach me, God to wonder (704)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Prayers of the People

God of life and freedom.

When Abraham’s family wandered, when Moses took refuge in the desert, when the Hebrew people fled into the wilderness, when the Israelites lived in exile, you called them, and gave them words of comfort and promises of hope.

In Christ, you crossed the border.

You put on frail flesh, were born and lived your life constantly on the move in a dangerous world.

From your first night, you slept in a bed; it was in a place that was not your own.

You and your family fled terror and found refuge in foreign lands.

You were always the guest in the homes and tables of strangers.

You were not always sure of your next meal.

This day we remember before you those whose lives are more like yours than we can imagine or care to acknowledge: those who are without homes,who have been uprooted from their communities and countries, who have had to flee for their lives, who have left families and friends behind, who live precarious lives.

We pray for your protection and care for those who suffer and must take refuge because of war, politics, natural disaster, status, race, gender, faith and all manner of alienation.

We mourn, we are moved, and we are angered by the loss that marks the lives of so many: the loss of dignity, respect, security, community, family, and simple stability.

You have called us to be citizens of your kingdom – a land with no borders.

We pray also for the people of this country and of the church, that we may not be indifferent or naïve, afraid or overwhelmed, discouraged or blind to hope and options to help, or silent in the call for justice.

God open our hearts and our doors to the stranger, to the widow and the orphan and all that are dear to you, to your presence that we may encounter in the foreigner and strengthen us to witness the love of God for all people.

Lord, where you lead – we will follow. Amen

Song: Be thou my vision (461:vss 1,2,4,5)

Sending out with God’s blessing

“Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.”

Go with these words in your hearts,

and may the God of wisdom guide you;

the Christ of mercy walk beside you;

and the Spirit of hope inspire you each day,

now and always. Amen.

Response: God to enfold you

Music postlude

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[1] He responds in Aramaic you are the “Messiah” – chosen one which is the same as the Greek word Christos (Christ). Christos in Greek took on a more political slant and it’s worthy of note that Jesus himself generally does not use the term outside of Matthew’s memory.

[2] Peter of course is not really his name. His name is actually Simon Bar-Jona. Here Jesus especially nicknames him Peter (see Matthew’s version); the word for Rock or more accurately the word for a small rock or a piece of rock broken off of a large rock.

Nobody owns him

Posted on September 8, 2024September 8, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 08 September 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Linda F-B
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: Put your confidence in God.
P: We have God as our helper and so we rejoice.
L: God gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.
P: God frees the prisoners and opens the eyes of the blind.
L: So put your trust in God’s goodness.
P: May God’s goodness endure forever! Let us worship God.

Opening praise: Everlasting God

Prayers of approach and confession

Eternal God, You are our beginning and our end.

You gave breath to all living things.

By your Spirit, you come among us this day, breathing new life into our familiar patterns, as the gift you offer us through Christ Jesus.

By your grace, you open new possibilities for the world you love.

So we offer you our lives in worship and in service, joining our voices with all your creatures, to offer you honour and blessing, glory and gratitude, now and always.

God of mercy, you keep an eye out for those who dwell on the margins of life.

We confess we fail to keep our eyes open for those on the margins.

We have been silent when we should have spoken up in the face of injustice.

Our generosity to others does not match what you offer us.

Forgive us for thinking of ourselves first.

Renew our commitment to show others the kindness we meet in Jesus Christ.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord

Assurance of God’s love

Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn us? Only Christ – and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us; Christ reigns in power for us; Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. So be renewed to live according to God’s generous grace.

Musical offering: Sung in Persian by Arghavan Ebrahimi, John and Sam Nejabatian, and accompanied by Binu
Beloved (translation)
Let me enter the holy court,
Through the blood of Jesus
Only for your worship, for the
Honor and praise of God
O my God, my beloved
Your name is holy, holy

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus, we are gathered (514)

Story

Theme:	Showing partiality is a sin. – Proper 18 (23) Yr.B 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Object:	A large box of crayons (a shoe box, for example)
Scripture:	My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism…. If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:1, 8-9 (NIV)

It’s back to school time again. It is such an exciting time of year. You will be meeting new kids and learning a lot of new things. Are you ready? Do you have all of the school supplies you need? One thing that many of you will need is a box of crayons. I brought my big box of crayons with me this morning.

Look at all of my crayons. I have a lot of them, and they are all different sizes and colors. Some are sharp and some of them are a little dull. Some have strange-sounding names. Some of my crayons are brand new and some have been around for quite a while. The wrappers on some of them are fresh and clean while some of the wrappers are torn and dirty.

You and I could learn a lot from these crayons. Even though they have a lot of differences, they all fit very nicely in the same box. That is a good picture of the way the church should be. The people that make up the church come in all sizes and colours, and some may have strange-sounding names. Some are old and some are young. Some are pretty sharp, some very kind, some fun some clever. Some are dressed in very nice clothes while others may wear clothing that is a little old or soiled and worn.

James, the brother of Jesus, wrote in the Bible that the followers of Jesus should not show favoritism. He said, “My friends, if you have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. Suppose a rich person wearing fancy clothes and a gold ring comes to one of your meetings. And suppose a poor person dressed in worn-out clothes also comes. You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. That is the same as saying that some people are better than others. If you treat some people better than others, you have done wrong, and the Scriptures teach that you have sinned.”

We must be careful not to show favouritism in our church. We are all God’s children whether we are comfortable, rich, poor, white, brown, whatever. As James said, “You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves.”

Prayer: Father, help us to love one another as you have loved us — regardless of the color of our skin or whether we are rich or poor. In Jesus’ name we pray, as Jesus taught us to pray saying, Our Father…

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (321)

Today’s Message

Scripture readings: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23; James 2:1-10, 14-17;

and Mark 7:24-37

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Nobody owns him

The story is about an old shopkeeper who opened a small candy store in a small town. In truth, spending time with his grandchildren was as much a gimmick as it was a monetary enterprise. But the store needed to be completed. The shopkeeper was Iranian and was afraid that the people in his new small-town community would make inaccurate assumptions about his religious faith. He wanted the community to know that a Christian man owned the shop. So he went to a Christian bookstore and bought just the right decoration. With great pride, on his first day open, the man placed a small wooden statue of Jesus on the counter next to the till. The man went about his day making children from all over the community happy and sticky with sugar and temporary energy. But at the end of the day, the man noticed his statue was missing. It must have fallen somewhere, he told himself. After closing, he returned to the Christian bookstore and bought a second and much more giant Jesus statue this time. Again, his store was filled with family, friends, and neighbourhood kids; at the end of the day, his statue was missing. So the man returned to the Christian bookstore again and bought a three-foot-tall Jesus statue made of pure concrete.

In today’s reading, Mark writes, ³¹Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.^[^c^]Now, everything else we read in this story is predicated on that strange sentence filled with near-eastern geography that means little to nothing for most present-day Christians. Since we live 2000 years later in the Canadian prairies, it is hard to know why Mark thought that little detail even mattered. But the truth is, Mark’s whole story is based on this odd little geography lesson. But… we’ll get back to that.

In verse 32, Mark continues, “There some people brought to him [Jesus] a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man.”

It’s an interesting verse. Some translators have rendered the word mo-ga-la-los as “dumb” and others more sensitively as “mute.” But the word mo-ga-la-los only appears once in the entire New Testament. And here, it probably doesn’t mean “mute.” See, they had a word for “mute”. It was Ko-phos (which appears 14 times in the New Testament), meaning that a person is entirely unable to speak. But here, the word is mo-ga-la-los. It means mumbly. In other words, the man is not totally mute. Instead, the man most likely had a severe speech impediment because he had learned to speak by mimicking people’s mouths without actually hearing others’ words. It’s not that he’s incapable of saying it; it’s just that he doesn’t know how to make the sounds.

There’s something else that’s a little odd here. Notice that no names are given. The man brought for healing has no name, and Mark doesn’t even say who brought him (they don’t have names either. Mark says, “Some people” brought the man to Jesus. It sort of like – he’s saying – this could be anybody.

Next, he writes, “³³After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. ³⁴He looked up to heaven and, with a deep sigh (or groan), said to him, “Eph-pha-tha!” (which means, “Be opened!”). ³⁵At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he began to speak plainly.”

It’s interesting. Most of the healing narratives emphasize Jesus’ words. In some cases, Jesus heals people who aren’t even present. He just declares them healed. Even here, though Jesus touches the man twice, the actual healing takes place not because of his actions but when Jesus speaks, “Be opened.” For me, that begs a lot of questions. Did Jesus really need to do any of this other stuff, and if not… why did he do it?

Think about that for a second. It’s a bizarre scene! Jesus takes this guy aside and sticks his fingers in the guy’s ears. Then he spits on his fingers, puts his hands in the man’s mouth, and touches the guy’s tongue. I don’t know about you, but… Yuk! Do you have any idea how dirty people’s hands were back then? Let’s face it: this is just gross.

Now it begs, saying that this isn’t the only time Jesus does something like this. In Mark 8:22-26, Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud paste out of it, and then puts it on a blind man’s eyes to heal him. So it’s not the only time he does this… But it’s still really odd.

Next, Jesus looks up to the sky and groans. And then there is this strange word he speaks. There is no question for a Greek-speaking deaf man that the Aramaic command Eph-pha-tha would be unintelligible. And for a man who had probably survived by learning words by reading lips, this would look like crazy babble.

Can you imagine taking your friend to the doctor and having the doctor do this? He takes your friend aside, gives him a wet-willy, spits on his tongue depressor before checking his tonsils, looks up, makes a weird groaning noise, and then babbles some words in another language.

It’s just so foreign to what we might expect. And, why spit? I don’t care how many ways you slice it; today, spitting on someone is always an insult. And it was in Jesus’ day, too. Anyone under the law who was spit upon was considered unclean. Leviticus 15:8 says, “If the man spits on you, you must wash your clothes and bathe yourself in water, and yet you will remain unclean until the evening.” Other scriptures deal with the insult of being spit upon as well. Numbers 12:14 says that if your father spits in your face as punishment, you must live outside the community for seven days. Even Jesus was spit upon as a great insult before He was crucified (Matthew 27:30). So the question must be asked: why would Jesus use spit if it was considered insulting?

Some say that Jesus may have done this to show the crowd around that being deaf doesn’t make someone “unclean,” and so he touched him. But the truth is Jesus takes the man aside, away from the crowd. Plus, that doesn’t explain away the insult of using spit.

But notice where the spit lands. Depending on how the verse is translated, the spit touches only the man’s tongue or the insides of his ears and tongue. It’s almost like Jesus is using the spit specifically because it is insulting, not because it’s insulting to the man, but because it’s insulting to the disease itself. It’s like he’s spitting on the illness.

In any case, “His ears,” literally, his “hearings” (ἀκοαί; cf. τὰ ὡτα, 7:33) were “opened” (ἡνοίγησαν) and “he began speaking properly.” (ἐλάλειὀρθῶς ).

He’s healed. And that’s the point of the story. Jesus is the of God, so he can do extraordinary things. That’s what this story is about… Right? Mark tells this story as we heard it today. But Matthew tells the same story.

Well, maybe. When Matthew tells this story, he proclaims Christ the Messiah of the Jews. He says, “Wow, this is proof!” This Joshua guy (YeShuAh or Iousus/Jesus in Greek) does everything we expected, just differently. BUT Mark doesn’t do that. In fact, Mark isn’t explaining how Jesus fits any particular picture, Hebrew or otherwise. Still, why does Mark even need to explain what Eph-pha-tha means anyway? The text reads with a deep sigh [Jesus] said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”) And this isn’t something the translators did for us. This is something Mark did for Mark’s first-century audience. Why???

Why does Mark refuse to translate certain words?

… It’s simple.

Mark has to translate this word because Mark’s readers don’t understand the Aramaic language Jesus was speaking. Because – Mark’s readers aren’t Jewish, and so, like 90% of the known world at the time, they also won’t understand. But there is something to this word that doesn’t quite fit right in Greek.

See, in Mark, there are all these stories about Jesus’ healing people. He gives sight to blind people and makes people who are deaf (or, more likely, as this is the case, hard of hearing) hear over and over again. And for four chapters, Jesus keeps doing these types of miracles (sight to the bind, people who are deaf, hear). Finally, the story of the fish and loaves and the disciples still don’t understand who Jesus is. – Just after Jesus has given eyes that see and ears that hear to outsider after stranger after stranger after non-Jew after marginalized person… Jesus says this to his followers, the people who have been with him day in and day out… “¹⁸YOU have eyes but fail to see, and you have ears but fail to hear?” (Mark 8:18). They’ve been around the blind and deaf every day and now Jesus says, “You are the real blind people”. Ouch. It isn’t very kind. It’s ironic. And it’s intentionally so.

A little boy was taken by his father to an evening church service where the film Martyrs of the Faith was showing. It was a graphic presentation of Christian persecution where Christians were being thrown to the lions. At the same time, the gleeful Romans cheered, and the helpless believers were torn apart one after the other. What made this scene particularly moving was that, instead of fighting off the lions or running from them, the Christians knelt in prayer and lifted their hands to heaven as they submitted to the terrible deaths.

The little boy, seated next to his father, began to cry uncontrollably. The father was very moved by this, believing in the willingness of the Christians Martyrs to suffer just as Christ. “Why are you crying? The father asked in anticipation of the boy’s faithful response. “Because,” said the boy, “that little baby lion didn’t get anything to eat!” (Stories That Feed the Soul pg. 197)

Sometimes, it’s easy to miss the point. Now, I don’t want anyone to assume that you need some exceptional degree to understand the Bible; that’s simply not true. And you are not likely to hear very much from me, that you couldn’t eventually discover from the liner notes and a few old dusty commentaries. For 95% of the bible, I say, “If the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense.” Don’t overcomplicate it unless something is very odd!

That said, certain things often confuse modern readers. They are not on every page, but yes, they exist.

At the beginning of this message, I said that this whole story is predicated on Mark’s odd geography lesson. This entire section of scripture in Mark, all the way up until the feeding of the 5000, is based on the idea that Jesus is heading for Decapolis.

Although this is one of those things that are lost in translation, the locations Mark lists in the first verse are wild. The route is crazy. He goes on a huge detour. He starts in Tyre, then goes north through Sidon, then south down to the Decapolis, and then East over to the Sea of Galilee. He goes north, then South so that he can get East.

It’s a little like Mark is saying, “Then Jesus left Saskatoon on his way to Edmonton, so he went over to Winnipeg and down to Regina, and to Slave Lake to get there.”

It’s nuts. Who was organizing Jesus’ travel plans – West Jet?

Let’s not forget, he’s walking… walking nearly 60 kilometers… out of his way. This first sentence tells us all we need to know about the point Mark is making when he tells us this miracle story. Mark makes a huge point of Jesus walking through specifically gentile (non-Jewish) lands. All over the place… healing the blind and healing the deaf… and then at the end, Jesus looks at the Jews (his people, and not just any Jews – his 12 chosen Jews and says, “You have eyes but can’t see, and you have ears but don’t hear.”

Why does he say that? – Because of you… non-Jews. Mark wrote this book just for you. When Matthew tells this story to his Jewish audience, they find the whole idea insulting. They owned Jesus! Jesus was the Jewish Messiah who came to the Jews. But when Mark tells it… Jesus is just the Messiah. And that’s it. He came as Savoir for Jews and non-Jews alike. He came travelling through foreign lands of gentile people, crowds followed him, and he couldn’t escape them. Their faith was everywhere. For Mark, the whole point of this miracle story is that everything about it is odd and foreign. And he pounds that point home.

The shopkeeper had just purchased a three-foot concrete statue of Jesus at the Candy shop. The next day, to his surprise, the man discovered his four-year-old granddaughter Genevieve pulling with all of her might, trying unsuccessfully to carry the statue out the front door. “What are you doing, honey?” he said. “I want a Mr. Jesus in my brother’s room, too,” the litter girl said. Happy to have solved the mystery, the shopkeeper sat little Genevieve down for an important lesson. “Honey,” he said, “you took my Jesus?”. “Yes, papa,” she said as if it were nothing at all. “Honey, I bought that. You stole Jesus from me. Do you know what stealing means? See, I own that Jesus and”. Just then, the tiny girl interrupted with perhaps the wisest words ever spoken… “Papa, you’re silly,” she said, “Nobody owns Jesus.”

Mark uses this miracle because he wants us to know that Jesus came for us (the people who expected him) and for us, the people out there who didn’t and have no idea who he is. That no matter how much we want him to, God doesn’t fit into our boxes. For Mark, Jesus isn’t just the Jewish Messiah or the Christian Christ, but the savior of the world. He travels where he wants to travel, and he blesses whoever he wants to bless. He goes to where the infidels and enemies live. He comes to you.

When Mark writes that Jesus “left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and then into the region of the Decapolis,” What he means is that nobody owns Jesus.

May we know the healing touch of eyes that see and ears that hear.

May we carry countless unnamed and unknown people to Christ for healing.

May we know Christ, the savior of the world.

May we know that God does not fit into the boxes we try to place him in?

And so may we share the Love of Christ with all we meet, knowing that Nobody owns Jesus. -Amen

Song: Blest are they (624: vss 1-4)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

O God in whom we live and move and have our being:

We come to you in prayer as the summer season draws nearer to its close:

We give you thanks for the occasions we have enjoyed to catch up with family and friends; to travel for recreation and restoration and let our worries go.

We are grateful for each moment to savour the beauty of creation.

Refresh us for the season ahead we pray, and renew our commitment to serve you.

O God, Jesus faced many demands wherever he went, and pressure from critics, whatever he did.

We pray for all those who have not found rest this summer: for those whose work is stressful, exhausting or unappreciated; and for those whose livelihoods remain uncertain because of circumstances beyond their control.

We pray for those with hard choices to make, about work or school or what comes next, about relationships and priorities, or about social policy and community leadership.

Silence for 20 seconds.

May each one know your strength and guidance day by day.

Today we remember those for whom this summer has been touched by suffering:

We pray for those who have lost loved ones, and those facing an uncertain future or a difficult diagnosis.

We pray for those who have lost their homes, for whatever reason, and for those who despair about the climate crisis and what can be done to repair the suffering earth.

Silence for 20 seconds

We pray for all those who join efforts to relieve suffering of any kind.

May each one find courage to face tomorrow in your company.

O God, we need the embrace of your presence, each in our own way.

As we prepare to leave this service, walk with us, and show us how to live each day as those who follow Jesus. Amen.

Song: When the poor ones (762)

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Book of James challenges God’s beloved: “You do well if you really fulfil God’s royal law: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ For faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

Go with these words on your hearts,
And may the God of wisdom guide you;
The Christ of mercy walk beside you;
And the Spirit of hope inspire you each and every day, now and always. Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

Tongues afire

Posted on September 1, 2024September 1, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
01 September 2024 10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan
Elder: Rom Rhoad

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: Holy God, you call us to worship.
P: In your presence, we seek truth and forgiveness.
L: Holy God, you call us to worship you.
P: In your presence, we seek the grace to forgive one another.
L: Holy God, you call us to worship you, heart, body, mind and soul.
P: So we gather to offer you our prayer and praise with joyful thanks.

Opening praise: This is amazing grace

Prayers of approach and confession

O holy and merciful God, You are God and we are not.
Your ways are higher than our ways.

Help us to know you.
Lord we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to be an obedient church.
We have not done your will.
We have been unwilling to listen, eager to speak, and easily angered,
We have broken your law.
We have rebelled against your love.
We have not loved our neighbours and we have the most vulnerable people in this world in their distress.
Thus, we have been stained by the world, and we find ourselves distant from you.
Forgive us we pray.
Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

We know there is no limit to God’s love and grace and forgiveness in Christ Jesus. The challenge is not for us to find forgiveness. The challenge is for us to live as the forgiven people we are, to claim this truth and live it out in the world. Let us go forth, sharing the spirit of forgiveness and embracing the outcast, knowing that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. Amen and Amen.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: To show by touch and word (763)

Scripture readings (NRSV): James 1: 17-27 and Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, & 21-23

Response: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God

Message: Tongues afire
The two thousand-member Baptist church was filled to overflowing capacity one Sunday morning. The pastor was ready to start the sermon when two men, dressed in long black coats and black hats entered thru the rear of the church.

One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other stayed at the back. Everyone knew that something wasn’t quite right. Then both men reached under their coats and withdrew large automatic weapons.

The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus just stay in your seats!”

Naturally, chaos ensued. The pews emptied. The people feared for their lives. The congregation, the choir and 7 all 7 assistant pastors went running. After a few moments the gunmen looked around and found about twenty people left sitting in the church. The lead pastor was still holding steady in the pulpit.

Then the men put their weapons down. “All right” one said, “Now that it’s just us Christians here Padre, feel free to start the service.”

James is the brother of Jesus. In the book of Acts James is called James the Just. He was the head of the council in Rome and had the final say on matters when the disciples disagreed with one another. In Galatians 2 Paul and Peter have an argument and as a result go to James to decide between them. So, not to put too fine a point on it, but if there were a Pope in the first generation, Peter wouldn’t be it. James would be.

James has always been a controversial letter in our Bibles. Martin Luther found apocryphal catholic books like Bel and the Dragon to be historically important enough to keep in the back of his Bible as reference material But James, Luther hated. He called it the “epistle made of straw” because he thought it talked to much about works and not enough about grace… so he tore it from his Bible and he burned it.

James wrote at an early time when Christian persecution was on the rise. When he wrote, to proclaim one’s self to be a Christian, could mean a death sentence. Still, contrary to what Martin Luther thought, James isn’t about works righteousness or earning favor with God. It’s about making your faith come alive. That’s why James said, “Faith without works is like a lifeless body” Yeah, it may be there but it’s just not doing anything. Yeah you may be a Christian but more like a lifeless one that never moves. Faith without works is dead.

James wanted people to put their money where their mouth is… so to speak. To say what they mean and mean what they say. James wanted people to claim Christ and then act like it.

James writes, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”

As it’s often been said, “God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we speak.” Or as Proverbs 17:28 puts it, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Or if this were written today it would probably read, “Better to save a draft of your email, then to send one you’ll later regret.”

Unfortunately, we tend to speak (or type) much more than we care to listen. Consequently, we often fail to hear what others are saying.

In one of his books, long before Dr. Stephen Hawking died, the Rev. Dr. Ben Edgington wrote about meeting together, “I’ve occasionally been to lectures given by Professor Stephen Hawking. Even if you’ve never heard him speak, you are bound to have heard of him: he’s a scientist who suffers from motor neuron disease and is almost entirely paralyzed. The way he communicates is truly extraordinary. With just about the only muscle function he has, he uses a single button to laboriously select words from a computer screen on his wheelchair, and when he’s finished, a speech synthesizer delivers his words in a Robot-like voice.

Doing a question-and-answer session with him is an amazing experience: it can take him five or ten minutes or even longer to compose a reply to a single question. But during that time there is not a whisper in the audience. Everyone is eager to hear what Dr. Hawking has to say. No-one jumps in with their own answer to the questions because they know they’d look a fool. And if he says something controversial people don’t get up and rant at him: they weigh what he says because each sentence he speaks takes time. Hawking is very careful with his responses. He listens carefully and responds just as carefully. Only that we might all have to compose ourselves thusly.”

James continues on. He writes, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.”

Now, this verse is not quite what it first appears. At first glance it seems to be about purifying the community from sin and it is to an extent. But it’s really more about listening for God. See, the word for filthiness that’s used here is actually a medical term from the time. The word was used very specifically to describe two distinct things. The first use of the word was a way to refer to soiled clothing. But the second way the word was used was to refer to the removal of earwax (put aside all filthiness). For most of the commentaries I checked it seems that Earwax is probably the case here. If that’s true, then it’s sort of like a little note that James drops on his listeners… “Listen up, people. Get the wax out of your ears! God’s word is within you. Listen to it.”

“Therefore, get the wax out of your ears and do away with all wickedness, and in humility, receive the word implanted which is able to save your souls.”

James wants us to be slow to speak, eager to listen, to get the wax out of our ears and truly hear the Word God has already implanted within us.

He continues on: “Now prove yourselves doers of [that] word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, it is like a person who looks into a mirror and as soon as they step away from it, forgets what they look like.”

In The Message it’s paraphrased like this: “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.”

James understands that God wants us to have a living faith. That’s why, later in his book James gets more aggressive. He says, “what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you have faith?” (James 2:14)

I have this friend in Omaha, Nebraska from my young adults group. His name is Peter. He’s a really wonderful guy. A while back we had this talk about seeing a car with a big Jesus fish on the back I saw speeding and cutting people off in traffic. Pete quoted me this verse. We both agreed that it would be better for some people not to put the Jesus fish on their cars in the first place. But “there’s really no way to fix this” I said. “Yeah, there is…” Pete said. It turns out this had been bothering Pete so much and for so long, that he had begun going out for a drive once a week with a big Jesus Saves bumper sticker on the back of his little smart car. {This is absolutely true.) Once a week Pete goes out for a drive with one purpose. He lets people in the lanes they want in. That’s it. His goal is not to get to the store or pick up some milk. It’s just to be a polite driver. Letting people merge into his lane is his sole purpose. Now, it sounds crazy… but when Pete steps away from the mirror, he still knows exactly what he looks like. He puts his money where his mouth is. He does just what James says: he proves himself a doer of the word, and not merely a hearer. And I like that.

Bad, rude drivers proclaiming their faith in Jesus bothered Pete, so he decided to be a good driver and proclaim his faith in Jesus.

I wonder what other things in life we might deal with in this same way???

In verse 26 James goes back to the thrust of his argument. Here he says, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

James says, if you’re going to drive a car covered in Christian bumper stickers, you better watch your mouth. All eyes are on you to see if you’re merely a hearer or if you’re a doer. You better learn to listen carefully, and when you’re mad, you had better learn to hold your tongue.

I read this story recently: A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, “Half a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads, and that’s how we sell them!”

“You mean,” she persisted, “that after all the years I’ve shopped here, you won’t sell me half a head of lettuce?” “Look,” he said, “If you like I’ll ask the manager.” She indicated that would be appreciated, so the young man marched to the front of the store to see the manager. “You won’t believe this, but there’s a lame-brained idiot of a lady back there who wants to know if she can buy half-a-head of lettuce.”

Then the kid suddenly noticed the manager gesturing with his eyes, and quickly turned around to see the “lame-brained idiot of a lady” standing right behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. “… Thinking quickly the boy added… “And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half.”

Later in the day the manager cornered the young man and said, “That was the finest example of thinking on your feet I’ve ever seen! Where did you learn that?” He said, “I grew up in Grand Rapids, and if you know anything about Grand Rapids, you know that it’s known for only two things: great hockey and hideously ugly women.”

The manager’s face flushed, and he interrupted, “My wife is from Grand Rapids!” To which the boy replied “Oh, and which hockey team did she play for?”

James says, bridle your tongue. Good advice.

Our God wants Christians to say what we mean and mean what we say. He wants Christians that are quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger; Christians that know what we look like in the mirror; ones that reflect his image. He wants Christians that bridle our tongues. He wants Christians that define True religion not just as something we talk about, but something we do for others.

May we all be the kind of Christians God has called us to be. Amen

Song: Great is Thy faithfulness (324)

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Jesus our Friend and Redeemer, we come to You this morning ready for a new day. As we begin to turn this season from summer to school, as things begin to become busy and our daily schedules fill, remind us to pause and give thanks to You. Remind us to take in the beauty of the world around us and to give thanks for the people You have brought into our lives. Call upon us to call upon others, to not forget our friendships and family and to cherish our time together. Guide us away from the busy-ness of the outside world and into the peaceful rhythms of daily life. Renew in us Your guiding Wisdom. Keep us to the promises of new life here and now on earth and help us to share this gift of life with others.

We pray for the church, that we might show forth our faith in action, regard all with impartiality, and be quick to listen and slow to anger.

We pray for our nation, that whenever trials may befall us, that You may grant us endurance and wisdom.

We pray for the world, that the lowly may be raised up, and that mercy may fall on us all.

We pray for the sick, the injured, the vulnerable, and those undergoing all forms of adversity, that they might all be found in Your presence. Especially this morning we pray for new and expectant mothers in our community.

Gracious God, let our prayers be offered to you with the gentleness that is born from your wisdom from above, that is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, and full of mercy.

Hear our Prayers and help use us to answer them. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

Those who belong to Christ gather gladly to his table to make a memorial of his life and death to celebrate his presence and together as his Church offer Him thanks. For this reason we take this bread and this wine and set them aside from all common use.

The celebration is for us but it is not ours. It is God’s alone. Now, together as one body made up of people from all around the world, of all ages, we pass on what was passed to us.

Welcome to the Lord’s Supper.

Song: Lift up your hearts (526: vss. 1-4)

We affirm our faith: The Apostles Creed (539)
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

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

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

The Communion Prayer

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, the holy Supper which we are about to celebrate is a feast of remembrance, of communion, and of hope.

We come in remembrance that our Lord Jesus Christ was sent of the Father into the world to assume our flesh and blood and to fulfill for us all obedience to the divine law, even to the bitter and shameful death of the cross. By his death, resurrection, and ascension he established a new and eternal covenant of grace and reconciliation that we might be accepted of God and never be forsaken by him.

We come to have communion with this same Christ who has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world. In the breaking of the bread he makes himself known to us as the true heavenly Bread that strengthens us unto life eternal. In the cup of blessing he comes to us as the Vine in whom we must abide if we are to bear fruit.

We come in hope, believing that this bread and this cup are a pledge and foretaste of the feast of love of which we shall partake when his kingdom has fully come, when with unveiled face we shall behold him, made like unto him in this glory.

Since by his death, resurrection, and ascension he has obtained for us the life-giving Spirit who unites us all in one body, so are we to receive this Supper in true brotherly love, mindful of the communion of saints.

Holy and right it is and our joyful duty to give thanks to you at all times and in all places, O Lord, our Creator, almighty and everlasting God! You created the heaven with all its hosts and the earth with all its plenty. You have given us life and being and preserve us by your providence. But you have shown us the fullness of your love in sending into the world your Son, Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, made flesh for us men and for our salvation. For the precious gift of this mighty Savior who has reconciled us to you we praise and bless you, O God.

With your whole Church on earth and with all the company of heaven we worship and adore your glorious name.

Most righteous God, we remember in this Supper the perfect sacrifice offered once on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ for the sin of the world.

In the joy of his resurrection and in expectation of his coming again, we offer ourselves to you as holy and living sacrifices.

Sharing of the bread and wine

Send your Holy Spirit upon us, we pray, that the bread which we break may be to us the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Grant that, being joined together in him, we may attain to the unity of the faith and grow up in all things into him Christ our Lord.

And as this grain has been gathered from many fields into one loaf and these grapes from many hills into one cup, grant, O Lord, that thy whole Church may soon be gathered from the ends of the earth into thy kingdom. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Lord Jesus, the same night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,

“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.”

After the same manner also, he took the cup when they had supped, saying, “this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ.

The cup of blessing which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.

Song: Behold the Lamb

The prayer after Communion

Heavenly Father, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal Kingdom.

And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn: I’m gonna live so God can use me (648)

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn his face toward you and give you His peace. Amen, and Amen, and Amen.

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).

Hero tears

Posted on August 25, 2024August 27, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 25 August 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalists: Cheryl and Peter Sheridan
Elder: Darlene Eerkes

We gather to worship God
Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves;
P: the one who is weak and the one who is strong,
L: the one who is happy and the one who is sad,
P: the one who is enjoying mental wellness today
L: and the one who is struggling with mental illness today,
P: the one whom we understand and the one we don’t,
L: the one who is embraced and the one who is shunned,
P: the one who is like us and the one who is different.
L: Come, let us worship together!
P: We come, trusting God’s abundant love!

Opening praise: Holy is the Lord

Prayers of approach and confession

God of majesty and mystery, we come before you in wonder and gratitude.

Source of all that is, you are beyond our imagining; your creation astounds us with its beauty and power.

Word of hope and healing, you embrace us with tender care, drawing near in every situation.

Spirit of purpose and possibility, you show us which way to turn when we trust our choices to you.

Receive our praise and prayer this day, Source, Word, and Spirit of Life, ever Three and ever One.

God of mercy, we face many choices each day and we confess we often choose with no thought of you.

Forgive the choices we’ve made that hurt others, those that ignored our own wellbeing, and those that betrayed your love.

Guide us in all our choices, simple or complicated, so we express our faithfulness to you day by day.

Response: I will trust in the Lord

Assurance of God’s love

Jesus said, “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Story: “The Armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-20)

Introduction: Good morning, kids! Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a superhero? Superheroes wear cool costumes to protect themselves, right? Well, did you know that as Christians, God gives us something even better than superhero suits? He gives us the Armour of God to help protect us and stand strong!

Lesson: In the Bible, in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul tells us that we’re in a battle—not with people, but with things we can’t always see, like bad thoughts or fear. But don’t worry, because God gives us special armour to help us!

Let’s look at each piece of the Armour of God:

The Belt of Truth: Just like a belt holds up your clothes, truth holds us strong. God’s truth helps us know what is right and wrong. When we tell the truth, we are wearing this belt!
The Breastplate of Righteousness: A breastplate protects the heart, doesn’t it? When we do the right things—like being kind, honest, and loving—we wear righteousness like armour that protects our hearts.
The Shoes of Peace: Shoes help us walk safely, right? God gives us peace that helps us move forward, even when things are scary. His peace helps us stay calm and share His love with others.
The Shield of Faith: When superheroes have shields, they block things, right? Faith is like a shield that helps protect us from bad thoughts or doubts. When we trust God, it’s like holding up a big shield that blocks anything scary.
The Helmet of Salvation: Helmets protect our heads. Salvation means that Jesus saved us and made us part of God’s family. When we know that we are God’s children, we can think clearly and protect our minds from anything that tries to make us doubt His love.
The Sword of the Spirit: This sword isn’t a regular sword; it’s the Word of God! When we read the Bible, it helps us know what to do and what to say. God’s words are powerful, like a sharp sword that helps us win against bad things.

So, kids, whenever you feel scared or unsure, remember that God has given you His Armour! When we wear the Armour of God, we are protected and ready to stand strong, just like superheroes for Jesus!

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving us Your armour to protect us and help us stand strong. Help us to put on each piece every day so we can follow You with courage and love. We know You are always with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray the prayer Christ taught us to pray.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: You are the Author (430)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Jeremiah 20:14-18; Psalm 34:17; I Cor 15:8, John 11: 33-35; and John 14:27

Response: Behold the Lamb of God

Message: Hero tears

It was September 16th, and I found myself standing in a unique Anglican church in the Lower Mainland. The large auditorium was filled with college students—so many that there were no seats. People sat on the floor instead of pews or chairs and everyone stood shoulder to shoulder, connected not just by proximity, but by something deeper: a shared need for hope. This church was closely tied to California’s Harvest Christian Fellowship, a 15,000-member megachurch known for its powerful ministry in suicide prevention.

Just six days earlier, on September 10th, tragedy struck. Jarrid Wilson, the 30year old director of Harvest’s suicide prevention program and the visionary behind the “Anthem of Hope” initiative, got up on a Monday morning like any other. He kissed his wife Lori and their two little boys, then headed off to officiate a funeral. But later that day, the unthinkable happened. Jarrid—the man who had dedicated his life to saving others—took his own life. The man who had been a beacon of hope for so many felt that his own light had gone out.

The room was somber. If someone like Jarrid, with so much passion for helping others, could fall into such deep despair, what does that say about the rest of us? How do we cope when even our heroes seem to break under the weight of their burdens? But truth be told, this has always been the case.

As Christians, we often look to the Bible for examples of great heroes—men and women of faith whose lives inspire us.

– There’s Noah, who built the ark in obedience to God despite how absurd it must have seemed.

– Abraham, the father of nations, whose trust in God’s promises set the foundation for the people of Israel.

– God chose Saul to lead His people for a special purpose.

– David, the young shepherd who rose to become king, established Jerusalem, a city that still stands to this day.

– Solomon, who built the majestic Temple, a physical representation of God’s dwelling among His people.

– Job, who, though he suffered more than most of us could ever imagine, remained blameless and refused to curse God.

– And the prophets, those brave souls who called the people of Israel back to truth even when they faced rejection and ridicule.

These figures inspire us with their faith, their resilience, and their closeness to God. But beneath their triumphs, there’s a hidden story—a story of struggle, paint, and sorrow. These heroes, like us, were not immune to brokenness. They were not invincible. They were human.

Yes, Noah followed God’s instructions and saved humanity and creation from the flood. But after the waters receded, Noah drowned his sorrows in wine and shame. Abraham, despite his generally unwavering faith, doubted that God could fulfill His promise and took matters into his own hands. His anxiety led to his downfall. Saul, chosen by God, became consumed by fits of jealousy and rage, losing his grip on his calling. Job, though blameless before God, cursed the very day he was born and longed for death to release him from his suffering.

Jarrid, it appears, was in good company.

And what of the prophets?

Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet, struggled with loneliness and the weight of his calling. He cried out in his anguish, “Cursed be the day I was born!” (Jeremiah 20:14). Elijah, the fearless prophet who stood against hundreds of false prophets, was so weary after his great victory that he fled into the wilderness and prayed for death, saying, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).

Even David, the man after God’s own heart, was no stranger to emotional turmoil. His psalms are filled with cries of desperation and grief: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:11). “My heart is like wax melting within me” (Psalm 22). These words come from a place of deep sorrow, a place where even the mightiest of God’s servants sometimes find themselves.

Our heroes were not superhuman. They were people who wrestled with brokenness, fear, anxiety, and despair. They were not flawless—they were broken, just like us.

It’s important to recognize that there is a difference between the sadness that touches all of us at times and the deep darkness of depression that drowns. Sadness is a normal response to life’s difficulties. It comes and goes. But depression—that’s a heaviness that lingers, a darkness that clouds everything, even when life seems like it should be getting better.

And here’s the truth: You can love Jesus and still be broken. You can love Jesus and still be sad. You can love Jesus and still battle depression. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from suffering—it often makes us more aware of the depth of our pain. But that’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of our humanity.

If you’re in tears today, feeling unworthy, broken, or overwhelmed, know this: you’re not alone. You’re walking a path that even the greatest heroes of the Bible have walked. And more importantly, you are walking with Jesus, who knows your sorrow better than anyone.

The prophet Isaiah described the coming Messiah as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). And Jesus was just that. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He cried out in agony to His Father, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Our Savior, our King, was no stranger to despair. He felt the full weight of sorrow—He carried it with Him to the cross. And He did it for you.

Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is perfect—not Noah, not Abraham, not David, not Jarrid Wilson, not you, not me. We all fall short. But here’s the good news: in Christ, we are being perfected. Hebrews 10:14 tells us, “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

Christ, through His sacrifice, has already made us perfect in the eyes of God. But He doesn’t stop there—He continues to work in us, day by day, moment by moment, refining us, making us more like Him. Even in our weakness, He is making us stronger. Even in our brokenness, He is making us whole.

Jesus didn’t come for the perfect. He didn’t come for those who had it all together. He came for the broken, the weary, the ones who know they need Him. In Mark 2:17, Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

He came for you. He came for me. He came for the moments when we feel like we can’t go on. He came to carry the burdens that are too heavy for us to bear. When you are in tears.

Brokenness takes a lot of forms, and maybe you or someone you love has depression or anxiety or maybe PTSD. You likely know someone with bipolar disorder or substance abuse. But let me just say that if this describes you or someone you know, you are not alone. Keep moving even incrementally forward; remember, some of the most faithful people in history have had issues and feelings much like yours. And then lastly, I want to remind you that there is no shame in your brokenness because Christ meets you right there—in the mess, in the pain, in the tears—and He lifts you up.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means that if you’re feeling like you’re falling apart, if you’re weighed down by your own mind and your own body, if life feels overwhelming and you can’t see a way forward—know this: you are not alone. Our heroes of faith walked this road before us, and Jesus walks it with you now.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. Your worth isn’t determined by how strong you appear to others. Your worth is found in Christ, who loves you exactly as you are and yet is still working in you, even now, to perfect you. He carries you when you can’t carry yourself. He wipes your tears when you feel like you can’t cry anymore. He sees you in your struggle, and He calls you beloved.

As we leave here today, hold on to this truth: God’s love for you isn’t dependent on your ability to be strong. He doesn’t ask you to carry your burdens alone. The heroes of the Bible were flawed and broken, just like us. Yet, they experienced God’s relentless grace and love. That same grace, that same love, is available to you right now.

Let Christ carry you. Let Him heal your wounds. Let Him walk with you through the valley because even there, you are never alone. He is with you, perfecting you, even in your weakest moments.

Go forth in peace, knowing that even in your brokenness, God’s love remains unshakable. Even in your pain, He is working. And even in your tears, He is perfecting you. In Jesus’ name, 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

God in whom we live and move and have our being:

As we gather in your presence today, we are aware of many challenges in our own lives, in the lives of those we care about, and in the world around us.

Thank you for your faithfulness to each of us and to your whole creation, given all the different situations we face.

Show us how our concern for the world and for each other can respond to the needs we name before you today.

We pray for those who have been in the headlines lately, for those situations in the world and in our county that concern us deeply, and for all whose lives cry out to you and to us for help: …

We pray for those who are suffering, thinking today of those who are ill and those who are bereaved; those struggling to make ends meet; and those whose homes have been upended for any reason. …

We pray for those looking forward to a new beginning the Fall: …
those starting at new schools or in new training programs;
those beginning new jobs or new activities;
those welcoming new members into the family through birth or marriage;
those beginning life in a new home or community: …

We pray for our congregation as we look to a new season of activities. Help us see where you call us to reach out with your love and generosity.

Renew our faith and our friendships in Christ. Equip us to meet every challenge we face with hearts full of faith & commitment for we dare to pray. Amen.

Song: Give me oil in my lamp 655)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go in gratitude, relying on the presence of Christ as bread for your journey. And may the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and the Spirit who gives us life bless you with peace and purpose each day. Amen.

Response: Amen! We praise your name, O God

Music postlude

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Remain

Posted on August 18, 2024August 19, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 18 August 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Linda F-B
Elder: Jane de Caen

We gather to worship God

Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: Awake! God is here!
P: Rejoice! We are loved!
L: Get ready! There is much to be done!
P: Prepare us, Lord, to work for you. Amen.

Opening praise: Here I am to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, when our souls hunger for fulfillment, you give us the Bread of Life.

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, when our souls thirst for communion with you, you refresh us with living water.

Creator, Christ, and Spirit, when we long for what is authentic, you show us the Way, the Truth and the Life.

And so we come to worship you, Creator, Christ, and Spirit.

Receive our praise and gratitude, Living God, for you are the source of all that matters, and the strength to live out your purposes, now and evermore.

God of all that matters, forgive us when we forget what matters to you.

Forgive the sins we have tried to hide, and those we were once proud to commit.

Forgive the sins we have done to please ourselves, and the sins we have done to please others.

By your grace, forgive us, and bless what we can become through your faithfulness to us.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord

Assurance of God’s love

In Christ, all things are made new. Know that you are forgiven by his great mercy. Trust in God’s mercy and have the courage to forgive each other in Jesus’ name.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time: Courtney Vaughan

Response: Jesus loves me (373)

Story

What is this? (An anchor.)
What is an anchor used for? (An anchor keeps a boat from drifting in the water -or- it keeps the boat from going off course during a storm.)
How does an anchor work? (The heavy anchor part is attached to a large chain. The anchor is dropped into the water and stays connected to the boat with the chain. The “flukes” on the anchor hook onto the sea floor.)

Give a brief demonstration of how this works, by either hooking it behind a front pew leg OR ask a child/adult to stand up and be your prop. Holding onto the rope/chain, drag the anchor until it catches. Invite a child up to pull on the string now that it has been “anchored” onto something. So once it’s hooked on something, whatever is at the other end can only move so far from where it has been “anchored.”

Over the past few weeks, the church services have been focused on God as OUR anchor. God’s love, His compassion, His patience, His mercy, His goodness and His justice never change. His purpose and plans never change.

Hold up a helium-filled balloon. Let’s imagine that this is a ship out in the sea. Invite two to three volunteers up. A storm is approaching, so the crew throws the anchor overboard to keep the ship from going off course. Make sure the balloon is tied off really well to the anchor. Each volunteer will take a turn hitting the balloon to be the “storm”.

As we saw in our demonstration, the “ship” was tossed around by the wind, waves and rain, but it always came back. It didn’t leave its’ connection to the “anchor.” That connection kept it safe, secure and steadfast.

In a similar way, life can seem to toss us about. We may go through suffering, trials and temptations. But our connection to Jesus Christ and His love for us is what gives us hope and prevents us from drifting too far.

When an anchor is working, keeping a boat secure and steadfast during a storm, you can’t see the anchor beneath the waves. That doesn’t mean it is not there and not working on behalf of the ship! Even though we can’t see God, that doesn’t mean that He isn’t at work in our lives.

God the Father hears and answers our prayers. Jesus is preparing a forever home for His followers with Him. The Holy Spirit gives us comfort, helps us not give into temptation and helps us to understand God’s Word. As Christians, we know that we can rely on God to be our anchor, whatever challenges we face!

Prayer

Let us pray. This is a repeat after me prayer! …
Thank you, God, …
for holding us steady …
as we face the storms of life. …

Now, we will pray the prayer that You taught us, saying:

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Come, my way, my truth, my life (565)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: John 15:5-8 & Psalm 23:1-3 (Tracey Childs)

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Remain

This is the last week of our anchor series, built around Hebrews 6:19 which says: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…”

An anchor is a wonderful invention, used by fishermen and sailors for thousands, of years. The basic concept of an anchor is to hold a vessel steady and secure and prevent drift: simple in its design, but powerful in its function.

As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to remain “steadfast” in our faith through every trial and storm that life may bring. Steadfast: meaning persistently committed to, our faith in Him. You may remember from last week that it’s not a matter of if the storms of life will come, it’s a matter of when. And when they come, you want to be prepared, you want to have a firm grip on the anchor of our soul, Jesus.

Today we’re going to talk more about maintaining that grip throughout life. The Bible uses words like perseverance and steadfastness to describe enduring faith. But there’s another word I want us to add to our list today, and that’s the word “remain.“

To remain is to stay… and in our fast-paced, ever-changing culture it’s become more and more of a rarity to just be able to… remain. To hunker down for the long haul. Whether it be relationships, or jobs, or even cities or countries. We are a culture that is constantly on the move. From one thing to another, many of us become enamoured with the new shiny things or grow tired of and bored of the old ones. Whatever the case may be, this isn’t how faith works.

In fact, God calls us to remain, to hold fast, and to root ourselves in faith and righteousness. This is perhaps nowhere clearer than in the opening chapter of James, where the brother of Jesus writes, “²Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[^a^] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

The only firm and secure anchor is the one in Christ that lasts. He is the one who will hold on through any trial and every storm. There may be other anchors, but eventually, they all give way and fail. So we learn to hold on, sometimes for dear life, but we learn to hold fast. And if we want to persevere, we learn to remain. But you gotta hold on.

John 15:5 says, ⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”

If you are holding fast to Jesus, keep holding.

But truth be told most of us, even if we are holding on tight, still have a few other things in our hands as well. In fact, our hands are about full, so full sometimes that the Lord just runs out of room. In that case, we need to admit that there are things we need to let go of.

What are you holding onto?

We all see something we want, and we’ll hold on to it despite the cost to ourselves. Material wealth, status, prestige…There are many things we hold on to even though they potentially make us miserable. Letting go also takes courage. But sometimes you just have to let go of the wrong things to free your hands up to hold the right things.

Remember that old saying, “If you love it let it go – if it does not return, it was never yours – If it does return, it was always yours. If it comes back and eats your food and messes up your house – you either married it or gave birth to it.

On a more serious note: Martin Luther wrote, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”

John 15:8 reminds us that this is all to the glory of the Father. All this holding tight to Christ and asking the Father for the things we need. It brings Him glory; it pleases Him to care for His creation. And it makes sense because as any parent or even pet owner knows, it’s an absolute delight to see your littles, healthy, happy, and prospering.

The scriptures tell us that God loves us. But more than God that loved us first. Before we could ever reciprocate that love, before our relationship with Him could be permanently restored, He loved. Before we were, he loved. 1 John 4:9-10 says, “⁹This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Here’s the thing, isn’t love at first sight real? I just want you to think for a moment about any relationships in your life where you loved first before there was any opportunity for love to be returned in any way.

How many of you were thinking of an unborn or newborn?

It’s often said that “you don’t know what love is until you have a child.” Now I don’t believe that’s the undisputed experience, but what I will say, the kind of wave of love that just washes over you in one big splash. These types of events are unique. But they happen don’t they.

My point in all this is to say that this is exactly how God is described as loving you. God loves you. God has a purpose and a plan for your life. God has a room in heaven waiting for you… A seat at the heavenly banquet table. God formed and knit you together in the womb (Psalm 139). And God uniquely gifted you with a role to play and loved you so much that he died for you. Today even Jesus, the scriptures tell us, prays for you.

Yes, as Isaiah wrote long ago, we all have gone astray, we all fill our hands with a lot of things and crowd our faith out.

Sometimes you have to let go of a few things to make more room for Jesus, the anchor of our faith, the anchor of our souls and the one who never lets go.

Song: We have an anchor

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude and for our world

Gracious God, we are grateful for your presence with us in all things, especially in times of challenge and change.

We thank you for times of rest and reunion this summer, for opportunities to see people we miss and places that inspire us with wonder.

Yet we know this summer holds deep challenges for many, and so we bring before you people and places on our minds and hearts.

We pray for the families and communities facing fire, flood or storms, worrying about what will remain of their homes and hometowns.

Protect those who fight fires or conduct rescues in dangerous circumstances.

Open our hearts in generosity to do what we can to assist recovery.

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.

We pray for the earth, for the land and the seas suffering as the climate warms, and for the creatures being displaced by disaster and disruption.

Protect all that is precious to you in creation and open our hearts to live more responsibly within the balance of life you created.

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.

We pray for people facing hatred and discrimination, and those coming to terms with historic injustice and injury.

Guide the relations between indigenous peoples and other Canadians to correct misunderstandings and create justice for all communities.

Open our hearts to discover what we share as your peoples and appreciate the gifts we have to offer to each other.

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.

We pray for all those who are suffering this summer: those who face pain or illness, those who are dying or who know bereavement, all who are anxious about what lies ahead, and any who do not have enough to make ends meet.

Bring courage and comfort to those who are struggling and open our hearts to offer companionship to ease their journey.

God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.

In silence we hold before you those near and dear to us.

Speak to us the truth we need to hear and guide us in our relationships:

(Silence for 30 seconds)

Receive our prayers, spoken and unspoken. Amen.

Song: Follow me, the Master said (645)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Now let us go forth out into the world in peace and dedicated to the Father’s service. Let us hold fast to that which is good; render to no person evil for evil; strengthening the faint-hearted; supporting the weak; helping the needy and the afflicted; and honouring all people. Let us love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of God’s Holy Spirit – and may God’s blessing be upon us and remain with use, forever and eternal. Amen.

Response: Go forth into the world

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

When the storm comes

Posted on August 11, 2024August 11, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am     11 August 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia     Guest Pianist: Darolyn McCrostie
Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie     Elder: Sam Malayang

We gather to worship God

Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: When the waves of doubt threaten us
P: God is with us.
Sung: God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. God’s so good to me.
L: When fears seem to swamp our lives
P: God is with us.
Sung: God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. God’s so good to me
L: When life seems wrong, and we need a steady hand
P: God is with us.
Sung: God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. God’s so good to me.
L: Even when we cannot hear or see or feel the one who loves us
P: God is with us.
Sung: God is so good. God is so good. God is so good. God’s so good to me.

Opening praise: Come, now is the time to worship

Prayers of approach and confession

Living, giving God, you are the source of all good things.

Your love reaches wider than the expanding universe, and your kindness embraces the tiny sparrow.

In Christ, you offer us the Bread of Life to sustain us day by day.

Through the Holy Spirit, you are present in every situation, our daily tasks and demanding challenges.

And so we gather to offer you our love and loyalty, the very best of ourselves, for surely you deserve all we can offer, heart, body, mind, and soul, our living, giving God.

Living, forgiving God, in Christ, you promise us new life.

Yet we often cling to bitter disappointments; anger can hold us hostage for years.

We say one thing to someone’s face and something else behind their back.

Forgive us.

Free us from old habits and resentments and renew us to live according to your mercy. Amen

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s grace

God is tender-hearted and gracious to all, offering forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Trust in God’s grace, and be kind to one another, forgiving others as God has forgiven you.

Reception of new members:
Sabir Aziz, Saima Sadaf, Nebat Marilyn, Corrie Magdalene and Felix Joy

The Presentation

Christian friends, Saima, Sabir, Marilyn, Corrie and Felix, have been baptized and are members of the body of Christ. They have been nurtured within the Christian Community and instructed in the beliefs and practices of the church.

Today, by making a public profession of their faith, they desire to affirm their baptism and to claim the rights and responsibilities associated with membership in the congregation of Dayspring Presbyterian Church, Edmonton Alberta.

Introduction: So now if you would, I’d invite you to just say a few words.

Renunciation and Affirmation

Remember your baptism and give thanks. By the water of baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit God claims us and calls each one by name. God unites us to Christ and his death and resurrection and graphs us into the body of Christ as members of the church God, washes us clean by forgiving our sins, commissions us to be a royal priesthood with Christ, in his ministry to the world, empowers us to live in newness of life as people of the word, and invites us to be renewed at the table of the Lord until we Feast with him and Glory.

It Is by grace that you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing, but it is a gift of God.

Saima, Sabir, Marilyn, Corrie and Felix, you stand before God in this company of God’s people to affirm the Covenant God made with you and your baptisms, to acknowledge your growth in Grace and to assume responsibility as Disciples of Jesus Christ in this congregation and the world.

Are you ready to affirm your Faith?

Candidates answer: “I am ready”

Trusting in the gracious mercies of God who has been faithful to us in all generations, do you turn away from sin, renounce evil and all powers in the world which rebelled against God, or oppose God’s rules of justice of love?

Candidates answer: “I renounce them.”

Do you renounce the ways of sin which separate you from the love of God?

Candidates answer: “I renounce them.”

Do you turn to Jesus Christ accepting him as Lord and Savior, trusting in his grace and love?

Candidates answer: “I do.”

Do you desire, dependence on the Holy Spirit, to mature as Christians in the church, to seek the guidance of Christ as you listen for his word, to celebrate his death and life at the table he provides, and to engage in his mission to the world?

Candidates answer: “I do.”

The minister asks the congregation to stand and questions them, saying:

“Do you, on behalf of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture Saima, Sabir, Felix, Marilyn, and Corrie by word and deed, with love and in prayer, encouraging them to follow the way of Christ and to be (a) faithful member(s) of his church?

We do.

Then let us proclaim together as one congregation or members and adherents our common faith as found in the words of the Apostles Creed.

Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right-hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy catholic Church,
The Communion of Saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Thanksgiving and Intercession

Blessed are you, most gracious God. Through water and the spirit, you have claimed us as your own, cleansing us from sin and giving us new life. You called us into your church to be your servants in the world in the Name of Christ your son. You promised to be present among us, to direct and defend your people by the power of your spirit. And now we give you thanks for your faithfulness to us and to these your sons and daughters who come to renew with you the Covenant of baptism.

By the power of your spirit continue in them the good work you have begun, that they may willingly serve you in love and joy, with courage and Truth, in the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord, always and forever. Amen.

At this time, I ask the Elders to come forward to extend the right hand of fellowship.

Blessing

Saima, Sabir, Marilyn, Corrie and Felix, may our Holy God bless you, that you might daily increase in the gifts of the Spirit serving Christ our King.

Welcome to Dayspring Presbyterian Church as official members of the congregation.

Right Hand of Fellowship

We listen for the voice of God

Song: How firm a foundation (685: vss 1-3)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Matthew 7:24-27 & Acts 27:1 & 28:10

Response: Behold the Lamb of God

Message: When the storm comes

Today, as we continue our Anchor series, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve already covered together. In week 1 we introduced Hebrews 6:19 and the idea of being anchored to hope. Last week we talked about the necessity of having a firm and secure hold on the anchor of our hope. And today we are going to speak about the fact that we live in a world where storms will come, which highlights the necessity of having an anchor.

It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. The storms are coming and there will be adversity, suffering, and pain. When we are faced with any of these we need to be prepared beforehand, ready for whatever may come our way.

I can’t imagine a ship ever leaving port without an anchor on hand… So why are so many of us human beings just floating through life with no real direction, no greater plan for adversity, and no anchor on board? Maybe we don’t see the need for an anchor, maybe we’ve never really had to plan, or maybe we’ve had a relatively easy life, and we don’t think too often about hardship or suffering.

Whatever the case may be, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. When the storms come, what are you going to do?

Thankfully, Jesus had some thoughts on the matter.

Last week we looked at Matthew chapter 6 and how it relates to the hope we have in the kingdom of God. This week, we’re going to take a look at Matthew chapter 7 and how it relates to having hope amid a storm.

Matthew 7:24-27

²⁴“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

In this section of scripture, Jesus is putting an exclamation point on the previous teaching in Matthew chapters 5-7, which is called the Sermon on the Mount. Many believe that this is, for many reasons, the greatest sermon ever preached. For hundreds of years, it has been commented on, scrutinized, picked apart, and had countless books written about it. And at the conclusion of Jesus’ greatest sermon, he gives us this short section at the end of chapter 7 which compares 2 builders: one of whom builds on solid rock and the other builds on sand.

In both cases, the builders heard the words of Jesus. Unfortunately, only one builder acted upon them and responded to the teaching of Christ. A.T. Robertson said in Word Pictures in the New Testament, “Hearing sermons is a dangerous business if one does not put them into practice…” And I think we would all agree that it’s easy enough to listen to something, harder to dig in and hear, and even harder to put what you’ve heard into practice.

And yet it would seem this is the exact choice Jesus lays out for us at the end of Matthew chapter 7. We’ve got to hear and respond to His teachings.

This reminds me of a story. Two men were talking over coffee one day.

One man said: “I’m concerned about my wife. She talks to herself a lot these days.” The other said: “Mine does too, although she doesn’t know it. She still thinks I’m listening.”

Listening is easy. Hearing isn’t. And even more difficult is putting what you’ve heard into action.

Now here’s the thing, even the closest disciples of Jesus; the friends and students who travelled Jesus and lived with Jesus, took years upon years to put into practice just some of the things they’d learned from truly hearing Jesus.

It’s better to be like the wise builder who built on solid rock than like the foolish builder who built on sand (the one who listens but doesn’t hear, hears but doesn’t do anything).

That way, when the storms do come, which they will, you can make the most of it knowing your hope is firm and secure in Christ; that no matter what God is in control and what does not work out in this life can in the next.

This next story is a longer one, but it highlights the beauty and freedom of living life anchored on Christ. It should come as no surprise that the story comes from the missionary journey of Paul the Apostle, who said in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” For Paul, that contentment included being shipwrecked at sea and stranded for months on a strange island but still rusting. Here’s how the story goes:

Acts 27:1-11

27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. ²We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.

³The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. ⁴From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. ⁵When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. ⁶There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. ⁷We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone.

⁸We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. ⁹Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.^[^a^] So Paul warned them, ¹⁰“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” ¹¹But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.

In this first part of the story, we learn that Paul is a prisoner and is being transported via ship to Italy. By verse 9, after many exchanges, we learn that the journey has already been a difficult one and that they had lost “much time.” Then in verse 10 Paul says, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” Paul is not saying, if disaster comes, he expects it. He’s saying when disaster comes. But, as you’d imagine, they don’t listen to him and they keep going along their way.

This exchange reminds me of one of the most sobering Proverbs you’ll read which says, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” – Proverbs 29:1… Why are we so stubborn to the wisdom of others? Why don’t we just build our proverbial homes on solid rock? Why didn’t the centurion listen to Paul’s warning on the ship?

Acts 27:13-44

¹³When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. ¹⁵The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, ¹⁷so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor^[^a^] and let the ship be driven along. ¹⁸We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. ¹⁹On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. ²⁰When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

²¹After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²²But now I urge you to keep up your courage because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

The Shipwreck

²⁷On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic^[^b^] Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. ²⁸They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet^[^c^] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet^[^d^] deep. ²⁹Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. ³⁰In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. ³¹Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³²So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

³³Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. ³⁷Altogether there were 276 of us on board. ³⁸When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

³⁹When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. ⁴⁰Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. ⁴¹But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

⁴²The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. ⁴³But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴The rest were to get there on planks or other pieces of the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely.

In this section we see the storm comes, the ship is wrecked, and all the people involved are terrified except for Paul who has complete faith and assurance that all will end well.

As the story transitions to Acts chapter 28 we learn the island they’ve been stranded on is Malta, “where the islander showed unusual kindness.”

Acts 28:1-6

28 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. ²The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. ³Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

A venomous snake darts out of the campfire and bites Paul, and still, he seems unbothered by it all, shaking the snake off his hand. The people are suspicious then amazed and finally in awe.

Acts 28:7-10

⁷There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. ⁸His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. ⁹When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. ¹⁰They honoured us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

As the story comes to a close, Paul meets the local Roman official and proceeds to start a healing ministry on the island of Malta where their ship has wrecked, and everyone is stranded. After 3 months another ship had been secured and as the crew was ready to leave, the people of Malta “honoured us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”

Through this story, we see what can happen when you’ve chosen to build your home, your life, on Jesus. We see what can come from a life that is firm and secure, anchored to Jesus.

Here are a few things I saw in the story, and maybe you’d add some others:

Paul was completely content through the violent storm, the shipwreck, and being stranded. In fact, he seemed to take it all in stride and never once complained that his plans were ruined. He was very open-handed through it all.
Paul took advantage of the time he had while in Malta. He preached the gospel and healed the sick. He could have pouted and moped for 3 months, but instead, he made the best of the situation and treated it as an opportunity instead of a hindrance.
God supplied, through the people of Malta, everything the crew needed. They had food, a place to stay, a new ship, and the provision to continue their journey. God worked it all together for good (Romans 8:28).

You can trust that God will be faithful through the storms, shipwrecks, snakebites, and sufferings of life. He will work all things according to His will and purpose.

So, when the storms come, choose Him.

Choose His ways above all others.

Don’t stiffen your neck and reject good wisdom.

And like Paul, who knows where the journey may take you? You just might end up on a remote island somewhere for 3 months, ministering to people and growing in fellowship with others.

As I’ve mentioned many times today, it’s not a matter of if the storms of life come, it’s a matter of when they come. Will you be ready? Will you have a firm and secure anchor for your soul?

I can’t imagine a ship ever leaving port without an anchor on hand… So why are so many of us just floating through life with no real direction, no greater plan for adversity, and no anchor on board?

Maybe that’s you today.

Maybe you don’t see the need for an anchor.

Maybe you’ve never really had to plan ahead, or maybe you’ve had a relatively easy life and you don’t think too often about hardship or suffering.

Whatever the case may be, and wherever you find yourself today, I want to encourage you to choose Jesus. Choose Him over any other thing, even if it sounds good, and sounds like a secure option. I can assure you, that if it’s not Jesus, it’s not going to hold fast through the fiercest storms of life.

When the storm, or suffering, or adversity arrives, make sure you’ve got a firm grip on Christ… the solid rock to build life upon and the anchor that always holds.

Song: We have an anchor

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: Scripture speaks of God’s goodness and generosity over and over again. So we keep offering our gifts to God in gratitude, over and over again. May our gifts help to feed the world with God’s goodness for the sake of Christ, the Bread of Life.

Prayer of gratitude and for our world

Lord Jesus, we bring our gifts to you, knowing that you have given yourself for us. Bless these gifts. Make them a source of your abundant love in the lives we touch through mission and ministry in your name.

God of all generations, when we look back at our lives, we are grateful for your steadfast presence with us through uncertainty and upheaval.

We have witnessed tragedy and courage, generosity and selfishness, resentment and resilience, fear and faithfulness.

Teach us how to share our trust in you with the world around us in the days ahead.

God of each life and all life,
Keep us faithful, whatever happens.

God of nations and neighbours, we look back over the past few months, and we worry for the world.

We have witnessed both conflict and compassion, deep differences and calls for collaboration.

Send your Spirit to guide our leaders in politics, education, health care, in business, labour and community life.

Create understanding across differing perspectives for the well-being of those who struggle with their daily realities.

Sustain truth-telling and mutual respect in our common life.

God of each life and all life,
Keep us faithful, whatever happens.

God of healing and hope, we look around at the world and worry about the unpredictable climate, and its huge costs to communities and individuals.

We look around and see people without doctors, people on long waiting lists for care, people without homes they can afford or food on the table.

Hear us in this holy silence as we name in our hearts those people and situations that concern us deeply.

Keep silent for 20-30 seconds.

God of each life and all life,
Keep us faithful, whatever happens.

God of family and friends, we look around at our lives and give you thanks for all our sustaining relationships, those nearby and those we maintain over distance.

Where people live in loneliness, show us how to reach out.

Where people struggle with differences or discrimination, show us how to offer wisdom and encourage mutual respect.

Inspire us with Jesus’ all-embracing love and make us instruments of his peace and purpose. Amen.

Song: You walk along the shoreline (753)

Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in gratitude, relying on the presence of Christ as bread for your journey.
May the God who made us,
The Christ who mends us,
And the Spirit who gives us life
bless you with peace and purpose each and every day. Amen.

Response: God to enfold you …

Music postlude

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What are you holding onto?

Posted on August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
4 August 2024 10:00 am
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Loretta Lee
Elder: Gina Kottke

We gather to worship God

Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: God’s love for us is great!
P: God is like a loving parent, who watches over us.
L: God’s mercy for us is great!
P: God reaches out to us in healing patience and peace.
L: Praise be to God who has called us here.
P: Praise be to God whose love and mercy is given to us. Amen.

Opening praise: I lift my eyes up …

Prayers of approach and confession

God of majesty and mystery, you are the source of all that is.

Your breadth and depth are beyond our imagination.

Your grace defies our explanations.

You touch us with comfort or challenge when we least expect it.

Receive our prayer and praise this day as we seek the Bread of Life in this hour of worship.

We come to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, while your Holy Spirit prays within us and lifts our hearts to you.

God of mystery and mercy, you know the details of our lives.

You see the sin and the sorrow we bear.

You see how we take advantage of each other, and how we overlook one another.

We confess we do not always see what you see, O God, so open our eyes to the truth of our lives and cleanse our hearts with your grace.

Response: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah

Assurance of God’s grace

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

We listen for the voice of God

Scripture readings (NRSV): Mark 10:17-23 & Luke 15:11-20 & 18:18-30

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: What are you holding onto?

Today we continue our Anchor series together. And as a quick refresher from last week; an anchor is a simple invention used by fishermen and sailors for thousands, of years. The basic concept of an anchor is that it is used to secure a drifting vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from succumbing to the winds or currents.

An anchor is simple in its design, but very powerful in its function.

As you can imagine, an anchor needs to be strong enough to hold no matter how much tension and pressure is being put on it by the boat.

Bible commentator Alexander Maclaren says this about the strength of an anchor:

“A sure anchor is one which does not drag. It is not too light for the ship that rides by it. It has found its firm ground, its flukes are all right, and its belch. It does not deceive. The ship’s crew may trust it. An anchor which is steadfast, or, as the original word might be rendered, ‘firm,’ is one that will not break, but is strong in its own substance, made of good tough iron, so that there is no fear of the shank snapping, whatever strain may be put upon it. We may then say, generally, that this object of the Christian hope is free from all the weaknesses and imperfections which cleave and cling to other objects.”

Today we are going to look at what Maclaren calls the “weaknesses and imperfections which cleave and cling to other objects.” Because the truth is that there is only one firm and secure anchor in which we can put our hope. And that’s Jesus.

Main Teaching

Life is filled with false hope and security. We live in a world that wants to pretend as if all views are equal. We are told to celebrate everyone’s personal truth and experience. And while I can agree to that, to some extent and want to be open I would still remind you that if you get on an airplane destined for Alaska, your belief that it’s going to Hawaii won’t change where the airplane lands. Sometimes the reality is that you can believe whatever you want, but you still better pack your long underwear.

T.V., radio, movies and billboards… In this modern world, we are met with a constant barrage of promises; promises for health, promises for wealth, and promises of well-being from every source imaginable. From an early age, we begin to learn that if we can get strong enough, smart enough, and save enough money then everything will be alright. You just need to drive the right car or have the right job or get that new purse or take that vacation or get this injection or ask your doctor about that pill. But does it last?

In the book Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, his main character says, “We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact.”

Similarly, Marilyn Monroe rose to the highest heights of fame but when she reached the top, she warned those who might follow in her footsteps stating that “Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”

If you can just get that date, that raise, that dream car, that whatever you will be content. And that’s all fine and dandy, until of course, it’s not. And then the things you own end up owning you.

My dad used to say that the best boat is your neighbour’s boat, and the best camper is your friend’s camper. Yeah, toys are great, but you also have to clean them and store them and fix them and to some extent at least – they end up owning you.

It affects all of us. And we all fall for it, hook, line and sinker. All of us have, at one time or another, put our hope in things that couldn’t deliver.

This is one lesson we’ve all had to learn the hard way. Judas was the first person to drop Jesus in favour of a little money in his pocket, but he wasn’t the last.

So what is that thing in your life that calls for your allegiance and loyalty? Is it strength, smarts, or possibly saving accounts? Is it a job title, position, or a relationship? The good news today is that no matter what that thing is, I can promise you Jesus is better, stronger, more firm and secure. And He’s always ready for us to return to Him.

Billy Graham once famously addressed this saying The great question of our time is, “Will we be motivated by materialistic philosophy or by spiritual power?” But it’s actually even a little bigger than that and more specific.

If your anchor is a car, you’re gonna need a mechanic, but if it’s prayer, you won’t fare much better. If prayer were my anchor, then why didn’t I end up married to that nice girl in homeroom all those years ago? Because God says “No” to dumb ideas sometimes even if we cry about them.

Jesus Christ is himself the anchor and not how God answers our every whim and prayer.

I’m sure many of you have heard the story of the prodigal son before. And in it, we can clearly see how the younger son misplaces His hope. He chases after earthly things, transient pleasures, and experiences. But eventually, all the money and energy are gone, and he is left with nothing. For all the hope he must have had in creating a new life apart from his family and away from his father, it all ended when the hope he was holding onto slipped through his fingers. It wasn’t firm or secure.

Through this story, we get an amazing picture of divine love and acceptance. As the son realizes what he’s done, he decides to head home. His father, who had apparently been waiting and watching, saw him a far way off and ran to meet him. Embracing his wayward son, he welcomed him home. In the story, the father doesn’t scold or shame his son. He hugged him, kissed him, and eventually threw a massive dinner party to celebrate his return.

How many of us here today are tired of trying everything the world has to offer only to find it meaningless and hopeless? How many of us are secured to the anchor but bring it up from time to time so we can attempt to navigate the winds on our own? How many of us simply need to head home, to our heavenly Father? To the place where our hope, faith, and love have a firm and secure space to thrive. How many of us need to take stock of things, drop anchor and make sure we’re tied on tight?

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus goes into a lengthy teaching about our motivations, anxiety, fear, and then, of course, the hope we have in the kingdom. Let’s look at what Jesus says about earthly treasures.

Matthew 6:19-21 says, 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Earthly treasure is easily destroyed, or worse, stolen.

Some of you know this already but we bought a house a number of years ago when living in Regina. It was a dream come true, brand new, felt like we’d arrived somewhere, we’d made But then we moved. And the house market crashed. It didn’t sell. And so, we attempted to rent it out while trying to pay $3000/month rent in Steveston Village. It was a hard situation, and we hired a management company to take care of it. But the people they rented to never paid a full month’s rent. They stayed for quite a while and we gave them free Christmas/no rent to help out, and we paid to replace things that were still on warranty because the management company “took care of it” by buying new items and simply sending us a bill. Eventually, however, the tenets had to be evicted and after about 8 months of that, the tenets took sledgehammers through the house and bashed up the center island and the walls and destroyed the place. I’ve still never agreed to look at the pictures.

In the end, we had to borrow a lot of money just to fix the place up do that we could sell it at a loss. And I had a full-on mental breakdown. I was destroyed. What a failure of a husband and father I felt I was. To me, we were 20 years behind where we should be financially and at this point things had compounded into the question of whether we might ever be able to own again. In our new neighborhood, we would need to pay 3000 a month in rent but still save $200,000 for a downpayment. It would be impossible. And it had become clear that our kids would never be able to move out on their own.

My story is unique to me, but this is not an exclusive story in that this kind of thing happens to all of us at some point or another. Things get lost, damaged, or stolen all the time, important things.

Sometimes, you can do everything right and a “bad actor” can come in and tear your life apart.

That is, if you anchor is anything other than Jesus.

We can so easily be holding onto the wrong things… and this is why Jesus offers us so many correctives throughout Matthew chapter 6. In Matthew 6:31-34 Jesus tells us, “31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Many of us are worried about what to eat or what to wear. We’re worried about property values, sporting events and stocks.

Jesus offers us a divine solution to it all. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Seek the Kingdom.
Wrap your arms around the kingdom of God. Around Jesus, His teachings, and His people.

This is the divine corrective for misplaced and displaced hope. There are so many “weaknesses and imperfections which cleave and cling to other objects.” Things that are too easily destroyed, damaged, or stolen. In fact, as Jesus mentions, every single day we are alive has more than enough worry of its own.

It’s time we let go of all the false security and hold tight to Jesus. He is our hope, He is a firm and secure anchor for our souls. But it’s not always easy to do is it?

… You may recall the story of the “rich young ruler” in Mark’s gospel. In Mark 10:17-22 it states, “17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honour your father and mother.’[a]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth.

In this story, we see another passionate young man who has a desire to follow Jesus. He claims he’s held tightly to the teachings of the law, and observed the commandments since he was a child. But Jesus, in his perfectly Jesus-y way, identifies another thing in the young man’s life he’s got an even tighter grip on. When Jesus shows him he needs to let go of all his wealth in order to follow Him, the young man becomes very sad and he leaves. But it’s not because he’s rich. It’s because he doesn’t trust Jesus and he doesn’t trust the Father with his finances.

You see, this story highlights something we all struggle with, and it’s not necessarily money, although that could be it for you. No, it’s the fact that we grow attached to the things we place our hope in. Our treasure and our heart reside in the same places.

This young ruler clearly had a lot of attachment to his wealth. So much so, that he was unable to put it down in order to follow Jesus.

Or said another way, he was unable to loosen his grip on money in order to tighten his grip on Christ. And this specific picture leads us to turn our attention back to our own lives.

It’s a personal question to be sure but…

What are you holding onto today just a little too tightly?

What do you need to let go of so that you can grab hold of Jesus?

What time do you need to spend this week to get your priorities straight? How and when do you plan to do that?

And finally, how can you tighten your grip on the anchor of your soul making sure you are holding on to the only anchor that can keep you from drifting away – Jesus Christ? Amen.

Song: We have an anchor

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: The Letter to the Ephesians challenges us to lead a life worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus. We offer our gifts to God to support the calling we share to build up the body of Christ in the world God loves.

Good and generous God, bless the gifts we offer you this day, as well as our efforts to serve others in Jesus’ name. Use what we have and what we do to support the work of the Church here and around the world. Amen.

Prayer for our world

The world is filled with your goodness. All nature sings your praise.

We give you thanks for the stillness of night and the rest it brings, and for days filled with energy and creativity. Thank you for summer with its changing rhythms that renew us. We thank you, too, for new opportunities you create among us, and for new relationships that enrich our lives.

God of grace and goodness, Renew our trust in you.

You hold the future in your hands, O God, and so we put our trust in your guidance for these changing times. We pray for those who work on the seas and in the fields, providing food the world needs. We know their work is uncertain these days, so give them courage and strength to meet the challenges. We pray for those who work in essential services, often in demanding or dangerous situations. We depend on their willingness to serve, so encourage them, O God. Help them remain trustworthy as they face so many different calls for service.

God of grace and goodness, Renew our trust in you.

We pray for leaders and policy makers in our country and around the world. Make them alert to the temptations of their offices so that power is not abused. Awaken them to the needs of vulnerable community members. Keep all leaders trustworthy, so that justice is maintained without discrimination or favoritism.

God of grace and goodness, Renew our trust in you.

Gracious God, As we have received, free us to give.
As we have been loved, open us to love others.
As we have known peace, help us make peace.
In the freedom we enjoy, use us to work for freedom with justice for all.
These are gifts of your reign taking shape among us, and so we pray as Jesus taught us, that your kingdom may come:

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God! They will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took the bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. This is the Lord’s table. Our Saviour invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.

Song: Let us break bread together (548)

The Lord’s Prayer (sung – 469)

The Communion Prayer

It is truly right and our greatest joy to give you thanks and praise, eternal God, our creator. You have given us life and second birth in your Spirit. Once we were no people, but now we are your people. You claimed Israel as your chosen nation and raised up the church as a witness to the resurrection, breathing into it your life and power. From worlds apart, you gathered us together. When we go astray, you welcome us home. Always, your love has been steadfast.

You are holy, O God of majesty, and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. In love with you and in compassion for all, Jesus healed and taught, challenged and comforted, welcomed and saved. He formed a community, promising to be with his disciples wherever two or three were gathered, and sending them on his mission of hope and healing in the world. Jesus trusted his life to you, and went freely to his death, so the world might be set free from suffering and sin. You raised him from death and raise us also to live a new life with him. In the power of the Holy Spirit, you send us out to make disciples as he commanded.

Remembering all your mighty and merciful acts, we take this bread and this wine from the gifts you have given us and celebrate with joy the redemption won for us in Jesus Christ. Accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as a living and holy offering of ourselves, that our lives may proclaim the One crucified and risen.

Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. By your Spirit unite us with the living Christ and with all who are baptized in his name, that we may be one in ministry in every place. As this bread is Christ’s body for us, send us out to be the body of Christ in the world.

Sharing of the bread and wine

The Lord Jesus, on the night of his arrest, took bread, and after giving thanks to God, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me. Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord, until he comes.

Song: One bread, one body (540)

The prayer after Communion

Gracious God, may we who have received this sacrament live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we may show forth your gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hymn: Worship the Lord (555)

Sending out with God’s blessing

Go in gratitude, relying on the presence of Christ as bread for your journey. And may the God who made us, The Christ who mends us, And the Spirit who gives us life bless you with peace and purpose each and every day. Amen.

Response: The Blessing

Music postlude

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Anchored by Hope

Posted on July 28, 2024July 28, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am     28 July 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia     Vocalist: Vivian Hough
Children’s Time: Fionna McCrostie     Elder: Jane de Caen

We gather to worship God

Music prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: In the midst of life’s storms, God is there
P: What have we to fear?
L: In the darkness and terror, God is with us.
P: Of whom shall we be afraid?
L: Rise up, people of God, for you are loved and saved
P: Thanks be to God who cares deeply for us. Amen.

Opening praise: Forever God is faithful

Prayers of approach and confession

Lord, we come before you at this time and in this place because we see a world that is not right. And if we were honest, we’d have to admit that we are part of that. We are also not right. We make mistakes and help build more problems in the world too. When we do something wrong, however, we tend to excuse it. We see our own reasoning but not others. We allow ourselves leeway but hold others to account.

Our work lives home lives and political lives are not pure of wrongs and mistakes.

But we do know what few people in the world are prepared to do. We come and we admit that we are all sinners. We acknowledge that we are not above others. We admit that we see people in need and don’t always jump to help. Our hearts are loving and our lives beautiful, but we don’t always do everything we can.

Father, we confess our wrongs. We search our hearts, and we silently confess to you the things we could or should do better with.……

For our sins, we ask forgiveness.

And for the rest of our journey, we ask for clear vision, strength to do what is needed to be done and lives that turn from mistakes to service as you slowly make us more like the image of Christ our Lord.

Turn our deeds to you, our hearts to you and our lives to you. Amen.

Response: I waited, I waited on you, Lord

Assurance of God’s grace
According to the scriptures, the Lord forgive us our debts and takes our sins upon himself. But consequently, we are also told to forgive others just as we have been. In the name of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Now we must forgive as well. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Jesus loves me (371)

Story: Going on Vacation (Fionna)
I am a student just like some of you. I go to school, and I work hard to get good grades.

Just like some of you I am on my summer vacation. For part of my summer vacation, I went to Asia! I visited Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand.

Have any of you taken a vacation already this summer? Are some of you going on vacation later this summer? Where to?

Sounds relaxing!

Did you know that Jesus taught his disciples that it was important for them to take a vacation? Jesus’ disciples traveled from town to town telling others about God and His love for them. They traveled everyday preaching, teaching, and healing the sick. They worked so hard that they often didn’t even have time to stop to eat or sleep. They became very tired.

When Jesus saw how tired they were, he said to them, “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.” The Bible then says, “So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” I think it is important to notice a couple of things about what the Bible says.

First, Jesus said, “Come with me.” When we take a vacation, we need to remember to take Jesus with us. Some people never give Jesus a thought when they go on vacation. We should include Jesus in all that we do, even when we are on vacation.

Second, the Bible says the disciples went away to a quiet place. Their main purpose was to rest and renew their strength. Some people plan a vacation that is so full of activities that when they come home, they are more tired than when they left!

I hope that you have a great summer vacation. Don’t forget to take Jesus with you, and don’t forget to set aside some time for rest and relaxation. Then come back home refreshed and renewed!Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for vacation time when we can rest and renew our strength. Help us to remember to include you in everything we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: Jesus, Lover of my soul (676)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Hebrews 6:19 & Matthew 14:25-31

Response: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

Message: Anchored by Hope

Welcome everyone! It is an interesting day since we’re starting a new 4-week series called Anchor. Anchor, get it? Ship, anchor, Dayspring a Ship. Ships have anchors, our Session has anchor groups.

I’m “beating the dead horse”.

In part, I would like to see how some of these things work or don’t. Now, please just rush to tell me you love or hate it. Know that it’s a test. In this world, we are increasingly on our screens. Younger people tend to be much more visual learners than auditory learners. So if you are one of those people who thinks having a greater impact on the young people you know and wish were more apt to attend, then you should give this a fair shake. On the other hand, you should also know that the church is not McDonald’s catering to every whim and will. And an argument can be made that the less use of screens, the more unique a worship service is from the world around. I suspect, not to commit the fallacy of the middle ground, but in this case, the middle ground is probably best.

Or amazing volunteers in the media booth and Dr. Carr with those online, with music and with Lynn and others, the full staff and I, Communications, Inclusion and Worship committee will all have conversations around this.

This week we begin our series of four Sundays of being Anchored. You should know it’s built around a single Bible verse; Hebrews 6:19 which says;

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure…”

Actually – that’s not even the entire verse…I know it sounds pretty ambitious or perhaps odd to talk about one-half of one Bible verse for the next four weeks. But this is the power of the Bible, the living word. And I think lately I’ve been getting a little too deep and focused on minutia.

I don’t ever want anyone to think that they can’t read and understand the bible. Yes, doing word studies and research often gives you much deeper insight, but even on its surface, the Bible is a love story that almost anyone can read and understand easily.

It speaks to us in every season of our lives. Every circumstance, suffering, and victory. The Bible is truly amazing, and I hope one of the things you take from our series is a renewed interest in scripture and the practice of reading it whether that’s reading the narratives of the first five books or the History of the early church in Luke and Acts or the miracles of Jesus in Mark, the wisdom addressed to young people in the Proverbs or the poetry of the Psalms (the single most influential text world-over in all human history). In the next four weeks, I hope everyone will take some time to delve into the scriptures at home, as a part of how we all seek to hear God speak directly to our innermost being.

Now, getting back to anchors… most of us have seen one of these at one time or another. An anchor is a simple but amazing invention, used by fishermen and sailors for thousands, of years. The basic concept of an anchor is that it is a “device, normally made of metal, used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current.”

An anchor is simple in its design, but very powerful in its function.

As believers, we are encouraged to remain steadfast and committed to our faith through every trial and storm that life may bring. While storms rage around us, emotions heighten, and bad things happen, we as followers of Jesus Christ are anchored in a common hope… and as you may have guessed, that hope is a man called Jesus.

This idea is far from new. As one Bible commentator says the anchor “was an ancient Christian symbol for safety, security, and hope. It has been found on the walls of the Roman catacombs. Even within the first century, the cemetery of St. Domitilla includes them. Epitaphs from the third century abound. In the cemetery of St. Priscilla, there are seventy archaeological examples serving much in the way tombstones do today. Along with the ancient fish symbol we see (sometimes backwards) on the back of cars, the ChiRo, the Anchor was used specifically to mark Christian graves and carved during burial ceremonies as a sign of hope for families facing the loss of a loved one.

Of course, different people use different symbols. Today the Roman Catholic church tends to use the Crucifix (Jesus’ suffering on the cross). Protestants tend to use the empty cross in order the focus on Christ off of the cross and after the resurrection. Early worshipers tended to use fish, a shepherd’s crook and the anchor. All speak to hope.

But What is the specific “hope” the author of Hebrews is referring to in verse 6:19? What actually inspired the ancient church to use an anchor? Yes, of course, the answer is Jesus, but why is the conclusion being drawn that we have “this hope” and not another one?

To better understand what’s going on in Hebrews 6:19 is simple and it’s the same with almost any verse. We simply look at the context. We read the section of verses that come before this one, and at some point also read the first six chapters of Hebrews altogether which preceded this one. But for now, let’s start with Hebrews 6:13

Hebrews 6:13-17

¹³When God made his promise to Abraham since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”^[^d^] ¹⁵And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

¹⁶People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all arguments. ¹⁷Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Okay so a long time ago God promises that Abraham was to be the father of the Hebrew nation, and since God couldn’t swear on anything greater than himself He simply said, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” In the Scriptures, God made a simple promise to Abraham, and He stayed true to His promise.

Promises of course are easy to make, easy to break, and hard to keep. Regardless of the reason why people break promises, it is undeniable that promises frequently get broken. We’ve all had it happen to us, and we’ve all done it a time or two—or more—ourselves. We know firsthand that sometimes it’s hard to keep promises, and sometimes people don’t keep promises. That’s why when someone does keep his promise—-especially one that really costs him something—-we tend to sit up and take notice.

In his book, Up from Slavery, Booker T. Washington tells of meeting an ex-slave from Virginia who exemplified the kind of sacrifice that is sometimes involved in keeping promises. This man had entered into a contract with his master whereby he would be allowed to purchase freedom for himself by paying so much for so many years to his master. And, while he was earning the money to pay for himself, his master released him from service on his plantation, so that he would be able to labour wherever and for whomever he could earn the most money.

Well, the slaves went north to Ohio because the wages were better there. But each year, he would return to his master’s plantation to present that year’s payment to his master. After a few years, the U.S.A was embroiled in the Civil War, and President Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery and brought freedom to all the slaves, including this man. But he still owed his master three hundred dollars.

Now, think about this for a minute. This former slave was free. He didn’t have to pay his former master the final three hundred dollars to purchase his freedom—-he had already been made free by the Emancipation Proclamation. But he had made a promise. And he was a man of his word. And so he walked from Ohio back to Virginia and presented his former master with the full amount he had promised him, down to the last dollar.

Our God is a promise keeper even when it’s not deserved, even when it hurts. Like when he promised to be a final sacrifice for all and died upon the cross. Luckily, as Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.” He’s not going to have a midlife crisis or go on some crazy existential journey. He remains the same. And this is incredibly good news in a world that’s constantly changing and moving.

Be encouraged today. Especially those of you who fled from the sin and slavery of the world to take hold of Jesus. He is the hope, the specific hope that we have. He is firm and secure. He is an anchor for the soul.

To point here is that once we have committed ourselves to Jesus, we are able to “anchor” ourselves to Him.

This is how Albert Barnes, a biblical commentator, beautifully describes this reality: “Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship. It makes it fast and secure. An anchor preserves a ship when the waves beat and the wind blows, and as long as the ship holds to the anchor, the ship is safe, and those aboard remain safe. So, with the soul of the Christian. In the tempests and trials of life, his mind is calm as long as his hope of heaven is firm. If that gives way, he feels that all is lost.”

In the coming weeks, we’ll talk about the storms and tempests of life in addition to the temptation to hold fast to other things that we think may keep us safe. But for now, let’s consider how peaceful it must be to sleep and work on the deck of a ship whose anchor is steadfast and secure.

It’s obviously not a perfect metaphor, but this is in some way how it feels to be anchored to hope. If you are anchored, firm and secure – if your connections are strong and the anchor is trustworthy then… what room is there left for anxiety or fear?

With so much uncertainty in the world… excessive worry, trouble sleeping, illness, war, abusive governments, career and money worries, physical safety, broken relationships, depression, turmoil, confusion, division, death and dying … is it any wonder that our cities and cultures are struggling with epidemic levels of stress, and why nearly 60% of Canadians have been prescribed antianxiety or antidepressants at the same point? Friends, family, and neighbours, ourselves, we are literally grasping for anything firm and secure to hold fast to. But everything we grab gives way. Hope, wrongly applied, will often leave us worse off than when we started. These are not solutions in and of themselves (DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM). But these are not our ultimate hope.

The Apostle Peter knew this. You probably remember this story. It’s from Matthew 14:25-31 and it goes like this. ²⁵Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. ²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Everything was going well for Peter until he took his eyes off Jesus and began to have doubts. He forgot he needed to be connected with the anchor especially when things are all out of wack.

An anchor is simple in its design, but so very powerful in its function. Over the next few weeks, we are going to continue talking about anchors, boats, hope, and Jesus. In the meantime, it would be good for all of us here today to take some time this coming week to slow down and spend some time thinking about the things or people we’ve put our hope our hope in. Has someone you trusted ever let you down in the past? Has someone ever lied to you, misled, or manipulated you? Are you anxious or depressed? Have you ever felt fearful of people, places, and situations? Do you ever say, “If I get into heaven” instead of “When I get to heaven”? If you identify with any of the situations I just described, or possibly something I’ve missed, it doesn’t mean you’re weak, dumb, gullible, or broken. It means you’re human. I have felt all of these things and probably made others feel them too. And that makes me exactly the type of person Jesus came and died for.

In Mark chapter 5, there is a story about a woman afflicted with bleeding for 12 years. She spent all her money on doctors, with no relief. She was ostracized from her community and family, set aside and forgotten about. According to the levitical law of the time, everyone she touched and every place she sat became unclean, because she was unclean.

But then, Jesus shows up.

She pushes her way through the crowd and touches the very edge of His garment. Thinking to herself, “If I can just get to Jesus, He can heal me.” And He does. He heals her completely. Physically and socially, He restores her.

She is not alone.

Jesus is our hope, firm and secure.

And it is THIS HOPE we grab hold of.

Even if all you can muster right now is to grasp at just the very edge of His garment, then you’ve got more than enough. AMEN.

Song: We have an anchor

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: We acknowledge all the gifts and offerings that are given – the sacrifices of love that people make to each other and to this congregation. So, whether that is your prayer life – whether that is your phone calls to others – whether that is a cash donation or an offering ot time – we thank you and we offer that up to God.

Prayer for our world

Lord our God, we come into your presence, pleading with you to bring the world what it needs, so that people may be freed from all their pain and enabled to serve you. Let the power of Jesus Christ be revealed in our time. For he has taken on our sin that justice might arise on earth, that all might have life and might see your salvation, which you will bring when the time is fulfilled. Let your power be revealed in the world, and let your will be done, your name be kept holy, and all wrongs be righted in this turbulent and difficult age.

O Lord our God, you alone can help some things. You alone are the Savior of all peoples. In your great mercy you can bring peace. We look to you. And when we consider your Word, we remember the mighty promises you have given, promises which are to be fulfilled in our time and all times.

Father, especially today we pray a prayer of thanksgiving for Ruth’s celebration of 100 years.

We pray thanksgiving on the good news that new life is springing forth. We praise you for our homes and loved ones for leading couples together and for moments of grace and calm.

But, Lord, be with and aid us as we seek to be with those who suffer. For those who have lost a baby, we pray for care.

For those soon to conceive, we beg for safety.

For women in places where they are subject to unfair treatment, we ask for change.

Where people seek help for their children or others, provides strength to all.

Where votes are counted, we pray for wise thoughts.

Wherever people feel unloved, send your people to prove them wrong.

Where war rages on we ask for peace. Brighten the days of the people of Jasper.

Where tragedy arises, point out the helpers.

Where photos are lost, aid the people’s memories in their place.

While these things are beyond us, we also know that we have roles to play. While only you can address the fullness of these issues, we ask for the gifts and resources to do more than simply speak or pray. Aid us as your body in the world, but Lord, where only you can act, please do.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

Our anchor holds. Let us hold firm to our anchor in you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray Amen.

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

Sending out with God’s blessing

The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forward and for evermore. Go … with Christ. Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

Music postlude

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Mental Health Care Resources

Brad has asked that I provide a listing of mental health resources. The list below is not exhaustive, and I am not recommending any of them. Rather, I am just providing information. Addresses and phone numbers can be found via the internet using your search engine (e.g. Google) or in your phone book. Websites give you a good sense of what kind of services are offered and of how they are provided. I am happy to assist you to find a resource that meets your needs.

Alberta Health covers the cost of some therapeutic resources (ER, Soluna, and CASA – also private practice psychiatrists). Others offer services for varying levels of payment, including a sliding scale based on client income. Psychologists and some other services may be covered by private healthcare insurance and/or First Nation healthcare provisions). – (The Rev.) John C Carr, ThM, PhD

A. If you have a critical mental health issue (suicidal thoughts, heightened levels of anxiety, acute depression, etc.) go immediately to the Emergency Room of the nearest hospital.

B. Here are some counselling resources on the south side of the city of Edmonton.

Soluna Wellness Centre (Trauma Healing for adults)
Terwillegar Counselling Centre (Individual, Couple, and Family Counselling

C. Here are some other Edmonton resources for Individual, Couple, and Family Counselling.

Cornerstone Counselling
Catholic Social Services
The Family Centre
Community Counselling Centre
CASA: Mental Health Services for Children & Families

D. For problems with alcohol or non-prescription drugs, contact Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

Young Mr. Gartrell and a Problem with Arrogance

Posted on July 21, 2024July 24, 2024 by John

Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 21 July 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Ann May and Sam Malayang
Elder: 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
Silent preparation for worship

Call to Worship
L: All God’s works give thanks to the Lord.
P: We will lift up our voices in praise.
L: The Lord is near to all who call upon God in truth.
P: We will sing of God’s power and speak of God’s loving kindness.
L: Let us worship God who is faithful in all things.
P: Let us praise God’s holy name forever.

Opening praise: Here’s my heart Lord

Prayers of approach and confession
Gracious and generous God, we gather with grateful hearts, amazed by the abundance in your creation, abundance to share in food, in friendship and in faithfulness.
We gather with hopeful hearts, seeking another taste of your love for us.
Your love is both mysterious and miraculous, O God, with the power to transform times that overwhelm us and lives that hunger for hope.
By the power of your Spirit, move among us in our worship.
Open before us the new possibilities you create for us in Christ, the Bread of life, bread for our journeys.
Gracious and Generous God, we gather each week to be fed by your love, trusting that you will embrace us.
We confess we are not nearly so generous with our love.
We are often suspicious of others, fearful of what they seek from us.
We criticize what others do, but rarely question our own motivations.
Forgive us, O God, and awaken our generosity toward others.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness, O Lord

Assurance of God’s pardon

The Letter to the Ephesians declares that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, for we are being rooted and grounded in his love. The forgiveness he offers is a gift of this love that is wider and deeper than we can ever imagine. Receive God’s forgiveness and be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another.

Musical Offering: Sam and Ann May Malayang

We listen for the voice of God

Children’s time

Response: Open our eyes, Lord

Story: During WW2 an engineer at General Electric named James Wright was searching for a rubber substitute. In one of his experiments, he poured boric acid into a test tube filled with silicone oil and it became a soft malleable substance.

Imagine his surprise when he dropped a handful on the ground, and it bounced back. With a little more investigation, wright discovered that the substance could also be stretched, flattened, rolled and sculped into all kinds of different shapes. Around the labs, the substance became something of a novelty. It was fun. Soon many employees were taking some home to show their family, kids and friends.

Unfortunately, the new substance proved to have a rather short shelf life which made it useless for the purposes of a car. It was dismissed as interesting but worthless.

However, a writer named Peter Hodgson became interested with it and took it to a party. Hodgeson was a copywriter for a toy catalogue, had a feeling that the failed rubber substitute would make a good toy for kids.

After testing the material for safety, they packaged the stuff in little plastic eggs and added a name. Within months Silly Putty © became one of the hottest toys in American history.

Sometimes in life people can be treated as if they have no purpose but you just never know. In Jerimiah God says, “I have plans for you.” Even when you feel like you can’t do anything right or you don’t really matter – know this: You do. God has something amazing waiting for you.

Prayer: We thank you for our kids. We thank you for our parents. We thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

Transition music

Song: O love divine, how deep, how broad (205: vss 1, 2, 3, 6)

Today’s Message

Scripture reading: Ephesians 3:14-21 & Psalm 14

Response: Glory to the Father

Message: Young Mr. Gartrell and a Problem with Arrogance

A great many years ago as we were painting the upstairs youth room, when a young Will Gartrell chose to paint the first line of Psalm 14 on the wall. I had asked the youth to put someone of meaning to them on the wall. The message reads Ps 14 “A fool says in his heart there is no God.” I was thinking about that line the other day and as I started looking into it, I discovered that although I thought I knew what that meant, I really didn’t. So, I decided to talk about it today.

Atheism is on the rise these days although not as much as one might think. Poll after poll throughout the Western world actually reveals numbers for “unchurched,” “unaligned,” or “non-religious.” When I was in high school the line was generally about being “spiritual but not religious” which to me sounds more like a fortune cookie than a stance. Similarly, many friends of mine were raised Christian and love Jesus but don’t much like the church. Sometimes it’s stronger than that. A friend told me “I love Jesus, but I HATE the church”.

It’s a difficult line to balance on, no doubt, but I understand it. Still, it strikes me as a little disingenuous. The Church scripture says, is the Bride of Christ and in fact, that’s the imagery Jesus uses most often for those who love him. So it has to be asked, if someone told you that they love you but they really HATE your spouse or your child, would you trust that they mean it when they say that they love you?

I sort of doubt it.

Now of course there are people to claim no particular belief in the divine. While that idea seems to have barely existed until the 5th century CE it took on some traction in Western Europe just after the Enlightenment. So is that who this verse is talking about?

In 2005-2006 Gallup Poll surveyed many countries for their religiosity and suicide. And as it turned out, the more religious, the less suicidal. This is particularly true of teens. Teens who regularly attend worship services are significantly less likely to fall into depression (the highest rate of suicide) “Religion/Spirituality and Depression: What Can We Learn from Empirical Studies?” Dan Blazer, M.D., Ph.D. [The American Journal of Psychiatry, VOL. 169, No. 1 (1/1/12)]

Atheism isn’t all bad though – You get an extra day to play. You get to proclaim that there is no “Capital T” Truth in any real sense, so even contradictory ideas are fine. Morality exists in many forms but it’s always subject to the moment. Christianity is definitely not (or at least isn’t supposed to be) a cookie jar from which you can take what you like and leave what you don’t. To be surrendered to God through Christ is to lay down your life every day • Every Ambition • Every Relationship • Every Moral Standard • Every Value.

Plus, with Atheism — you get to keep a little extra change in your pocket. Your understanding of a possible afterlife can be whatever you want, you can reject Heaven (the idea of being in the presence of God) but hey, keep Heaven without him. Masses of people like to keep the idea that your loved ones exist on some godless plain but in some vague ways seem to believe that all the people they like get in.

Please note that Atheists aren’t bad people! And religious traditions without a deity like Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism (which is not about polytheism but rather moving beyond all possible gods to a need for none) all produce moral people. Still, I have to pick on them a little because they are a really loud squeaky wheel for such a small group.

Don’t stop me if you’ve heard this one.

An atheist was rowing out on the lake when suddenly the Lock Ness Monster appeared and attacked the man, grabbed him from the boat and held him high in the air about to eat. The man panicked due to the seriousness of the event and shouted, “God help me!” But just then the monster as well as everything else around the man went still. It was as if someone had just hit the pause button on all existence except for him. Next, a voice boomed from the heavens saying, “You don’t believe in me and yet now you beg for my help?” The man looked up to locate the source of the voice but found nothing discernible. So, he responded to the sky itself “Well,” said the man, “until 10 seconds ago I didn’t believe in the Loch Ness Monster either.”

Certainly, tragedy has a way of calling us home. As the adage goes: In 1954 war correspondent Ernie Pyle said, “There are no atheists in the foxholes,” And it’s generally been seen as ringing pretty true. And while famed atheist Richard Dawkins was stated that he could not guarantee he wouldn’t have a death bed change of heart he did add a section to his website for soldiers to respond to the quotes.

I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but true atheists seem to be pretty hard to find for me. When push comes to shove most people have an idea about God, they just have a hard time with a lot of other parts of religious life and particularly, specificity and structures.

As the bible makes clear, if there is no Lord we should all just “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” for death comes to all. Most troubling to me is that some individuals will never feel the same kind of peace and hope that I feel. Second to this is the idea that without a created purpose, there are no laws which can be deemed true or eternal. Everything is subject to whims, whether personal, governmental, collective and they are always temporal. We should not forget that when collections of people make their own rules we end up with Hitler and Stalin. It is the inevitable end when any society determines what is good and what is evil for itself.

Jeffery Dahmer killed 17 human beings and ate them! In a statement before his death, he said, “If a man is a product of blind chance and there is no God and there is no meaning to life then who are you to tell me what is right and wrong?” And he’s got a point. But here’s the part that’s really uncomfortable. Interestingly Dahmer made this statement to challenge another inmate. By this time he had become a Christian and had been meeting weekly with Rev. Roy Ratcliff for bible study and come to believe in Jesus, see the wrongs he had done and was baptized. And yet he had no way to put right what he had put wrong. God was his only possible refuge.

Now if you want to know how loving and forgiving God is, consider the possibility we might share heaven with sinners worse than us. But also, thank God for that possibility because if God can bring Dahmer back to the light just imagine what God can do for people who cheat on their taxes and spread rumors.

Not long ago, famous disturber and comedian Ricky Gervais went on late-night TV with Stephen Colbert and made an argument he makes quite frequently. He asked Colbert, a Sunday School teacher and practicing Roman Catholic why Colbert had rejected some 3000 other gods from Zeus to the giant spaghetti monster in the sky but accepted just one. Gervais then follows this up with a pointed statement further stating that “then I just believe in one less god than you do” to the roar of the audience. And it’s a clever line (as long as you don’t think about it much). imagine for a moment that John Smith is murdered by a man named Phil. At the court case, the lawyer for John said, “You believe Phil killed John Smith and I don’t. Well, I don’t think anybody killed Phil; he died accidentally and without any explanation. There are 8 billion people on earth, and you don’t believe that 7,999,999,999 of them didn’t killed John Smith. So, I just believe in one less murderer than you do.” Do you think people might see the problem with that line of reasoning a little clearer?

Now here’s a rather significant issue:

In ancient times, there do not appear to be any people who didn’t believe in the existence of a God. In fact, the English translations here are often lacking. Likely the author is not speaking of someone who outright rejects God’s existence so much as they have no regard for it. The idea was more like saying “There is no God for Me.” In this way, it is not really about belief and disbelief in God but rather ambivalence about the impact of such a possibility.

In addition, the term used here for God is the generic word for God “Elohim” rather than the covenant name specifically used for our God “YAHWEH.” In other words, it’s like saying, I will have none of these gods tell me what to do.

On top of that, a fool in biblical language was not a description of mental ability but of one who was morally deficient. A fool is a person who leaves God out of their consideration even if there might be one.

Another problem with the way I first read these words arises because Psalm 14:1 says, one thing but the rest of the psalm fills in the details. I am sure most of us have and can quote the first portion of the text. The second half of the verse deals with the fool’s characteristics and we can’t understand the fool until we read about the fool described in that portion. The second half of VS. 14:1 says, “THEY ARE CORRUPT, and THEIR DEEDS ARE VILE.” In verse 4 it states that they “confound the plans of the poor” meaning mistreatment and moreover rejecting the idea that God cares for them.

Again, this sounds very harsh. And at first, you might think the “They” are those who disbelieve in the existence of God and because of that do VILE things. However, the end of the verse says, “THERE IS NO ONE WHO DOES GOOD.” That’s why Psalm 10:13 says, “Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, ‘You will not call us to account’?” It is because the wickedness proceeds the godlessness. They are wicked and SO they renounce God. This does not mean that people who say there is no God are evil. It says that evil people believe there is no God, no consequences, no laws that one cannot explain away.

Worse still, the chapter adds that “None” or “No person does good” not just the fool. Verse 3 says that when God looks on humanity God sees that “They have all gone astray, they are all alike corrupt; none does good, no, not one.” That’s why Psalm 10:13 says, “Why do the wicked renounce God, and say in their hearts, ‘You will not call us to account’?” Why is all of this important to me? Well because the Psalmist is talking about everyone (at least at one time or another).

The psalm reveals that “Those who say there is no God” do not have a mental problem, but rather those who have a moral problem will proudly proclaim that there is no God because they get away with doing evil things. It is not that a person does not believe in God, so much as that they won’t believe in God. And considering there really weren’t many if indeed any people at this time and place of the world who didn’t believe in some or more likely a great host of gods were all evil because they rejected God, these verses must by nature speak to rejection rather than reasoned objection. The fool is instead those who are evil rejecting God so that they can enjoy sin, indulge in it, excuse it, and prefer it more than the knowledge of God.

In 1972, a song reached the Top 40 in the United States by the R&B group the Main Ingredient. The group consisted of a trio with Cuba Gooding Sr. (father of the actor), Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons Jr. Their version of the hit song “EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL” rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the fall of 1972 and would go on to reach Certified Gold Record Status.

Some of you may know the tune. This song describes how everyone has their heart broken at some point, and the chorus goes like this:

And You Brave People! You Can Sing It with Me If So Bold.

Everybody plays the fool, sometimes
There’s no exception to the rule
It may be factual, it may be cruel, I ain’t lying
Everybody plays the fool

Today just as in the Psalmists’ time everybody plays the fool. We all mess things up and we generally do it thinking we won’t get caught – as if no Lord is not watching over us.

And that’s the big mistake I made before looking into these verses. The mistake I made before I started looking into this Psalm is that I figured a “fool” is defined as a stupid person or someone who does a senseless act or can’t admit the miracles they see each day and with their own eyes. They poke fun at, rob, and make miserable those who are trying to live obedient lives before God; they do it “as easily as they eat bread” says the Psalm.

But it’s clearly much more about arrogance than it is about belief.

–Imagine someone with an exaggerated sense of his own self-importance, maybe the richest and best-known businessman in town.

–He drives off in his car knowing he has a system full of narcotics. And he puts the pedal to the metal, driving well beyond the speed limit.

–His friend is with him. His friend says: “You’d better watch out, or the police will catch you!” “Huh!” says the driver roughly, “There are no police, at least none who would dare to give me a ticket.” It’s not so much that the man doesn’t believe police exist, it is that he discounts them. He knows the laws, but he’s flaunting them and disregarding those whose job is to enforce them.

“They don’t count. They won’t change what I want to do,” he says. But someday if he doesn’t crash and die first, his luck is gonna run out.

This Psalm likewise addresses the dangerous folly of those who deny God, who live as they please, believing neither God nor anyone else will ever hold them to account.

But don’t we all do that to some extent? I know I do.

Now just in case it isn’t clear by now, I am not saying, in fact, I am not saying because the text is not saying, that people who don’t believe in God are all kinds of evil. That’s not it. And if you meet a kind atheist, please don’t attempt to argue them into faith. It wastes their time, and your time and makes us all look silly. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to ask them about the kind of god that they don’t believe in because chances are, you won’t believe in that kind of god either. Try it and see. And really listen and feel free to tell them about the God you do believe in. But just leave it at that and afterward, close your one mouth and open your two ears and keep listening closely asking them to share more.

Do you know the origins of the word fool? The English words “fool,” and “folly,” come from the Latin “follis,” which means “bellows.” It described a person’s puffed-up cheeks. Follis indicates that a fool is what some might call a windbag. I kind of like that image.

In the end, it is a fool who says there is no God because the fool knows deep down that there is but chooses to act as if there is not. And her is the really hard part: to some extent that’s all of us; that’s why the verse reads “none are good, not even one”. Because everybody plays the fool, sometimes. Our job is to make those foolish moments as few and far between as possible. Amen.

Song: We have an anchor

We respond to serve God: Our time of giving

Reflection on giving: The story of Jesus feeding the crowd with a few loaves and fishes is a parable of God’s power to multiply our gifts offered in Jesus’ name. So make your offering to God as you are able, and trust that God will create abundance from what we have to give.

Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves

God of mystery and miracle, You offer calm in our storms and challenge in our satisfaction. We give you thanks for all the ways we have tasted your abundance, in friendship and fellowship, in food on our tables and protection on our streets.

Amid these everyday satisfactions, keep us mindful of those who lack the necessities of life and who find each day unpredictable and anxious.

Like Jesus’ disciples caught on the rocky sea, we fear the storms of life.

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

Throughout the world and in our own communities, we witness increased divisiveness and hatred toward those considered a threat. So many people face turmoil in war and upheaval.

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

In so many countries and in our own neighbourhoods, we witness great inequity and deep need for even the staples of life.

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

In our communities, congregations and families, we witness uncertainty about the future and hope for leaders who are wise and trustworthy.

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

In our own lives and the lives of so many others, we witness depression and anger, anxiety and despair. We pray that you will calm the turbulence within and around us.

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

We hold before you in these moments of silence the people and places in need of your healing presence this day.

(Silence for twenty seconds)

In the unrest around us, call out to us.

Come near to us and overcome our fear.

In the face of what all that may trouble us, we thank you for your steadfast love and faithful presence, the calm centre we can claim in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Song: Crown hm with many crowns (274)

Sending out with God’s blessing: Responsive Benediction

All: For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

L: Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Response: Benediction (as you go)

Music postlude

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