Worship on the Fifth Sunday of Easter
10:00 am May 18, 2025
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalists: Peter and Cheryl Sheridan     Children’s Time: Lynn Vaughan
Welcoming 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
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L:  O praise the name of the Lord, who reveals new visions to His people
P: We gather to celebrate the freedom of faith and the courage to follow.
L: As Peter learned to embrace change, let us be open to God’s guidance.
P: In humility and hope, we come to worship our ever-loving Lord.

Opening praise: Revelation song

Prayers of humble confession
Holy One, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we experience you,
the blessed Trinity, ever three and ever one.
As God the Parent, you bless us with creative hope and new possibility.
As God the Son, you open the doors of your realm for us and welcome us into abundant life.
As God the Holy Spirit, your pour your gifts upon us so that we might know your love in deep and transformative ways.

We praise you for the many ways you touch our lives and draw us closer to you.
As we gather here in your mystery and majesty, fill us with the vision of your glory, that we may always serve and honour your holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, creating, redeeming and renewing us as one God,
now and forever.

God of mercy and majesty, you are slow to anger and swift to forgive.
You have shown us the depth of your love, and yet we are reluctant to love others even a little.
You have shown us compassion and forgiveness, and yet we walk away from one another without concern.
You show us the way of service, and yet we put up barriers and keep your gifts for ourselves.

When looking out at the world and ask why is this, this way, and that, that way, and we blame you for the things humans do to one another. And rarely do we remember that you put us here to change the world for the better.
Forgive us, O Lord.
Create in us new hearts.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Response: Glory, glory hallelujah

Assurance of God’s love

 God is ready to forgive for God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in unswerving love.

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Be at peace with God, with yourself and with one another through the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Jesus, we are gathered (514)                                 

Children’s Time

Do you like eggs? There are so many different ways to fix eggs, how do you like yours – fried, scrambled, hard boiled? You can make an omelet or a breakfast burrito. You can eat them by themselves or mix them with chicken or tuna to make sandwiches. Eggs are also used to make delicious treats such as cookies, cakes, and pies.

Did you know that some eggs are white and some eggs are brown? Have you ever wondered why? Well, the answer is quite simple: chickens with white feathers lay white eggs and chickens with reddish feathers lay brown eggs. Is there any difference in white eggs and brown eggs? Well, yes, white eggs are white and brown eggs are brown.

“What about on the inside?” you may ask. Well, let’s see. (break a brown egg and a white egg into a clear glass bowl.) Can you see any difference? No. On the inside, they look just the same. It is also interesting to note that the colour of the shell has nothing to do with an egg’s quality, nutritional value, or flavour. On the inside, all eggs are the same.

You know, that is true of people, too. Some people may be light-skinned and have blond hair and blue eyes. Others may be dark-skinned and have brown hair and brown eyes. On the outside, they may look different, but on the inside, they are the same. WE are all the same!

Simon Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. He was a Jew, and he believed that God sent Jesus only for the Jews. So one day, God gave Peter a vision that showed him that He created all people and that He loved them all the same. After God showed him that, Peter said, “I now realize that God does not show partiality. He accepts people from every nation and all over the world who want to be part of His family.” God also showed Peter that he must “tell the good news that Jesus is the Lord of all and that everyone who believes in him will be forgiven of their sins.”

There is an old-time church song called “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” It reminds us that Jesus loves everyone the same, no matter what they look like on the outside. And WE are also meant to love all of God’s children, young and old, the same. Do we do that? I hope so!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to love others as you do – treating everyone with the same respect. Help us to tell the good news that Jesus is Lord of all and that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness in his name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

 Song: In the presence of your people (427)

 Scripture reading: Acts 11: 1-18

Response: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Message: The Next 2000 Years

Today, I won’t discuss the verses we’ve just read. At least not exactly. Instead I want to say that I was struck by the statement about the Holy Spirit being poured out on Peter and how it changed his entire life. And I just thought… You know, Presbyterians do a good job of talking about the Father, and we do good theological work on the person of Jesus. But other than saying “I believe in the Holy Spirit” when we recite the Apostles Creed, we don’t tend to talk about the Spirit much. That’s a problem.

It’s been said that the Father received all the glory for the first 2000 years (The Hebrew Bible and Temple), the Son received the glory for the following 2000 years (The New Testament and Church), and it’s the Spirit who will receive the glory for the next 2000 years (The Word written on our hearts and lived out).

Given the massive impact of Pentecostals and charismatic churches in Africa, Asia and South America, I think that’s probably true. So, let’s talk about the Holy Spirit today because we don’t do that often enough.

Living Faith (one of just three Standards of Belief we have in the Presbyterian Church) says this:

God the Holy Spirit 4.1

The Holy Spirit is God with Us 4.1.1

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the triune God and is One with the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life, the Renewer and Helper of God’s people. By the Spirit, God is present in the world, the source of all goodness and justice. By the Spirit, God convincts the world of sin and testifies to the truth of Christ. By the Spirit, Christ is with his church.

4.2 The Holy Spirit Enables People to Believe

4.2.1 The Spirit enables people to receive the good news of Christ, to repent of their sins, and to be adopted as children of God. As we hear and respond to the Gospel, we freely turn to Christ. When we have turned and repented, we recognize that the Spirit enabled us to believe.

4.2.2 The Holy Spirit accompanies us on our journey of faith. We may not always be sure of this presence. Yet God’s Spirit is with us, sometimes gently, sometimes powerfully, guiding us in the midst of life, our comfort and our help. The Christian life is a pilgrimage: it begins continues, and ends in God.

4.3 The Holy Spirit Forms and Equips the Church

4.3.1 By the Spirit, Christ calls the church into being and unites us to himself and to each other. The Holy Spirit is in all who know Christ.

4.3.2 The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. We pray as a church to be guided into truth, knowing that such truth may disturb and judge us.

4.3.3 The presence of the Holy Spirit is seen in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, loyalty, gentleness, and self-control.

4.3.4 The Spirit blesses us with various gifts. We seek to discover those gifts and to use them for our Lord. Faithful, loving service is a sign that the Spirit is present. The presence of the Spirit is evident where people are made whole, encouraged, and enabled to grow in Christ.

4.3.5 Come, Holy Spirit

What do we really know about the “still small voice”?

What the Hebrew Bible calls most often the “Spirit of Elohim” is called in the Talmud and in Midrash “Spirit of the Holy” (ruacḥ ha-Kodesh). But to be honest, it’s often hard to tell what exactly is being talked about.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would come and rest on people for a time, but was said to come and go. There is also the reality that while Ruach ha-Kodesh is given personhood, most Jewish readers thought of the Spirit more like the acting hand of God than something more unique, as presented in the New Testament much more clearly. In certain places, although the Ruach ha-Kodesh may be named instead of the Father, it was sometimes (even by Jewish readers) understood as being something distinct; and, like everything earthly that comes from heaven, the Ruach ha-Kodesh is composed of light and fire whenever an appearance is made.

In Gen.1:2, God’s spirit hovered over the formless matter, thereby making Creation possible. But we don’t usually think of the Spirit as co-creator, do we?

The word (or Title; or Name) itself, “Ruach,” literally means Wind or Breath. The Spirit is the Breath of God. But it’s a Breath, with its own will.

One of the most interesting features of God’s breath is that He(?) sometimes speaks with a feminine voice and other times, speaks with a masculine voice. In fact, in Proverbs, the Spirit is depicted under the Title “Lady Wisdom.” In the end, the Holy Spirit really has no gender (“for God is Spirit”), but it’s interesting nevertheless and, for some reason, doesn’t seem to garner much attention.

In fact, the spirit rarely gets any attention at all, really.

We say we are trinitarian and that God is One but in Three Persons. But that’s about all we say. We very rarely talk about the Holy Spirit, especially in non-Pentecostal or non-charismatic churches.

This isn’t entirely a new problem.

The Apostles Creed has this huge, detailed section about Jesus’ birth, life, teaching, death, deity, and resurrection, and then about the Spirit, which says simply, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” And then that’s it.

The Nicene Creed is better. It says, “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
Who has spoken through the prophets?”

The Reformed Confessions do it a lot better: The Belgic Confession has 22 references to the Spirit, and the Second Helvetic Confession of Reformed Theology has 35 references to the Spirit. But how many of you have copies of the Second Helvetic Confession on your bedside stand? I sure don’t.

In the end, it seems like there is a whole person of the Trinity that we never really acknowledge unless it happens to be Pentecost Sunday.

So, let’s remedy that a bit today.

Luke 1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will be upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (It is the Holy Spirit that is involved in the conception of Jesus.)

Okay, so that’s probably one you know.

How about this one?

In 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, it says, ¹⁰ These are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹ For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (In other words, we know nothing about God, except through what the Spirit tells us.)

I really like Psalm 139:7-10. It says,

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.

There is no way to escape the Spirit of God.

How about something terrifying? Did you know the bible says that there is a sin people can commit that God will never forgive? Well, well, well…

Let’s take out those pew Bibles and turn to Matthew 12:30-32.

It says, ³⁰ ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. ³¹ And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.³² Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

So, what is this Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that is the unforgivable sin? Well, that’s your homework for the week. You’re disciples of Jesus. You tell me.

Personally, I wouldn’t spend too much time being afraid. After all, the Holy Spirit enters and establishes a new relationship with us and the Father, but this is only the beginning of His work in us. The Holy Spirit marks us as belonging to God. Eph. 1:13-14 says, He is our seal of salvation so that God can see from Heaven and know us to be His sons and daughters. He becomes our direct line, through Jesus, to the Father. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and the need for righteousness in our lives. The Spirit makes us better people.

JOHN 16:8 says, ⁸ When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: He teaches us to obey the Lord and to trust Him to direct our every step, and to put all our cares on Him, for He is greater than any problem. Through the Spirit, we learn to develop greater reliance on the Lord, and less on human wisdom, or strength, or our own abilities.

The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Grace (Heb. 10:29), Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge (Isa 11:2), Spirit of Glory (1 Peter 4:14) and Counselor (John 16:7). As well as advocate in the book of Acts and is described as if He is our lawyer arguing our case before the Father when we sin.

He is unique and divine according to Acts 5:3-4, Eternal and not created according to Heb. 9:14, omnipresent according to Ps 139:7 and omniscient as it says in John 14:26.

The Holy Spirit is a unique person apart from the Father and Son who, according to Scriptures, has his own Knowledge (Rom. 8:27), has her own will (1 Cor. 12:11) and has feelings and emotions (Matthew 3:16-17). In fact, the Holy Spirit is even described as feeling pain when we sin.

Have you ever noticed that in creation it does not say, “Now I will create.” Instead, it says, “Let US create man in OUR image”. Or have you ever noticed that it is the Holy Spirit that is hovering over the waters of the deep during creation and not the Father? The Holy Spirit is there at the very beginning (in the very first line in our bibles in Gen 1:1), and He is also there in the final line of our Bibles at the end of Revelation. He is, together with the Church, calling out to Jesus, “Come.”

In John 16:8, it says that the Holy Spirit acts as our conscience and convicts us of sin. He is also the one who counsels or speaks to our inner being in times of pain (John 14:16-17). He is the one who brings us an assurance of our salvation (Rom 8:15) and teaches us through the written word (1 Cor. 2:13). And She does that through the word She inspired to be written in the first place (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Followers of Jesus are called to be guided by the Spirit and to walk in His ways (Gal. 5:16; 26).

The Holy Spirit acted in the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 3:18), speaks to our hearts and calls us to acts of service (Acts 13:4) and gifts us with spiritual gifts to do those good works (1 Cor 12:7-11).

It was the spirit who filled Peter and informed him in our reading that the old law has been fulfilled. He informs us that all those dietary laws and ceremonial laws of the Old Testament have served their purpose – which is why we don’t have to avoid shell fish and pork – Peter get up kill and eat for I have made them clean.

The Spirit seals the salvation of the elect who will then someday enter into the heavenly kingdom (Eph 1:13-14). And although it’s popular for us to pray and ask Jesus into our hearts, the fact is Jesus is resurrected and alive in the body just as he ascended in the body, and so as Rom 8:9 says, it’s actually the Holy Spirit that lives inside us and the one we invite into our hearts. And this is the reason we are together called a Holy Temple (1 Cor. 3:16) because we are where God’s spirit resides and not in a building – in us.

For me the most beautiful thing we learn in scripture about the Holy Spirit is that it’s the Spirit who is said to carry our prayers to the Father (Rom. 8:11) and perhaps most importantly, takes our words (as human and as flawed as they are) as well as the very deepest groanings of our hearts (which we might not even fully understand) and then makes them sound “beautiful” to the ears of the Father. (Rom. 8:26-27) If you’ve ever felt as if you don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter because the Spirit makes our thoughts and our prayers perfect to the ears of the Father. That’s why some Pentecostals insist that simply making sounds is a form of prayer and why “speaking in tongues” is a thing.

When we talk about God the Father, we can understand the concept of a Father. When we talk about God the Son, again, we can understand a Son, but what happens when we say, God the Holy Spirit? People can understand something they see or know, but we can’t see the Spirit. However, the Holy Spirit is God; He’s not an it, but a person of the Godhead, and she is in every believer. The Holy Spirit does today what Jesus did 2000 years ago. He is God present in the world and within us.

When we accept Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, we receive the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit is inside every believer, all the time. He doesn’t come and go or rest for a while but stays. You don’t have to experience earth-shaking “feelings” or emotions; you don’t have to jump, shout, cry, roll on the floor, or have any such outward displays of physical emotions to be indwelt with the spirit. But if you do, the spirit carries that to the Father as a prayer.

But you also can’t escape him. So, the next time you hear that still small voice in the back of your head, you’ve gotta wonder… Is that voice just you… Is it your concience OR is She… He… the same Spirit of Wisdom who hovered over all creation and now lives inside you?  Amen.

Song: Jesus shall reign where’er the sun (275 vss 1.2.4.5)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayers of the people
Holy God, we bless you for bringing us into communion with you, and offering us the unity in love you share as the blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Help your church in all its branches discover the unity for which Christ prayed. Strengthen and equip your people in that unity.
By your Spirit, lead us to work together in building your realm, helping each other flourish according to your will.

Draw the human family together in the love that unites us with you, O God.
We pray for our nation and our local communities.
Where we have acted without regard for the needs of others, let us work for justice and fairness.
Where we have been blind to the pain of the oppressed, let us seek peace and reconciliation with those whom we have overlooked.
Especially we ask that you would guide all people in Canada to seek out reconciliation with our indigenous neighbours and establish relationship of mutual respect and honour.

Compassionate and loving God, we pray for all who are facing chaos or despair in these days.
Lift up in love those who find their illness unrelieved and those who love them most.
Our God, we thank you for this community of ministry and fellowship.
Strengthen us in the unity of Christ’s body.
Keep us forever faithful in worship and equipped for the service you call us to.
We pray all these things through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Song: Crown him with many crowns (274 vss 1,2,3,5)

Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in peace. Love and serve the Lord.
And may the blessing of God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
be with you now and always. Amen.

Response: He is Lord

Music postlude

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on Christian Family Sunday and Mothers Day
10:00 am      May 11, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia      Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie
Welcoming Elder: Heather Tansem     Reader: Wesley Childs
Children’s Time: Brad

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: The Lord is our Shepherd, and on this day of celebration, we shall lack nothing.
P: As family in Christ, we gather with gratitude for our Good Father.
L: Let us embrace the love and provision He offers us.
P: With thankful hearts, we worship together, honoring our family bonds.

Opening praise: Holy Spirit, you are welcome here

Prayers of approach and confession

God of the ages. God of today.
You are compassion; our cup overflows.
You are hope; you lead us into green pastures.
You are truth; you lead us beside quiet streams.
You are life; you restore our souls.
Morning, noon and night, O God, you are the source of our joy.

We gather to worship you as one family of your people, honoring you as our Creator,
trusting you as our Saviour, celebrating you as the Spirit who gives us life.
Trusting in your compassion and grace, we confess to you our sins:

Merciful God,
we confess we stray from your ways like lost sheep;
we follow the devices and desires of our own hearts, ignoring the needs of others and seeking more for ourselves.
We judge ourselves more generously than others and fail to offer others the forgiveness we seek from you.
Forgive the ways we betray your love,
and return us to your paths of truth and mercy.

Response: Glory, glory hallelujah

Assurance of God’s mercy

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. Receive God’s forgiveness with faithful hearts, and be at peace with God, with yourself and with each other.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Jesus we are gathered (514)

Children’s time, Repeat-after-me Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: She comes sailing on the wind (403)

Scripture: Psalm 23

Response: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Message: “The Shepherds Promise”

Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and frequently recited passages of the Bible worldwide. Its prevalence and use are broad across various contexts. It is often read at funerals and memorial services because its imagery of God as a comforting shepherd offers solace and assurance of God’s presence, even in the “valley of the shadow of death.” It is regularly recited in church services across Christian denominations and at multiple times of year. In Catholic tradition, Psalm 23 is part of the Liturgy of the Hours and is often incorporated into the rites of anointing of the sick and last rites. Beyond religious contexts, it is frequently quoted in literature, music, and films. And it’s memorized too – in King James English typically.

That version reads as follows:

King James Version (1611)

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Psalm conveys ideas of comfort, guidance, trust and hope. In Jewish tradition, Psalm 23 is a cherished and frequently recited passage. It’s used regularly at funerals and recited during mourning to provide comfort and hope to grieving people. It is sometimes sung or recited as part of the Shabbat service. It’s often included in daily prayers. It is read over the ill. It’s read during Yizkor, the memorial service conducted on Yom Kippur, and other major Jewish holidays.

Can I read you the Psalm as it’s recorded in the Jewish Study Bible for English readers: The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me to water in places of repose. He renews my life, He guides me in the right paths as benefits his name, though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness. I fear no harm, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table for me in the full view of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My drink is abundant. Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord, for many long years.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The version most of us probably know begins the same way: The Lord is my shepherd.

The Shepherd was a metaphor for kings in Israel and the ancient Near East. But in the bible, the Lord is often called the Shepherd of Israel as well. At the time, it was a common way of referring to God. Here, David, the king and shepherd of the people, acknowledges God as his shepherd king. Even though David is the nation’s ruler, he is also a sheep in the pasture of a higher king. In this, David submits to God’s authority and humbly tells the people this.

As the saying goes, “Sheep trust their shepherd not because they see the path, but because they believe in his guidance.” It doesn’t matter if you are a lowly beggar, a famous musician, a Hollywood icon, or the King of England; there is always a “bigger fish,” and the good news is, God cares and leads all his followers.

The Orthodox Jewish Bible

23 (Mizmor of Dovid). Hashem is my Ro’eh (Shepherd); I shall not lack.
² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the mei menuchot (tranquil waters).
³ He restoreth my nefesh; He guideth me in the paths of tzedek l’ma’an Shmo (righteousness for the sake of His Name).
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the Gey Tzalmavet (Valley of the Shadow of Death), I will fear no rah (evil); for Thou art with me; Thy shevet (rod) and Thy staff they comfort me.
⁵ Thou preparest a shulchan before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with shemen (olive oil); my kos runneth over.
⁶ Surely tov and chesed shall follow me kol y’mei chaiyyai (all the days of my life): and I will dwell in the Bais Hashem l’orech yamim (for length of days, whole life

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

God, the divine Shepherd King, leads his people to nourishment and safety, keeping them alive and protecting them. He brings them to a calm place with quiet waters, where it’s easy to drink and be refreshed.

Tony Evans wrote the following: “A few years ago, I got a call from a young woman who said her car had broken down and left her stranded about two miles from the office. So I drove there and found her leaning against her car, looking flustered. I asked what happened. She replied, “I was driving down the road, and the car quit running.” Could you be out of gas? I asked. “No, I just filled it up.” Well, that one question pretty well exhausted my automotive diagnostic abilities, but I persisted. What happened? Did it make any noise? “Oh, yes”, she replied, “as I was driving down the hill, it went brupt, brupt, brupt. Pow.” So I asked, “When was the last time you changed the oil?” She said, “Oil?”

As it turned out, she had owned the car for three years and had never changed the oil. She looks so confused. She didn’t know that was a thing.

Tony continues, “I get that same look when I ask frazzled friends when they last took a Sabbath rest.”

When was the last time you let the shepherd take you to the still waters for a true, calm, quiet, sabbath rest?

That is where the shepherd leads us. But do we always follow?

Now I am the furthest thing from a dancer. But I do like this description I found of ballroom dancing. Warning: It’s a little dated in its language, but it’s still worth hearing.

“In ballroom dancing, the man’s job has generally been seen to lead. The woman’s job is to follow what her partner is doing. One job is not harder than the other. Both matter, but two can’t lead at once. The man’s job is to watch the floor and see where all the other dancers are. Because of this, the woman responds by lining up with her partner’s movements. She puts her hand in his hand. She puts her arm on his shoulder and she feels the pace. She yokes herself with him, and she moves in kind as he moves. She glides, doesn’t worry, and makes the dance beautiful and balanced. But the lead has got to keep his eyes open. He’s got to watch the floor. He’s got to make sure that he doesn’t step on her feet. He shows her where to go. And she moves in line with him. She moves, but because she’s yoked to him, and this sets her free, she glides in trust and without worry. This is because he works to ensure her safety. God wants us to know he’s willing to do the work. He’s willing to take the lead. He’s willing to guide and direct. He’s willing to take us where we need to go. But we must be yoked to Him to make the dance work. We have to be connected to Him and learn how to dance with Him. He leads and we follow.”

Our shepherd escorts us to quiet places; he restores the spirit and leads us in paths of virtue. But we, the sheep, the dance partner, don’t always follow, and there are many paths we take as we wander off.

New Living Translation

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along the right paths,
Bringing honour to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will not be afraid,
For you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
Protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
In the presence of my enemies.
You honour me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
And I will live in this house of the Lord forever.

³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

I’m reminded of the following story.

The author writes, “Bob, my father-in-law, hunts deer every fall in the mountains in California. Several farmers and ranchers in the area will let individuals or small groups hunt on their property if the hunters ask permission and show much for their land. Last year, my father-in-law saw a sprawling section of land and thought he’d ask and see if he could spend a day on the property. After checking with several people in the homes nearby, he tracked down the owner. He asked if he might drive through a particular gate and do some hunting in the evening the following day. The rancher gave Bob a thoughtful look and said, ‘Yeah, you can come onto the land, but you’d better let me ride in the truck with you for a little while first. I want to show you a few things.’ Bob didn’t see the point; he’d done this a thousand times, and though I suppose he could have foolishly and pridefully declined, he certainly did not.

When the agreed-upon day came, the pair drove through the gate and onto the ranchland. They’d been skimming across a seemingly featureless and massive field when the  rancher suddenly said, ‘You better slow down.’ Bob pulled his foot off the accelerator. He tapped the brakes, but he didn’t understand. There were no deer, no fences, just vast and empty space. As far as he could see, there were no creeks, gullies, trees, boulders, or anything else, just a broad pasture stretching out to the dusky foothills. “Park right here”, the rancher said. “I want to show you something.” And with that, the two spilled out of the truck into the cool mountain air and began walking together. Next, the rancher put his hand on Bob’s shoulder and said, “Now look right there, straight ahead. Look close.” My father-in-law stopped dead in his tracks. Cleaving at right angles across their path and the pastures as far as he could see in both directions was a huge gapping crack in the ground. It was a massive, deep, black tear in the surface of the Earth. The crack was probably 30 feet across. Peering over the edge, the hair on Bob’s neck bristled high. The sheer rock-ribbed sides of the great volcanic break in the land plunged to unknown depths. Cold, still air seemed to exhale from the darkness down below. Had he driven another 50 feet, he’d have driven himself into a pit so deep, it didn’t appear to have a bottom.

Bob had no idea this crevasse existed. In fact, you couldn’t see it until you were right up on it and just a few feet away.

Walking back to the truck, Bob marvelled at how difficult it was to see until it was almost certainly too late. Having a guide wasn’t such a bad thing after all. He had a new appreciation for the man who knew his terrain and where to park the truck and where not to.

Our shepherd knows the paths he leads us down and the ones to avoid. He knows where the still water is and where the dangers lie. It may not always be fun to follow the shepherd, but it’s wise and it’s what is ultimately best for us.

While The Message isn’t a translation in the strict sense, it does a fantastic job with this. It reads:

The Message

23 ^1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
You let me catch my breath.
And send me in the right direction.

⁴ Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
When you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
Makes me feel secure.

⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
Right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
My cup brims with blessings.

⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
Every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God.
For the rest of my life.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

The shepherd leads the sheep to pasture, to water, and through rugged terrain. The rod was an instrument of authority that shepherds also used for counting, guiding, rescuing, and protecting the sheep. The staff was an instrument of support. The rod and staff are implements that prod and guide the sheep and provide the comfort that comes from divine guidance. He pokes and prods and leads the dance. The sheep don’t always understand where the leader is going and sometimes hate the prodding, but it’s always for the good of the sheep in the end. He knows where the dangers lie.

There is a famous story: The Allied soldiers gathered many hungry homeless children after World War 2 and placed them in large camps. The children were abundantly fed and cared for. However, at night they didn’t sleep very well. They seemed restless, and of course, they were still afraid. Finally, a psychiatric psychologist offered a solution. After the children were put to bed, they received one slice of bread. If they wanted more to eat, they could have it. But this slice wasn’t supposed to be eaten; it was just to be held. The slice of bread produced marvellous results. The children would go to sleep, subconsciously feeling there was something to eat the next day. It was tangible. They held it in their own hands. Because of this, they were cared for, they knew it, and it calmed the children. In Psalm 23, David says the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The sheep knows the shepherd has made plans for its grazing. The sheep know the Shepherd has made ample provision. For this reason, the sheep will lie in peace.

Life is like that. We have the one who provides for the flowers in the fields and the sheep in the pasture; all we need to do is trust.

Of course, life is never perfect. Circumstances beyond control exist, and sometimes the wolves show up.

The day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, April 4, 1968, Robert F Kennedy was in Indianapolis speaking to a crowd of African Americans. He had to break the terrible news to a large crowd gathered there. He sought to comfort his hearers by sharing his grief over the assassination. Of his brother John F Kennedy, something he had never done publicly before amid that sharing. He quoted. Achilleus AESCHYLUS, his favorite Greek poet. The quote goes as follows: “Even in our sleep, we cannot forget that pain falls drop by drop upon the heart. Until in our despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.

Even the toughest things we will ever face can become the things God uses to guide us. And remember this Psalm doesn’t say we’ll live on earth forever or that the shepherd’s care is just for the here and now.

Solomon Rosenberg and his family were placed in a Nazi work camp where every person who could no longer work was soon to be taken to the gas chambers. The first in Solomon’s family to face the showers were his aged parents, who were well into their 80s at the time. Solomon knew that the next to go in his family would probably be his youngest son, David, who had been slightly crippled in an accident and able to work less and less as days went on. Each morning, the family members were separated for their work assignments. And every night, the father would return with fear and trembling, wondering whether this might be the day that David would be taken.

Eventually, the night came that he had always feared. As Solomon walked into the barracks, he could not see his family and became frantic. His eyes searched for the precious faces. And then at last, he saw the figure of his oldest son, Jacob, huddled over and crying. Solomon hurried to Jacob, asking, “ Tell me it isn’t so. Did they take David today?” “Yes, Papa, they came to take David. They said he could no longer do his work.” “But Mama, where is Mama? She’s still so strong, surely they wouldn’t take Mama too?” “Jacob looked at his father through very tearful eyes. “Papa, when they came to take David, he was afraid and cried. He put up a fuss, and it made the guards very mad. And so Mama said to David, ‘Don’t cry, David, I’ll go with you and hold your hand’. The guards were so upset that they let her. So they took her too. And so Mama went with David to the death chamber so that he wouldn’t be alone and wouldn’t be afraid.

The wolves do come, but the shepherd has a staff. However, when the end comes and it comes for all of us, our shepherd also reaches out his hand, willing to go to the grave with us. He holds our hand, in this life, and the next. All we have to do is hold him back.

The Voice Translation

¹ The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
² He provides me rest in rich, green fields
Beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
³ He makes me whole again,
steering me off worn, hard paths
To roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.

⁴ Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
I am not overcome by fear.
Because you are with me in those dark moments,
near with your protection and guidance,
I am comforted.

⁵ You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
Filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
⁶ Certainly, your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
Where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
In your house forever.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

In the ancient Near East, covenants were often concluded with a meal that expressed the bond of friendship. In this case, it likely intends to share that people who were former enemies have been reunited. They now sit at the table together, and blessing flows.

Here, the image shifts from sheep and shepherd to the covenant table. Here, the shepherd becomes the one who sets the meal. As the honoured guest, God pours our glass overflowing and puts healing oil on our heads. We are safe and in a place of sabbath rest and blessed.

In this, David is hosted by God and hopes to remain in his presence all his life. But also in this, we sit at the table and receive blessings.

Poetic Version

He tends my soul with gentle hands,
And leads me to green pastures broad.
Beside still waters, He commands peace,
And guides my steps on paths of righteousness.
Though shadows cast their gloom around,
Fear I not, for You are near,
Your rod and staff, my comfort, stand,
And I will dwell forever here.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

As the saying goes, I’m happy to have goodness and mercy following me all my life, but I don’t know how to feel about this Shirley person stalking me.

Bad joke aside: The Jewish Study Bible translation says here, not all “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” but rather, “dwell in the Temple of the Lord, all the days of my life” or sometimes “for a great length of time”. The reason for this difference in translation is mainly due to the idea that most Hebrews did not at this time believe in an afterlife, as the New Testament describes it. But the point is still the same. The shepherd will be with the sheep as long as they exist, and the shepherd promises to care for us until the bitter end, whenever possible.

In one of the old Christopher Reeve Superman movies, there is a scene where Superman saves a man from a burning building. Superman flies in and rescues the man from the top floor of a high-rise, then carries him through the skies and eventually back down to safety again. In the shot, the newly rescued man looks at Superman, fearfully looks through the skies, then looks down at the ground. He cries, “I’m scared, Superman, look how far down that is.” But Superman calmly gives him a response. Superman says, “I delivered you from the burning fire, what makes you think I’m going to drop you now, when I’m carrying you to safety?”

Has God delivered you before from a time of trial? If so, then like Superman in that old film, I too must ask: If God has delivered you before, will he not do it again? And if he’s saved you before, what makes you think He’ll drop you before He safely puts you down again next time, right where you belong?

Jewish Study Bible

⁽¹⁾ Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
² He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
He leads me by quiet water,
³ he restores my inner person.
He guides me on the right path.
For the sake of his own name,
⁴ Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster, for you are with me;
Your rod and staff reassure me.

⁵ You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
You anoint my head with oil.
From an overflowing cup.

⁶ Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
And I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come.

My hope for everyone today is that you have seen and heard something new from God. I pray that this Psalm, which means so much to so many has been even more opened up to you.

So… May you know the shepherd.

May you want for nothing essential.

May you know that there is always a bigger fish no matter how far you make it and humble submit to his direction.

May you follow Him to places of rest and peace.

May you follow the leader of the dance of life.

May you trust he knows the dangerous paths and the safe one and act accordingly.

May His staff and rod be a comfort even when the prodding isn’t.

May healing oil and overflowing cups of blessing be at your table.

And may you act with goodness and mercy all the days of your life, because you are relentlessly pursued by the shepherd who ultimately knows what is best for you and holds your hand in this life, died for you while holding your hand, and continues to be your shepherd even in the life that is to come. Amen.

Song: Open my eyes that I may see (500)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Petitioning Prayers

In the Easter season, we celebrate God’s most precious gift to us in Christ’s dying and his rising. As we present our offering, may our generosity reflect God’s goodness to us, and the hope we have in Christ Jesus, even in these troubled times.

Generous God, thank you for all we have received from you in Christ and in creation; your generosity to us overflows. Bless the gifts we bring and use them and us in the service of your reign of justice and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Guide.

Shepherding God, you walk with us and show us how to love each other. We now turn to you with our hopes and concerns and love for others in these uncertain times. Draw near to us and to all those for whom we pray, so that your love will be known in the world this day.

Nurturing God, on Christian Family Sunday, we pray for the families we belong to in which we received some reflection of your unconditional love.

We thank you for parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, for the generations who started our families and all they gave to us.

Today we thank you for all those who mothered us and we pray for loving mothers and fathers throughout the world, especially those in places of conflict and violence who are worried for their children and the future.

Keep a brief silence.

Strengthen every caregiver’s hope and courage by the power of your Spirit, and create peace in the world so children can grow up in safety.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God who holds all people in your hands, we pray for families in our community and around the world in these uncertain times.

We remember families in need:
those struggling with economic upheaval, unemployment and the high cost of living,
those who know sorrow because someone has died or gone away,
those who live in pain or fear, or face some kind of discrimination.

         Keep a brief silence.

Surround all people with your love and courage; bring them support from their neighbours, and guide each child and young person into the future.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of the nations, we pray for the family of nations in this time of threat and conflict. Change the hearts of leaders bent on destruction or conquest, greed and self-promotion.

Give wisdom and courage to those who seek justice through negotiation, and protect all those who offer themselves in aid and advocacy work.

Keep a brief silence.

Bring peace with justice to this troubled world.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

God of love, we pray for each other and for our church family.

We give you thanks for the friendship and fellowship we share and the unique gifts each one brings to our life together.

Rekindle our energy for ministry and mission and show us our path into the future.

Keep a brief silence.

Make us a beacon of hope in your name.

Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.

Caring God, the Good Shepherd, guiding us through dark valleys and green pastures, we thank you for your presence with us in all times and in all situations. Amen.

Song: We are one in the Spirit (471)

Sending out with God’s blessing

God’s might to direct me. God’s power to protect me. God’s wisdom for learning. God’s eye for discerning. God’s ear for my hearing. God’s word for my clearing. Amen. (Written by St. Patrick, Irish missionary somewhere around the year 420.)

Response: He is Lord

Music postlude

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation, is used by license, or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the Third Sunday of Easter
10:00 am May 04, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Vivian Houg     Welcoming Elder: Jane de Caen
Reader: Saima Aziz

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: Great is the Lord, who calls us to new beginnings as disciples in His name.
P: We gather to learn and grow, as Paul did, ready to be transformed.
L: Let us embrace our journey of faith, supported by God’s teachings.
P: In worship and wonder, we come as students of Christ.

Opening praise: Lord I need you

Prayers of approach and confession

Today, we come before You with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the beauty and wonder of Your creation. We thank You for the smallest miracles, like the tiny fingers of a newborn gripping ours, and for the great signs of Your life in the world around us—like the daffodil stretching open its bloom to greet the spring, or the rugged cliffs, worn by wind and water, bearing their beauty with silent praise. These details remind us that Your presence is woven into every part of creation,

lifting our hearts in praise and wonder.

Help us today to see in the story of the risen Christ a new beginning—an invitation to meet You anew in the everyday moments. May this day and this week be an occasion for us to discover Jesus in our midst—making all things new through the springtime of Your Spirit. Receive our heartfelt worship, O God—Creator, Christ, and Spirit — Ever Three, and Ever One, beginning and end of all things, now and forever.

We approach You with humble hearts, acknowledging that despite your goodness, we often fall short of the hopes and purposes You have for us. We confess that our hearts sometimes cling to grudges—things long past or mistakes we have made—that weigh us down and hinder us from living fully in your grace. It’s difficult to forgive others when we feel wounded; it’s even harder to forgive ourselves when shame and regret cloud our hearts. But Lord, we know that your love is greater than our failures.

You offer us mercy that heals and restores—an invitation to begin again.

Fill us with your Spirit, so we can extend the same mercy and forgiveness to others, and to ourselves. Help us to remove the barriers that keep us from embracing your new life—you call us to be renewed day by day. Amen.

Response: Glory, glory hallelujah

Assurance of God’s forgiveness

Friends in Christ, we are reminded today that no matter how often we stumble, our God’s love and mercy are greater still.

God’s forgiveness is not limited by our brokenness or past mistakes. In Jesus Christ, we find the ongoing promise of redemption—an opportunity to start anew, free from guilt and shame.

To all who humbly seek God’s mercy: hear this good news—Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, renewal, and new life.

Come, rest in the peace of His love, and trust that you are beloved children of God, restored by His grace and empowered by His Spirit. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God                   

Song: I have decided to follow Jesus (570)

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Response: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord

Message: From Failure to Faith

Like many biblical figures from Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, and Simon to Peter, God changes a man called Saul so dramatically that his whole identity shifts and he becomes a totally new person – Paul.

In short, no matter how dark a person’s past, God’s grace can turn them around. God can shake us from our preconceived ideas and create in us the kind of changes we need to get where God is taking us.

In this morning’s reading, Saul is about 40 years old. He is moving quickly up the ranks of the Jewish religious institutions and making a name for himself.

Paul was born in Tarsus in modern-day Turkey, was a Roman citizen and a Hebrew from a conservative branch of faith. He was deeply committed to Judaism and to the Law. And he devoted his life to God as he saw revealed in the Law.

Saul was perhaps one of the most educated Pharisees in his day. According to Luke and recorded in Acts 22:3, Paul “was born in Tarsus”, “was brought up in Jerusalem, under Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, and was thoroughly trained in the law of the Hebrew ancestors.”

Paul’s mentor, Gamaliel, was a highly respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, widely regarded as one of the most eminent teachers in Jerusalem during that era. He was known for his wisdom, fairness, and influence among the Jewish leaders and the Sanhedrin (a legal/religious court made up of 71 members).

Interestingly, both Gamaliel and another of his most famous students, Rabbi Hillel, had rather famously suggested that this new branch of Judaism, called “the Way,” which followed Jesus, should be treated with respect and understanding. Both asked the other leaders to deal with them leniently.

Saul, however, disagreed with Gamaliel and aligned himself with a man named Shammai, who suggested the death penalty for those he deemed heretics. Paul next went to Shammai, against his mentor’s wishes, requesting to stamp out the leaders of “the Way.”

And so, Saul set out on his own as a vigorous opponent of the early Christian movement, actively persecuting believers and overseeing the imprisonment and even the execution of some followers of Jesus (Acts 8:1-3) with legal documents from the court granting him the power to capture his adversaries.

Now it’s essential to understand Saul. Saul was a man of great faith. And Sual believed he was defending the Jewish tradition from what he saw as heresy. He thought he was doing the right thing by rounding up the followers of Jesus for trial. And that is just what he set out to do – but God had a different plan.

Have you ever done that – the wrong thing – for the right reason?

Sadly, Charles Colson was right when he wrote, “Few things are so deadly as a misguided sense of compassion.” That is where Saul sat. He sat in a place where his purported love for one community moved quickly into the intended destruction of another.

As the saying goes, “My heart was in the right place, but my brain was on vacation.”

Around five years after the resurrection, on a journey to Damascus, Saul has a visionary experience whereby his misguided intentions become a path from violent destruction to a place of praise and hope. At the time, faith in “The Way” had grown quickly. In response, Saul went to the leaders in Jerusalem to get permission to round up both men and women for prison.

And yet, it is precisely on this path of failure that Saul encounters the risen Christ. A brilliant light surrounds him, and he falls to the ground, stripped of certainty and sight. In this vulnerable state, Jesus’ question pierces Saul’s heart: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” With these words, Saul’s mission collapses. He finds himself blinded, led by the hand into Damascus, his previous confidence shattered.

That happens sometimes with God. We find ourselves going about our business, believing or doing one thing, only to discover we were wrong and needed correction.

In short, Saul has a real “come-to-Jesus” moment, and because of that, he has to rethink his entire life.

While the story is described as a literal event and also a vision, its symbolism is perhaps more critical. Whatever took place was a divine intervention, and it turned Saul into Paul.

How many times in life, like Saul, have we spent pursuing our own well-meaning agendas only to miss God’s true calling for us? Have you ever done that?

Perhaps like me, maybe something in your life is less a “carefully orchestrated symphony” and more like “improvisational jazz” on the kazoo.

Sometimes we can become so sure we’re right that we forget to check if we’re missing the absolute truth.

I’ve come to realize that “Sometimes, God lets you believe you’re an expert at something, just so He can dramatically reveal to you that you’ve been microwaving aluminum foil the whole time.”

I’m pretty sure my resume should include ‘Expert in Unintentionally Detouring’ from my Divine Purpose. And I suspect I’m not alone.

What areas in your life might prevent you from seeing the true path? The “catch-22,” of course, is that you can’t see what you can’t see. Sometimes, God has to intervene. But it’s rarely comfortable when He does.

Many times in my life, I have had to course correct.

• From changing my mind on the place of women in ministry (when confronted with better information)
• to me being rather stanchly against infant baptism (an idea I quickly dropped after learning about the shift from first to second generation Christians)
• or my once believing in some version of Verbal Plenary (the idea that the very words of the Bible came from the mouth of God rather than through a human and divine element working together) to a new understanding…

I’ve gone through some rather significant developments in life. And none of it was enjoyable because I, like most people, don’t like being proven wrong or admitting I’ve done wrong to others because of my own silly ideas, things have worked out for the better. And I have learned and grown a lot in life and faith.

Dare I say, if you’re never uncomfortable with God’s guidance, you might be mistaking your own echo for His voice.

Correction from God is the spiritual equivalent of realizing you’ve been wearing your shirt inside out all day. Catching it is embarrassing, but necessary.

In any case, for three days, Saul is confronted with the very Jesus he had rejected. He has had to face a terrible truth – he was wrong about Jesus, The Way and instead of being a hero of faith, he was in fact a violent crusader doing not “the Lord’s work” but Saul’s own.

In any event, Saul was physically blinded and was later led by hand into the city’s west side. For three days, he lives in darkness (both physically and, more importantly, spiritually). But most importantly, Saul is mourning, trying to come to terms with what has happened, who he has been, and who he will need to become now that he has been confronted with this new reality.

Next, there are two dreams. Saul has one and is told that a man called Ananias would come to heal him, and Ananias has one where he is said to go to Saul. For Saul, this would be uncomfortable. Ananias was a beloved community member and someone Saul had almost certainly planned to imprison. Ananias, on the other hand, would completely and rightfully be terrified. Ananias knew full well Saul’s intent for him; going to see Saul must have seemed the most dangerous thing he could ever do. But he goes nevertheless.

How many times in life have you felt that “still small voice” asking you to do something for God you weren’t really comfortable with?

Imagine the courage it must have taken to embrace the very one who had brought so much suffering to his community. Ananias appears only here in the scriptures… but Ananias is a hero.

When Ananias arrives, he calls Saul “Brother” and lays hands on him in prayer.

With that, we are told that “something like scales” fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. Saul is then immediately baptized and almost immediately begins a ministry not against The Way but to them. From persecutor to proclaimer, Saul’s failures are not the end but the foundation for his new purpose.

What or who has God used in your life to shine a light on your mistakes and make you reassess? Where right now can His grace help to open our eyes to see life in a new way? Have you ever experienced a moment of clarity that shook your worldview or changed your purpose?

Paul of Tarsus was instrumental in shaping Christian theology, expanding Christianity beyond its Jewish roots, establishing the organizational structure of the early church, and influencing Western culture and thought for the last 2000 years. While his teachings have been subject to interpretation and debate, his impact on the world is undeniable. Had he got his of way and Jesus not confronted him, he would simply have been lost to history as yet another tirant in a long line of destructive fools.

The story of Saul becoming Paul is a reminder that our failures do not define us. Instead, they become opportunities for growth and transformation through God’s grace.

Like Saul, we may find ourselves on paths of misunderstanding and misguided aims. But just as Christ met Saul on the road to Damascus, He often meets us in our moments of failure, offering light, forgiveness, and a new direction.

Like Paul, are we willing to confront our own errors and change direction? Like Ananias, how willing are we to step out in faith and share the hope we’ve found, regardless of our fears?

Where can God bring new life and purpose for you? How can we trust more in God’s power to transform us from darkness into light? God did it with Saul, God does it all the time, and God can do it with us, too.

May we, like Ananias, respond with faith and courage to God’s call, participating in God’s redemptive work in and through us. Like Paul, let us embrace our journey from failures to faith, trusting in the transformative power of God’s grace to guide us to our true callings. And though it may not be comfortable, may it be to us a blessing and to the world around us, a chance to make things right. Amen.

Song: Just as I am, without one plea (682)

We respond to serve God

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

Come, beloved friends and family, to the table of grace. Here, we remember Jesus—the One who broke bread with His friends, showed us love in action, and offered His life for ours. All are welcome to participate in this celebration of hope and renewal.

Song: I come with joy (530)

The Apostles’ Creed (539)
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,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

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

Holy and loving God, we come to You today, hearts full of gratitude and wonder. On this morning, we celebrate the miracle that Changed everything—the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord.

We thank You for Your unfailing love that brings new life out of death and hope out of despair. We praise You for the gift of Jesus, who lived among us, taught us how to love, and gave His life so that we might be reconciled to You.

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, You have opened the way for us to experience forgiveness, peace, and new beginnings. You call us to live not in fear but in confidence—trusting that You are with us in every moment.

We thank You for this bread and this cup — signs of Your love and grace, symbols of the life that You offer us now and always. May Your Spirit fill these gifts, and may they nourish us so we can go into the world to share Your hope and joy.

As we partake together, let us remember that Christ’s love binds us as one body, united in the journey of faith. May this meal inspire us anew to walk in His light, to serve with compassion, and to share His good news with everyone we meet.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the risen and living Lord, we pray. Amen.

Sharing of the Bread and Wine

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke it, and gave it to His friends, saying:
“Take, eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

And after supper, He took the cup, gave it to them, and said:
“This cup is the new promise in my blood, poured out for you and for all, for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember Me.”

Song: Behold the lamb

Prayer after Communion

Gracious God, thank you for this gift of life and love.
Thank you for the bread and wine—signs of your presence, symbols of your grace.
Fill us with your Spirit, that we may know your peace and share your love with the world.
Lead us into the coming days, empowered by your Spirit and renewed in your grace.
May this meal strengthen us for service, hope, and joy.

Song: When we are living (630)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As you go forth this day, may the joy of the risen Christ fill your hearts and guide your steps. May you see His presence in every encounter and His love in every moment.

Go in peace, with eyes open to the wonders of His resurrection, sharing His hope and light with the world. Amen.

Sung Response: He is Lord

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

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

Worship on Mission Awareness Sunday
10:00 am April 27, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Loretta Lee     Welcoming Elder: Gina Kottke
Children’s time presenter: Vivian Houg     Reader: Don Milligan

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: Peace be with you, as Jesus speaks to our hearts today.
P: We gather to listen to His voice, seeking His presence among us.
L: On this Mission Awareness Sunday, let us open our hearts to His call.
P: With ears ready to hear and hearts open to serve, we come to worship.

Opening praise: This is amazing grace

Prayers of repentance and reconciliation
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,
we rejoice in this new day you have made.
We praise you for the abundant life with which you bless us,
and for all the beauty surrounding us as spring takes hold again.
We praise you for your Son, Jesus,
and the power of new life promised in his resurrection.
We praise you for your Spirit at work in human history,
to restore and redeem our hope with that power of new life.
God of steadfast love, we worship you with the Spirit and the Son, and claim your gift of new life, even in the face of any doubt or danger within the world you love.
All praise, honour and glory be yours, O God, now and evermore. Amen.
O God of might and mercy, in raising Jesus from the dead, you showed us your power to defeat all that brings fear and sorrow to our lives.
In his resurrection, Jesus promised to be with us everywhere and always.
Yet we confess we are sometimes uncertain about your promises.
We doubt the promise of resurrection for our own lives.
Upheaval and anxiety eat away at our peace.
Forgive us when we struggle to trust your goodness and your steadfast love for us.

Response: Glory, glory hallelujah

Assurance of God’s love
Hear and believe the good news of the Gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free from sin and sorrow.
In Jesus Christ, God offers us the gift of peace.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts this day.

Mission Awareness Presentation: Andrea Gartrell

See accompanying slides referred to in the following commentary. Also available at the following location. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_5IMoQnJDvgVPDrBGVEZwO1imIEOO8Hn

My name is Andrea Gartrell and I am a member of the Worship Committee. This year we are celebrating 150 years of the Presbyterian Church in Canada and as part of that celebration, every month or so, we will highlight how Dayspring has participated in bringing God’s love to all of his creation, both locally and globally.

Today is Mission Awareness Sunday. Missions and Outreach projects work with local partners around the world to address the root causes of poverty and create new futures of hope and opportunity. Inspired by God’s promise of abundant life, mission project members envision and seek to create a sustainable, compassionate and just world. To help transform communities by promoting justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

SLIDE 1

As part of that call to care for God’s people, I would like to share some memories of Dayspring’s Mission and Outreach history.

SLIDE 2

Back in 1983, we financially supported a sheep farming project for people migrating from Mexico to Guatemala due to economic and social conflict.

SLIDE 3

Later, in 2003, a group from Dayspring partnered with an agency and travelled to El Salvador to help local people with a house-building project.

SLIDE 4

In 2014 and then again in 2017, our partnership with Live Different had us travelling to Mexico for another house-building project.

SLIDE 5

In these slides, you can see how we worked side by side and heart to heart supporting God’s people in their communities,

SLIDE 6

according to their need and regardless of faith.

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Jesus, we are gathered (514)

Children’s time

Video: The Seriously Surprising Story
Discussion Questions
I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus died?
I wonder how they knew Jesus was alive?
Or how they knew the person was Jesus?….
I wonder what it felt like to recognize Jesus?…
I wonder if you have ever been close to Jesus like this?
I wonder how it feels to know Jesus is alive?
I wonder what it was like to tell others that Jesus is alive?

I-say-you-say-Prayer and Lord’s Prayer               535 

                 

Song: Jesus, stand among us (452)

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Response: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord  

Message: “Believing Beyond a Doubt”

During a recent conflict in the Middle East, Ian and Jake Jones, who served as Christian Missionary Alliance workers, wrote in their prayer letter to congregations, saying, “The result of fighting and killing has left a profound sense of discouragement hovering over the lands. We have come into closer contact with this conflict several times more than our comfort zone would like. Yesterday, a friend said she was watching a shepherd caring for his flock near the area where guns are fired off. Every time the shots rang out, the sheep scattered in fright. They do this not because they are foolish but because it appears wise.

Each time they scattered, the shepherd touched each of them lightly with his staff and spoke calmly to them. With this, the sheep would slow down, calm down, and begin to rest again because they trusted the shepherd. Then another shot sounded, and the exact same routine would happen all over again. Each time, the sheep needed the shepherd to orient them again and to reassure them that they were still safe. Over and over again, this happened.

We are all like those sheep. When we are frightened, our shepherd reaches out and touches us with his staff, speaking words of calm and comfort. But each time a new fear comes, we scatter again. It’s in the nature of the sheep to fear, and it’s in the nature of the shepherd to bring us peace. As Theologian Paul Tillich once wrote, “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith.” I think there is a lot of truth in that.

In the very R-rated horror movie From Dusk ‘Till Dawn, the pastor, played by famed actor Harvey Keitel’ says: “Every person who… chooses the service of God as his life’s work has something in common. I don’t care if you’re a preacher, a priest, a nun, a rabbi or a Buddhist monk. Many, many times during your life, you will look at your reflection in a mirror and ask yourself: Am I a fool? I’m not going through a lapse; what I’ve experienced is closer to awakening.

The disciples are huddled behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear and uncertainty after Jesus’ crucifixion. They are afraid of the unknown and the potential dangers that await them. In the midst of their anxiety, Jesus appears with a message: “Peace be with you.” This greeting dispels fear and reminds us that Christ’s presence brings tranquillity to our troubled hearts. In fact, the word Jesus uses (Irene), seems to me to be more about forgiveness than simple peace. The disciples have all betrayed him and run for their lives. In response, Jesus comes to them with not a tongue like a sword, but words of calm for every one of them. In truth, Jesus had every reason to be angry, but he brought something else instead – Peace. I imagine there were many tears shed in that moment.

We call him “doubting Thomas,” but that is unfair. In the story, Jesus appears to all the other disciples while Thomas is absent. Possibly, he is not in the upper room because while all the others are in hiding, Thomas is still brave enough to go out onto the streets. As a result, he doesn’t see the risen Jesus.

Absent at Jesus’ first appearance, Thomas voices his skepticism, insisting on physical proof of the resurrection. He won’t believe, he says, unless he touches the wounds with his own hand. Thomas’s doubt mirrors our own demands for tangible assurances. And like us, he has not seen the risen Lord. Thomas is our stand-in. He’s us.

When Jesus appears a second time, He invites Thomas to touch His wounds, but in that moment, Thomas doesn’t. Nothing in the text suggests that Thomas needs to. He’s moved beyond doubt and into belief. Thomas experiences a conversion of belief. Instead of touching the wounds, he immediately cries out, “My Lord and my God.”

It’s like that for many of us. For others, it can be more difficult than that. Without a period of trust being built up between the sheep and the shepherd, many remain stuck in places of doubt.

Carl Sagan was fascinated that educated adults with the wonders of science manifest all around them could cling to beliefs that are based on unverifiable testimony from observers who had been dead for 2000 years. “You’re so smart. Why do you believe in a God?” He once asked Vicor Joan Brown Campbell. She found this a surprising question from someone who had no trouble accepting the existence of black holes, which no one had ever observed before. “You’re so smart, why don’t you believe in a God?” She answered.

Sagan never wavered in his agnosticism, even as he was dying. “There was no deathbed confession”, his wife Anne says, “no appeals to God, no hope for an afterlife, no pretending that he and I, who had been inseparable for over 20 years, were not saying goodbye forever”. “Didn’t he want to believe? someone asked.” “No,” she responded, “Carl never wanted to believe”, she said fiercely. “He wanted only to know.”

Jesus’ response, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” extends a promise to us, that faith does not require physical evidence. Not everyone takes him up on that.

Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And I find a lot of comfort in that. Because like everyone I have my moments too.

I guess that is part of why Christians have created so many statements of faith. Saying them over and over again, helps us hold on to certain ideas so that those ideas can come flooding back to us when we feel challenged.

Judaism has the Shammah, Islam has the Shahadah. But Christians responding to Jesus’s question, who do you say I am, have produced thousands upon thousands of statements of faith across the centuries and the world. As a capstone to his lifelong interest in the central text of the Christian faith, theologian Yaroslav Pelikan collected the four-volume work titled Creeds and Confessions of Faith in the Christian Tradition. In the first volume, I find one particular creed extremely interesting: the Maasai Creed from Nigeria, which is an Africanized English version of the Apostles Creed. In one place it says “Jesus was always on safari and doing good”. In another place it proudly declares “that after Jesus had been tortured and nailed hands and feet to a cross and died, he lay buried in the grave. But the hyenas never touched him. And on the third day, he rose from the dirt. He ascended to the sky, and he is Lord.” As creeds go, that’s pretty hard to beat, I’d say.

The author of John concludes this section of scripture about Jesus appearing to the disciples by stating the purpose of these accounts—to move the reader from first-hand witnesses to the next generation of the faithful. It’s meant to demonstrate moving beyond doubt and into possibility and then ultimately faith and belief.

But even belief is complicated sometimes.

In John 7, John the Baptist is in prison, and at this point, he’s no longer sure he’s found the right guy. He sends his disciples to meet with Jesus with one question on their lips: “Are you really the Messiah?” They ask. Asking the same question puts you in good company. You just can’t ignore the answer.

Sometimes we are all like the father from Mark 9 calling out to God, “I believe, help my unbelief!” Our world is filled with uncertainties, but like Thomas, we are invited to move beyond doubt, to embrace faith with our hearts open to the transformative power of Christ.

Believing may not always be easy, especially when surrounded by doubt, but today’s passage reassures us that doubt can become a pathway to deeper faith when we honestly seek truth with an open heart.

It’s not exactly how I was raised, but I think sometimes, like John the Baptist or Thomas, doubt can lead us closer to God just as long as we keep seeking out truth. In today’s passage, we find reassurance that Jesus meets us in our uncertainty, offering peace and understanding. Wherever you are this morning, Peace be with you. Also… maybe we should stop picking on poor Thomas and come up with a better nickname for him. Amen.

*Song: Jump with Joy (406)

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

Our God, we pause this morning to give thanks. We thank you for the work being done in the fields. We thank you for our hospitals, schools, and mental health agencies, for emergency room workers and all those who work so hard to bring health and healing in our community. We thank you for the ministries of our church, for mission and outreach, the sound booth volunteers, Sunday school teachers and much much more. We thank you for the leaders of this congregation and our Presbytery.

We thank you for one hundred and ten years of mission and ministry in Canada and the world. We give thanks for your care of us in this place. We also pause to pray for our world. We pray for countries and regions that are in conflict. We pray for those in France facing political upheaval. We pray for the United Kingdom and its courts to do justice and for freedom of speech. On our hearts are the people of Pakistan, whose water has been cut off by India, and those in India living in fear of terrorist attacks.

We think this morning of the war in Ukraine, with millions displaced and ongoing military conflict. We pray too for the many ongoing conflicts in various Middle Eastern countries, including Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt and Israel-Palestine, as well as for Nigeria and Sudan, Russia, Myanmar, and the people North Korea.

We pray for places devastated by natural disaster: those suffering from the wildfires in Australia, flood victims in Indonesia and the Philippines, tornadoes in the Midwest US, and earthquake victims in Turkey.

We pray for friends and neighbours who are struggling with illness and for those caring for them. We pray for organizations that are working to feed and support people in our community who are struggling. Lord be with them, and urge us to bring care and assistance wherever and whenever possible. Amen.

Song: Thine be the glory (258)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As we depart from this gathering, may the peace of Christ fill your hearts and minds, transforming any doubts into renewed faith.
May you be empowered to embrace the love and grace that the risen Savior offers, sharing that same hope and assurance with everyone you encounter.
Go forth in confidence as ambassadors of Christ, carrying the light of His love into the world.

Response: He is Lord

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on Easter Sunday
10:00 am April 20, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Linda Farrah-Basford     Welcoming Elder: Heather Tansem

We gather to worship God.

Music Prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle

Welcome and announcements

Communion Explanation

As we gather for our Easter Communion service, we are excited to incorporate larger pieces of hot cross buns and juice, reminiscent of the Moravian Love Feast tradition. This choice is rich in history and symbolism, connecting our worship to communal celebrations of faith that highlight fellowship, love, and remembrance.

The Moravian Church, rooted in the 15th century, has a long history of emphasizing community and fellowship among believers. The Love Feast, or *Liebesmahl*, originated to symbolize the sharing of Christ’s love among church members and is characterized by the sharing of simple food—often bread or buns and water or juice— served in a warm, welcoming environment.

The feast is not merely a meal but a meaningful expression of unity and spiritual communion. The sharing of food embodies the fellowship of believers and serves as a reminder of Jesus’ teachings about love and community. Participants partake together, fostering a sense of togetherness and reinforcing their bond as members of the body of Christ.

Hot cross buns have a deep historical significance, especially during Easter. Traditionally, these sweet, spiced buns are eaten on Good Friday, symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus with the cross marked on the top. In our communion celebration, serving larger pieces of hot cross buns allows us to emphasize the themes of sacrifice and resurrection.

Using hot cross buns enhances the connection to the Easter story, inviting us to reflect on the significance of Christ’s death and the joy of His resurrection. In breaking and sharing these buns, we recognize that Jesus is the Bread of Life, the sustenance we require for our spiritual journeys. But also, we acknowledge that life, while sometimes hard, is also sweet and beautiful.

By incorporating the Love Feast tradition into our Easter Communion, we celebrate the sacrament and the communal aspect of our faith, in the same way it was done at the “last supper” – a meal shared together, not just a symbolic feeding but a meal. Just as Jesus shared meals with His disciples, we are reminded that we are part of a larger family of believers. This communion is an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving for the gifts of love and grace we receive from God and from one another.

In our gathering today, let us partake in these pieces of hot cross buns and juice to celebrate Christ’s resurrection and remind us of our call to love and serve one another. Together, we rejoice in the nourishing presence of Christ in our midst.

As we share this special meal, may we grow in unity and continue to reflect God’s love in our lives, embodying the spirit of the Love Feast in our daily journeys.

Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: We are children of God:
P: Called to praise, and to bless, and to show mercy.
L: We are citizens of a nation:
P: Called to care, and to respond, and to share our freedom.
L: We are members of a community: called to know each other, accept each other, and welcome all.
P: We belong to God, and through God, to one another.
L: So may our hearts be as one, and let us worship our God.

Opening praise: Forever, God is faithful

Prayers of approach and confession

Gracious, life-giving God, maker of all things visible and invisible,

On the first day of the world,

You spoke, and out of chaos came creation, out of confusion, order, and out of nothingness came all creation.

On the first day of the week, your grace resurrected Christ,

And out of death came life.

You come to us through the Holy Spirit, to shine light on our way forward, offering your gift of new life in Christ Jesus.

Praise and honour and blessing be to you, O God,

Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit, this day and every day, now and always.

Loving and life-giving God, you raised Jesus from the grave and shattered the powers of sin and death.

But we confess that we remain captive to fear, resisting the hope that new life is possible for us.

We hide in tombs of indifference, seeking comfort rather than justice.

We cling to resentment and disappointment, refusing the freedom that comes with forgiveness.

Forgive us, O God, and restore us to joy and wholeness through your mercy.

Response: Glory, glory hallelujah

Forgiveness proclaimed
This Easter Day, God has turned our mourning into dancing!
God has taken off our sackcloth and clothed us with joy!
We are God’s forgiven people.

Let us be at peace with God, with one another, and ourselves through the undying mercy of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We listen for the voice of God.

Live Drama – Watch the Lamb

Godfrey Sr, Godfrey Jr, Pearl, Steve

Message: ‘Easter’

During morning worship on Palm Sunday in 1994, a tornado struck the Goshen United Methodist Church in Piedmont, AL. It happened during a theatrical presentation. The electricity failed, and the congregation tried to get along without its sound system. A window shattered, people screamed, and then the building exploded, injuring scores of members and ultimately killing twenty people. Among those fatalities was Hannah Klemm, the four-year-old daughter of Pastor Kelly Klim.

The night after the tragedy, Kelly was trying to sleep, tossing and turning through the pain of her injuries. And an unusual dream came to her. She saw herself trying to lift bricks and toss them aside, clearing away the rubble, trying to rescue the victims. She kept doing the same thing over and over again. Everything was Gray and dull. But as her dream progressed, she stepped back from the scene and saw, right in the spot where Hannah had been buried, children dressed in beautiful, bright clothes everywhere. They seemed oblivious to the onlookers and were playing and laughing with each other. They were standing on grass which seemed to be of the greenest kind of green she’d ever imagined. When Kelly awoke, a peace settled over her and strengthened her for the upcoming funerals ahead.

The next day, a reporter greeted her and several others as they looked over the disaster. One reporter asked Pastor Kelly if the disaster had shattered her faith. No, she said. I’m shattered but not my faith. It hasn’t shattered my faith at all. I’m holding on to my God because my God is holding on to me. All of the people of Goshen are holding on to each other, along with the hope this Easter brings. If not for my faith, I’d have nothing left.

Being a person of faith does not mean that things will always go our way. And it’s easy to say “why me” when things get bad. It’s natural to ask “What did I do to deserve this?” It’s easy to think of ourselves as innocent victims. But if only good things happen to good people then just what would that say about Jesus? Was he guilty of some terrible sin? Is that why he suffered? No. The idea that only good things happen to good people was put to death on a cross 2,000 years ago.

Pain comes to us all because our world has been corrupted by sin. At the same time. The Resurrection reminds us that there is victory over death. And over everything that ails us.

And yet there is no Easter without Good Friday. There is no salvation without something to be saved from. Hard times come.

Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrate the fact that the Father brought him back from death and placed him in paradise to rule forever. We celebrate that the lowly Carpenter is now building mansions in heaven, for the loved ones we lose. We are and shall ever be “an Easter people”, no matter what comes.

He is risen. He is risen indeed. And because of that, so too shall we be. Amen.

Song: Jesus Christ is risen today (243)

We respond to serve God.

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves

Generous God, we come before you with grateful hearts, recognizing how much you have given us in Christ Jesus. Bless these gifts so that they may spread the hope and joy we feel this day to those who have not yet tasted your kindness. With our gifts, we offer ourselves to you in the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord.

God of power and possibility, you broke open the tomb that held our Lord. Now break open your church, worried over differences and disagreements, uncertain about the way ahead in mission and service.

Guide us with your wise and creative Spirit.

Keep a brief silence.

Resurrect, renew and revive your church!

Hear our prayer.

God of resurrection and new life, you broke into the hearts of Jesus’ fearful friends.

Now break into our relationships with one another.

Where they are vibrant and life-giving, nurture them.

Where they are strained by misunderstanding or neglect, reconcile them.

Heal us with your merciful and engaging Spirit.

Keep a brief silence.

Resurrect, renew and revive our life together!

Hear our prayer.

God of might and mercy, you broke open the schemes of those who stood in the way of your love.

Now break open the governance of your world.

Stir the minds and hearts of leaders to work for justice and equitable sharing.

Where laws are corrupt, where deception masquerades as truth, and where people suffer under the schemes of those who lust for power,

Confront people with your Spirit of truth and compassion.

Keep a brief silence.

Resurrect, renew and revive the community of nations!

Hear our prayer.

God of healing and hope, you broke the bonds of death which tried to shackle new life. Now break into situations of illness, pain, grief, and loss. Wherever people are sick in body, mind, or spirit, and wherever people mourn the loss of a loved one or a cherished future, embrace each one with your Spirit of comfort and courage.

Keep a brief silence.

Resurrect, renew and revive our lives!

Hear our prayer.

God of Easter Renewal and Resurrection, you have broken into our lives again this day.

Break into all our moments of celebration and joy, as well as the circumstances we name in silence before you.

Keep a brief silence.

By your Spirit, give us gratitude, generosity and the grace to understand each other.

Resurrect, renew and revive our souls and spirits!

Hear our prayer.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation

In this sacred moment, we gather not as strangers, but as a community united in love and faith. This is a time to remember the incredible love of Jesus, who invites each of us to share in His life, His sacrifice, and His promise of new beginnings.

Whether you are a long-time believer or exploring your faith, all who seek to draw closer to Christ are welcome here. Come, just as you are, with your questions, your joys, and your struggles.

Song: Christ is alive (251)

The Communion Prayer

Holy One, on this joyful Easter day, ee offer you our gratitude and praise with hearts full of love, for we have seen your grace and power, rolling away the stone of sorrow and despair, bursting from the tomb in the gift of new life.

And so we join our voices with all your creatures, high and low, with all the saints before us and beside us, in heaven and on earth, to celebrate your resurrecting power.

Receive our praise and joy this day, O Christ.

Your resurrection promises that there are new possibilities for us and our weary world.

Even when we falter in discouragement, even if we hesitate at the news

that your great love has come back to embrace us,

You will not let us go.

You call us by name to assure us of your love.

You open your arms to welcome us back to your side.

You have spread this table for us, offering us not only the bread and wine,

But your very self is present with us here and everywhere.

In anticipation of receiving these gifts, we proclaim our faith and our hope as we sing (or say):

Spirit of Life, rising in us and around us, breathe upon us now and upon this bread and wine.

May they be for us Christ’s body and blood, gifts of new life, with the power to make us whole.

As this bread and wine become a part of us, may we become a part of you, Lord Jesus, united with you and with each other in love.

Dare us to live for justice and joy, trusting that all things will work together for good

through the power of love that raised you from the dead, the power of the love we share in your name. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (469 – sung)

Sharing of the Bread and Wine

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus gathered with His disciples to share a meal.

He took bread, and after giving thanks, He broke it, saying:

“This is my body, given for you. Take and eat in remembrance of me.”

Then He took the cup, and after giving thanks, He said:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you. Whenever you drink from it, do so in remembrance of me.”

For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:  “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”

Song: Behold the Lamb

Prayer after Communion

Gracious God, we thank You for this sacred meal and the fellowship we’ve shared at Your table. As we have received the body and blood of Christ, may we be strengthened in our faith and united in love. Help us carry the grace of this moment into our lives, reflecting Your love to those around us. Guide us as we go forth, empowered to serve and embody the hope we find in You. Amen.

Song: Lord of the Dance (250)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As you leave this place, may the joy of the risen Christ fill your hearts.
May His love empower you to share the good news with others,
And may you carry the hope of the resurrection in all that you do.
Go forth in peace, knowing that you are loved and redeemed. Amen.

Response: He is Lord (252)

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Easter Sunrise Service

Dayspring Presbyterian Church

Minister: The Rev. Bradley R Childs

Welcome

Good morning, everyone! It’s a joy to be gathered here together to celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This morning, as we witness the first light of Easter breaking through the darkness, we are reminded of the incredible promise of new life, hope, and redemption that this day brings.

Unlike the original followers of Christ, who were surprised at the miraculous events that unfolded, we have the gift of knowing how the story ends. For them, that morning was filled with uncertainty and fear. They did not expect the profound change that awaited them; they did not foresee the triumphant rise of their Saviour.

As we stand here today, let the rising sun serve as a powerful reminder of the risen Son, who conquered death and reigns in grace and love. His victory over the grave assures us that death will never have the final word. He demonstrates what it means to triumph over the obstacles that weigh us down, even our greatest fear: death itself.

Now, I won’t pretend to have all the answers to the worries that may burden our hearts today. Life can be challenging, and that’s okay. But ultimately, I hold fast to the promise that what we face here matters little in the grand scheme of what lies ahead. If our struggles seem daunting now, in light of the eternal life promised through Christ, they become less significant in the next life.

Today, we reflect on this amazing mystery that began over two millennia ago. For those of us who find strength and enlightenment in these remarkable events, it is no longer a mystery at all, but a source of profound inspiration and hope.

On the one hand, it seems that something that could not happen, did, in fact, happen. On the other hand, he argues that our understanding of “what CAN happen” is limited by foolish and temporal views.

As we embark on this Easter morning, may we celebrate the resurrection and the hope it brings, reminding us that love and grace are ever-present, as real today as they were for those first disciples. They are still mysteries, yet they also made it clear that mystery matters and is a part of life for everyone. Ignoring this is foolish and ultimately limiting in terms of seeking truth. Mystery exists because all our attempts eventually fail. There is something beyond explanation, and that will always be true. Mystery matters, and that is what we speak of today.

I don’t know what happened exactly, as if I lived then but held a camcorder to record it. Sometimes, God simply steps outside what we think is the natural order to reveal something new. It happened then and still happens today. It seems God is willing to step in from time to time, and this particular time, it appears (at least to me) to be a time God clearly defined our understanding of life juxtaposed with His. We find ourselves a little too smart for our good, and because of this, we miss, ignore and often reject truths we have trouble comprehending. That does not make them untrue, it makes us inherently unwilling to seek truth to its ultimate conclusions. That makes them, beyond present comprehension – mystery in other words. And that is one thing we lack today. We lack the ability to think mystically.

Today is an absolute rejection of norms. Mystery exists, and there is hope in what is currently unknown and the believed. We are nowhere near as smart as we think we are. People in the past were not silly or dumb. Mystery exists. And today, represents the greatest mystery humankind has ever even considered possible.

For me, there is no mystery. Promises were made. Promises were kept. Evidence has been presented. And we are asked one question – is mystery possible – can God do more than we expect? And the answer is an absolute and resounding yes! God can bring the Son back to life and because he has proven that, we can believe He will do the same for us, those who believe in the resurrection of Christ.

As the Apostle Paul notes while confronting this exact same question: “Now to him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Let us worship together our greatest mystery of faith! That Christ has died, is risen, and will come again!

Opening Prayer

Gracious and loving God,

We gather in the quiet of this sunrise, filled with awe and wonder at the glory of this Easter morning. As the light of dawn breaks forth, we are reminded of the miraculous light of Christ’s resurrection, dispelling darkness and bringing hope to the world.

Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, who overcame the grave and opened the way to eternal life. As we celebrate this joyous day, fill our hearts with the joy of the resurrection, and renew our spirits in Your love and grace.

May this time of worship inspire us to live as Easter people, sharing the Good News with all we encounter. Be with us in this sacred moment and throughout the days to come.

We pray this in the name of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Song: Amazing Grace My Chains are Gone

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18

SONG: In Christ Alone

Message

At the time of Jesus’ death, when a close friend or relative died, it became someone’s duty to close the eyes and kiss the cheek of the dead. When Christ died, this became the duty of two men: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. The pair went together to see Pontius Pilate and begged for the body of their Lord.

Being that Jesus would have first been nailed to the cross and then dropped into place in a pre-dug hole, the two men would have to use all of their might to raise the vertical beam out from the soil and lay it on the ground. After laying the cross down, these men would then have the uncomfortable task of removing the spikes from his hands and feet. Most often, when this was done by a loved one, the hands and feet would simply be pulled up over the spike head (rather than trying to remove them from the wood and of course, crushing the hands and feet to do so).

Once the body had been properly loosened, the two men would wrap Jesus in a large sheet and carry him to the Tomb that Joseph of Arimathea had donated to him. The tomb was an extravagant gift. It would have been carved out of the hillside and into a cave. On the outside, it would be entered by a short tunnel. It would be secured by a large stone disk of about 3 feet high. A groove would be carved in the ground to hold it in place, making it extremely difficult to open. On the inside, it would have two chambers, one in front of the other. In the front, there would be ledges on each side wall and perhaps a central piece of raised stone used to clean the body. Although it was newly purchased and so legally must have been unused, the second chamber would have been reserved for the family bones. At first, a body would be placed in the first chamber, cleaned, perfumed, and wrapped again in burial clothes. Then it would be moved to one of the shelves on the sides. The eyes would be closed, and cheeks kissed. Then a cloth would be placed over the face.

Cemeteries were on the edges of town, and space for them was very costly, and cemeteries were considered “unclean”. After one year, when the body had fully decomposed and only the bones remained, the family would return to carefully collect the bones, place them in a small stone box called an ossuary. Then it would be moved to the second chamber to save space and make room for the next person who might pass. But in Jesus’ case, this simply would not be necessary.

For the men, a 7 day time of mourning would begin. The mourners would return to a place of rest while others came to console them. No doubt, when Joseph of Arimathea helped push the stone in front of the entryway, he thought it was all over.

Three days passed like an eternity.

In our text, Mary comes first to the empty tomb. She sees the stone rolled away, and it frightens her. In a time of sadness, the body of her Lord had disappeared. And so she runs to get Peter and John, and together they run to the tomb as fast as they can. John (the younger of the two) outran Peter, and when they came to the tomb, John simply could not do anything more than stop and stare inside.

From his view, he sees the grave clothes lying in disarray. For him, no doubt, this was an extreme oddity. Who, after all, would steal a body, leaving the expensive burial clothing behind, only to take what would surely be a recognizable body out into the open for all to see?

When Peter arrives, he does just as we might expect him to do. His brash nature compels him, and he rushes into the tomb. There he finds the clothes, but also something else. He sees the covering Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus have placed over the face of Christ. It is neatly cared for and folded, lying at the head of the dressing stone.

It is at this point that there is often much confusion. Upon seeing the face covering folded in place, John tells us in verse 8 that the disciple “saw and believed”.

But just what had the disciple believed?

The answer is held in four places. The first is in what Mary told the two men in the first place, to get them to come and see the Tomb. In verse 2, it says, “So Mary came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

The second clue is from verse 13, where again Mary reiterates her confusion. Here, the messengers in the Tomb beg of her, “Why are you crying?” to which she answers, “They have taken my Lord away… and I don’t know where they have put him”.

The third clue is found in verse 15, where Mary is speaking to Jesus himself, whom she believes to be the gardener. Here she cries out to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him.”

And the final clue to the puzzle is found in verse 9, where it is plainly said, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”.

So just what is it that the disciples “saw and believed”?

The answer is that the “saw and believed” just what Mary had told them… that someone had “taken the Lord out of the tomb,” and she didn’t know where the body had gone.

Of course, we know what happened. We have the benefit of looking back and hearing other accounts. The answer to what happened to Jesus is only one verse from what we read this morning.

But early in the morning, we have gathered here just on the cusp of a coming celebration. We have gathered here to share in the confusion of the dusk. On Good Friday, just like Joseph of Arimathea, we kissed the cheeks of Christ and covered his face with linen, and said goodbye. In a short time, we will celebrate, but first, we must ask what happened to the body of Christ. We must ask who folded the face cloth, and more importantly, ask, “Who is the man in the garden with us?”. What do you believe?

Song: The Way

Prayer

Gracious God,

As the morning light breaks upon us, we stand united in awe and wonder at the mystery of the empty tomb. In this moment of reflection and anticipation, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, whose sacrifice has brought us life and hope.

Just as Mary, Peter, and John once stood bewildered, we gather here today, eager to comprehend the depth of Your love revealed through the resurrection. Help us to seek understanding, and to embrace the joy and new beginnings that Easter promises.

As we depart from here, may we carry the risen Christ in our hearts, sharing the light of His love with all we meet. Strengthen our faith, renew our spirits, and guide us in Your ways so we might serve You faithfully with gratitude and grace.

We pray all this in the name of Jesus, our risen Lord. Amen.

Benediction

Now go forth into this Easter day with hearts filled with joy and wonder.

May the peace of the risen Christ be with you,

The love of God surround you,

And the power of the Holy Spirit sustain you, now and forevermore.

Rejoice in the resurrection and share the good news:

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.

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The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on Palm Sunday
10:00 am April 13, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie     Welcoming Elder: Shirley Simpson
Children’s time presenter: Brad     Reader: Andrea Gartrell

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: Cheers fill the air,
P: The sound of hope and victory.
L: For the time being, the people wear glad hearts,
P: Their King has come into his own.
L: So we come with hope this day,
P: To worship God, who sent Jesus into our midst.

Opening praise: Way maker

Prayers of approach and confession
Holy God,
Source, Saviour and Spirit of all life,
Holy Three and Holy One,
In you, we confront the mystery of mercy and the courage of compassion.
As we face the cross on which Christ gave himself,
we confront your willingness to die for us so that we might find new life.

As the Spirit speaks to us through the story of your amazing love,
spilled out in the blood of Christ,
our hearts are moved to praise you.
Words cannot express our awe,
the grief and the gratitude stirring within us,
for all you have given us,
and for all you will give us through such unspeakable love.

We fall silent in wonder and praise, Holy God.
Keep silence for 15 seconds.
Merciful God,
Filled with wonder and praise,
we acknowledge to you how often we fall short of your purposes for us.

We confess it is easier for us to follow the crowd
than follow Christ;
we prefer to avoid conflict
rather than stand up for your mercy and understanding.
We allow strident voices in our times
to drown out your wisdom and truth.
Forgive us, O God.
Fill us with the courage to take up our cross and follow Jesus,
even when the cost to follow is high
and reputations are at stake,
for we pray in Jesus’ holy name.  Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s love
The Apostle Paul wrote: “This saying is sure and worthy of our full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”.
It doesn’t matter how big or how small our sins;
God’s forgiving love in Jesus Christ can cover them all.
Trust that, in Christ, we are forgiven.
Be at peace with God, with yourself and with each other.

Dayspring Singers: Jubilate Deo

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Hosanna (Praise is rising)

Children’s time and the Lord’s Prayer (535)

Song: All glory, laud and honor (214)

Scripture reading: Luke 19:28-4

Response: Jesus remember me

A Palm Sunday Drama
Echoes of Betrayal and Redemption (re written by Brad)

Intro (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

 JUDAS ISCARIOT (holding a bag of coins)

Reflects, with sorrow in eyes, approaches the altar to place the bag of coins, but keeps holding the bag.

Was I there? Oh, I was there—Judas Iscariot, the unwitting architect of betrayal. You may never grasp the complexities of my choices, but if only you could have known Jesus as I did—perhaps your judgment would soften.
Jesus was a beacon of hope! His words flowed like water, a torrent of wisdom that captivated thousands. He possessed the charisma to rally our people and ignite a revolution against those oppressive Romans. I believed he was destined to lead us into a new era… but then, he shattered my expectations. “My kingdom is not of this world?” How could he waste such potential?
Disappointment gnaws at my soul. A man who forsakes his own destiny deserves betrayal, doesn’t he? Yet, as I stand here, I can’t erase the memory of those piercing eyes that seemed to read my very soul. How I wish he had turned away—if only for a moment! Perhaps it would ease my agony…

Judas places the bag of coins gently on the altar, a symbol of choices and regrets.

Interlude (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

PETER (brandishing a Roman helmet)
With deep regret, voice quaking, step up to the altar, holds the helmet.

How could I betray him? Me Peter!

“Count on me, Jesus! I am your rock, your steadfast ally,” I promised him, just hours before. I believed wholeheartedly that nothing could sever our bond. And yet, when the moment came, I denied him—three times!

I spat out lies to those soldiers and even to a mere servant.
I never “knew” him? How foolish! I had recognized him atop that mountain, grasping the truth: he was not just a man but the Son of God, living among us.

My heart aches for the truth I abandoned.

Now, he faces death, and I—guilt-ridden and powerless—can do nothing to make it right. The chance to apologize slipped through my fingers like grains of sand. Oh, if only I could turn back time, to stand by him once more!

Sets the helmet down with reverence, a reminder of his earthly bravado and spiritual failure.

Interlude (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

CAIAPHAS, THE HIGH PRIEST (holding a nail and mallet)

With an attitude of arrogance, a hint of disdain, steps forward, places the nail and mallet on the altar with dismissal.

It’s a tragedy about that young man… Jesus, isn’t it?

Judging by the throngs who followed him, he must’ve had a charm.

But we cannot have disruptors lurking among us! His teachings of love and humility are a threat—flouting our sacred Law, deriding traditions.

He showed no respect for me—Caiaphas, the High Priest!
He stood before our council as if untouchable, wielding a power not of this world. Yet, his defiance marked his downfall. Thank goodness we silenced him before he could lead others astray!

Though, I cannot ignore the unrest he sowed among our people.

Touches the nail and mallet, scowsl as he looks at the items, remnants of the burden of his authority.

Interlude (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

PILATE (clutching a crown of thorns and whip)

With weariness in his voice – Wrestling with inner conflict, approaches the altar holding the crown of thorns and whip, symbols of reluctant authority.
Why was I – Pilate – assigned to this forsaken place?

This land overrun with zealots and rebels! Day in and day out, they bring me their petty squabbles, and now, this—Jesus.

They have no valid claims against him, merely fueled by blind jealousy and fear.
I’ve never witnessed such courage!

He bore the suffering with a strength that left me in awe—a testament to his spirit. I wanted to save him… I truly did.

But the mob—whipping up chaos—left me no choice but to protect myself.

I’ve washed my hands of this…

Yet, I cannot forget that look he gave me; it haunts me still.

Places the whip on the altar, symbolizing the power he relinquished and the life he could not save.

Interlude (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

THE CRIMINAL (shackled, with chains around shoulders)

A hint of resignation in his voice. Weary, acknowledging his fate.

Moving forward, dragging the weight of the chains, a symbol of surrender.

It’s the end for him, the one they call Jesus…

And now, it’s the end for me as well, just a few fleeting hours before the agony consumes me—me, a criminal condemned to face the ultimate price for my sins.

(Gazes into the distance, reflecting on the gravity of the moment.)

I anticipated a death filled with sheer defiance, shouting curses and cries of rebellion until my last breath. “You will not take me without a fight!” I thought, believing that to die would be an act of bravery—for what was left of my life but a cycle of despair and regret?

(looks at the chains before continuing.)

But here I hang, side by side with him—a man unexpected, a man who speaks of love and forgiveness in the face of betrayal.

With each labored breath, I can feel the pain of my past closing in on me, yet in this catastrophic moment, something remarkable is unfolding. For the first time, the pain fades into a profound sense of peace—an unexpected grace that washes over me, all thanks to him.

Who would think I could find a flicker of hope in this hellish moment where despair should reign? I am a man broken by choices, shackled by the weight of my sins—yet here, next to him, I feel an ironic comfort, a glimmer of wholeness, as though he sees me not as a criminal but as a lost soul yearning for redemption.

(Holds the chains as a sacred symbol as his eyes well up with tears.)

God, thank you for this gift, even in my last breath. In my final hours, I realize that I am not merely defined by my past—a life of crime and darkness—but that love, even in its most sacrificial form, can reach the deepest depths of a heart like mine.

(Slowly place the shackles on the communion table, with reverence.)

These chains are my testament—a reminder of my past sins and the freedom I embrace in acceptance of Christ. They symbolize my life, filled with choices that led me astray, but now they serve as a touchstone for the transformation that can only happen through love, through him.

In this sacred hour, I find courage in vulnerability. I stand here not just as a condemned man, but as a witness to the transformative power of grace. Perhaps, even through my anguish, I can become part of the greater story—a story of love that conquers all

MODERN CHRISTIAN (holding a Bible)
With urgency and passion, raises his voice, placing the Bible on the altar as a symbol of faith and the teachings they strive to uphold.
Was I there? A perplexing thought for someone living two millennia later… So many questions swirl in my mind. Why did it have to happen? Why did God allow such injustice?
Can we truly fathom the depths of human cruelty? Even today, we continue to crucify goodness and love, silencing compassion for the sake of convenience. We know peace is essential yet wage wars; we see the starving and turn away, grasping our comforts tighter.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount—words that could transform lives—are too often brushed aside, just as he was.
Yes, I stand here as one connected to Peter, Judas, Caiaphas, and the others, echoing the pain and choices they made. We may wear different skins and live in different times, but the struggle remains the same. The essence of Good Friday reverberates through generations—a chilling reminder of our tendencies to shy away from love and righteousness in favor of self-preservation.
Pauses, allows the words to settle in the hearts of those gathered.

And yet, amid this darkness, we possess a knowledge they did not; we know of Easter Sunday! The light that pierces the shadows of despair. The cross represents more than just suffering—it signifies hope, resurrection, and the triumph of love over death.
With fervor, lifts voice higher:
Let us not forget that we carry this legacy forward. Today, our challenge is to embody the love that Jesus exemplified, to break the chains of indifference that bind us to our own betrayals.
Looking toward the audience, concludes with unwavering hope:
Yes, the questions may linger, and the answers may evade us, but on this Good Friday, let us vow to seek the light amidst the shadows and embrace the miracle of the resurrection that awaits us!

The characters gathered behind the altar to stand and look down in thought upon their representative items—a bag of coins, a helmet, a nail and mallet, a whip, shackles, and a Bible

All invited to join in a few moments of reflective silence. Each object tells a story of betrayal, regret, redemption, and the eternal quest for love and forgiveness.

Sanctuary lights are turned off

Interlude (piano): Were you there when they crucified my Lord

The congregation is immersed in thought. The echo of their shared humanity resonates throughout the space as they ponder the profound impact of these timeless stories, inviting all gathered to examine their own lives and the choices they make.

Sanctuary lights are turned back ON.

Message: The Lord of it, has use

Luke 19:28-40 describes the event commonly known as the “Triumphal Entry,” when Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey. As He approached the city, He sent two of His disciples to find a colt that had never been ridden, instructing them to say that the Lord needs it. The disciples went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said, and they brought it to Him. They placed their cloaks on the colt, and Jesus rode it into Jerusalem.

As He entered, the people spread palm branches and their cloaks on the road and began to praise God joyfully for all the miracles they had witnessed, proclaiming, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! And because Rulers rode donkey’s in times of peace they also sing, “Peace in heaven and glory to God in the highest!”

Next Luke notes that some Pharisees who were in the crowd spoke up at this point and commanded Jesus to rebuke His disciples for their praise. In response Jesus replied that if the crowd kept silent, God woud just cause the stones on the ground to cry out in their place.

Two things strike me. 1. If we fail to Praise Him, Praise will happen anyway. 2. While the passage reads in English, “the Lord needs it”, this is probably not the best way to say it. Think about it for a second. Does God need anything from us?

In the biblical narrative, God is portrayed as all-sufficient and in complete control of creation; He does not “need” anything in the human sense. When Jesus stated, “The Lord needs it,” it highlights God’s capability to utilize our circumstances and resources for His divine plans but is not dependant upon it in any way, shape or form.

In addition to this, the phrase may be saying more than we first notice. One way that this passage can be read is as follows, and I think it fits far better. It’s “The Lord of it, has use.”. Read the first way, this passage seems to suggest that God needs something from the donkey, a foolish thought, but said the other way, Jesus is the Lord of the donkey, whether it knows it or not, and Jesus means that it’s God can give it’s life purpose and something meaningful to do. That’s a very different reading.

Does God need it, or can it’s God make use of it? That is the question, and I suspect you know my answer. God can use it, and if God does, that’s a blessing to the one found useful, not to the all-powerful creator of the universe. In the same way, God does not need me to praise Him. And if I didn’t, another would. And if no person did, as Jesus says, the rocks themselves would do it in our stead.

As Isaiah 46:9-10 declares, “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purposes.'”

God’s choice to involve this animal and by extension, us in His plans, demonstrates His desire for relationship and partnership, reaffirming that our participation is a privilege rather than an obligation. Understanding that God does not need anything from us invites us to serve with humility and faithfulness, recognizing that He graciously allows us to partake in His divine work.

For me, personally, it reminds me of when I was a kid and I went to the shed and got my dad’s hammer and wrapped it up in a box with a bow on top and gave it to him for birthday. It’s a goofy thing to do, but it’s what we do every day with God. Like the donkey and like 6-year-old Bradley, we have nothing to give the Lord, which does not first belong to God already.

The donkey did not choose to be part of the narrative but fulfilled its role nonetheless. The donkey reminds us that those who might not consciously acknowledge God’s authority, still serve His purpose. As it says in Psalm 50:10-12, “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.”

While God has the power to act independently, He frequently chooses to work through us. By calling Him “Lord,” we acknowledge His authority and yield to His guidance, becoming instruments for His work on Earth.

Everyone in the story makes a choice to accept or reject his Lordship.

The crowds accept the version of him they expected but later rejected the real him. The Ciaphas leda a plot against him and orchestrates his trial. The disciples like Peter (their leader) claimes to be a stranger and abandons him. Pilate untimately allows for his condemnation and conviction because it was easier for his that way. And even at the end, we see two more examples and two more “last chances” to be utilized by God. Time after time, everyone failed him. Until that last criminal spoke up… the one person no one would expect to praise him. Like a rock compelled to praise because all the other voices failed to do so.

I don’t for a second believe that God needs our praise. But we all have a choice to make. And we can all become tools in the hands of a loving master. If we do, we are blessed by the opportunity. And if we don’t, God will find a way to make the dregs and the rock do our job for us.

May the Lord of your life, bless you with usefulness.

May your life be in his hands because you call him Lord and mean it.

And may His perfect will be done, even if we fail to speak up at times, and the rocks have to do it for us. Amen.

Song: Hosanna (216)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves
In glad thanksgiving for all the blessings we know in this life, we give you our praise. We thank you for the gifts of music, art, poetry and science and for all the ways you reveal your wisdom to us. Accept our offerings and use them and us for the building of your kingdom in this world. In Jesus’s name we pray,
Almighty God,
Christ came to us in humility,
reaching out to all your little ones with mercy and compassion.
You ask us to do the same.
So today we pray for all those who find themselves in humble circumstances:
for those who do not have any or adequate shelter in our community and in this country;
for the poor and all who find themselves without sufficient resources to cope and flourish;
for those who live in isolation and loneliness.
Strengthen them in your mercy,
and humble us, lest we forget how much we have to be grateful for.

God of care and compassion,
we pray for all those who have been humbled by life’s unexpected turns.
We remember before you
those who face illness, pain or injury; (Pause)
those who have known death or disaster, fear or failure; (Pause)
and all who struggle with anxiety and uncertainty. (Pause)
We pray for victims of crime
and those who suffer through the misjudgment or mistakes of others. (Pause)
And we pray for those who suffer because of the consequences
of their own actions and choices. (Pause)
Embrace them in your mercy,
and humble us, lest we imagine we can live lives untouched by trouble.

God of power and might,
hear us as we pray for those who have not learned the lessons of humility yet:
for those who live carelessly or drive recklessly, endangering themselves and others; (Pause)
for those who abuse the trust and power in their positions,
betraying those whose interests are in their hands; (Pause)
And we pray for those who mislead others for gain
or indulge their fame with no thought for the example they set. (Pause)
Humble them in your mercy,
And humble us if we are tempted to ignore the consequences of our own actions.
God of grace and transformation, hear us now as we speak to you of people and places near and dear to our hearts, whose comforts are few and struggles too many. Amen.

Song: Be thou my vision (461)

Sending out with God’s blessing

As we leave this place, may the joy of Palm Sunday fill your hearts and continue to grow. May you carry this spirit of praise and celebration into this coming week. May your palm branches be held high with gratitude for the love and grace of your Saviour and may the rocks be unneeded, for the Lord, of you, has use and you have already joined His praise. Amen.

Response: Benediction (As you go)

Music Postlude

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the Fifth Sunday of Lent
10:00 am April 6, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Rom Rhoad     Welcoming Elder: Iris Routledge
Reader: Maddie Childs

We gather to worship God

Music Prelude

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

Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship

Call to worship:
L: We are here to follow Jesus
P: With halting steps.
L: And questioning minds
P: With ready hands
L: And pierced hearts
P: With joy for each other
L: And gratitude to God.
P: Let us follow Jesus,
L: And let us worship God.

Opening praise: Amazing grace (my chains are gone)

Prayers of approach and confession
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life,
We come before you today with hearts filled with gratitude.
We praise you for the beauty of your creation, for the dependable rhythms of nature,
And for the intricate relationships that sustain us.
We honor you for Christ and the ministry we strive to imitate,
For his teachings, his love, and his unwavering commitment to justice and compassion.
By the power of your Spirit, illuminate our hearts during this time of worship,
And inspire us to spread kindness and hope to those we encounter this week in Jesus’ name.
As we gather in your presence, we lift our voices in praise,
Acknowledging your greatness and your eternal goodness.
So we glorify you, O God,
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life,
Offering you our love, devotion, and service,
Today and every day, now and forever.
Lord Jesus Christ, as we gather in your sacred name today,
We are increasingly aware of your journey toward the cross,
Where love meets sacrifice and hope is born anew.
We confess that following your story is not always easy.
We acknowledge our struggles in deciding how to give, when to act, and whom to help.
At times, we find ourselves critical of those in need and dismissive of those who assist them,
Choosing comfort over compassion.
Forgive us for seeking reasons not to share our blessings,
And for holding back when we should be extending our hands in generosity,
As you have taught us to do.
Lead us to learn from your example, to embrace the call to serve with open hearts,
And to follow the path of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
May we embody your love and grace in all our actions,
Transforming ourselves and the world around us. Amen.

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s love
Hear the good news! Who has the right to judge us? Only Christ—
And Christ died for us, rose for us, and now reigns in power for us.
He continually intercedes on our behalf, reminding us of God’s unending love.
Believe in the transformative message of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness and are set free through God’s boundless grace.
No matter our shortcomings or struggles, we are renewed and restored,
Embracing the hope and freedom that comes from being loved without condition.
Let us rejoice in this gift and share it with those around us.

We listen for the voice of God            

Song: Praise I will praise (420)

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Response: Jesus remember me

Message: Spoil, Love, Pamper!

I’ve loved folk singer James Taylor’s music ever since the first time I heard it, and I’ll never forget how. I first encountered him in cartoon form. He was a guest star on the Television show The Simpsons in a famous episode where Homer (the father) becomes an astronaut. Trouble ensues as expected, and James is brought in to play a song for Homer to calm him down because Homer is almost certain to never return home again. If you know James Taylor’s music, you know why. He was chosen for good reason.

James Taylor’s got something so calming about him. I like, “How sweet it is to be loved by you”. I love “I’ve seen Fire and I’ve seen Rain”. My favorite is probably “Going to Carolia in my mind”. One of his lesser hits is called “Shower The People”.

These are a few of the lyrics:
Oh, Father and Mother
And sister and brother
If it feels nice
Don’t think twice

Just shower the people you love with love
Show them the way that you feel
Things are gonna work out fine
If you only will

Better to
Shower the people you love with love
Yes, and show them the way that you feel
I know things are gonna be just fine.
If you only will

Each word is a gentle nudge, urging us to embrace those we hold dear while they are still present. As time slips through our fingers like sand, I’ve come to appreciate this message more with each passing year. No, I may not always articulate my feelings as well as I wish, but the desire to express love is ever-growing.

I’ve officiated well over 100 funeral and memorial services at this point in my life, including the one for my father. And I have to say that there is a common theme at every single one of them without fail. Those tears of love, those pretty flowers we bought them, those hours and hours of diving into old pictures and sharing cherished memories and funny stories and amazing details, those deeply kind and heartfelt words we say while holding back the tears… there was always a better time for every one of them.

And while it’s always important to do and say these things as we say our goodbyes, it inevitably strikes us all – It would have been far better to look through those pictures together with the person we lost; to go over and over those favorite stories with that person present; to buy those flowers for that person when they could enjoy them most, to say “I love you so incredibly much” when the person could and most needed to hear it. At the memorial, we take those last moments to say what we didn’t say enough, to pamper and spoil and love them like we always wanted to but couldn’t do enough. At every service, that thought lingers in my mind like a distant melody.

When Mary used that pint of expensive perfume on Jesus, she was not worried about how much it cost. What Mary was doing was giving Jesus His flowers while He was still there by her side. And it’s a good reminder to all of us.

John’s chapter 12 is the turning point in John’s gospel. While John 1-11 deals with Jesus’ ministry, from chapter 12 on, he will deal only with Jesus’ final week of life.

These events took place in Bethany, a small town blossoming with sweet figs and aromatic dates, situated just east of Jerusalem on the gentle slopes of the Mount of Olives. It’s a comforting haven where Jesus and his disciples undoubtedly felt at home.

Bethany is in the West Bank, 2.5 km east of Jerusalem on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives. Bethany was originally a Galilean settlement (ossuaries – ancient coffins or bone boxes from the time, reveal mostly Galilean names on them), meaning Jesus and his disciples would have felt quite comfortable there.

According to the Temple Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Bethany was the site of three separate care homes for the sick. At least one house reserved for the care of lepers was set up by the Essenes, and an almsgiving station that fed the poor. This is interesting because this seems to be the sole reason for the town’s existence. Bethany was and still is extremely small. To date, it only has around 3000 people.

In ancient times, Bethany was a sanctuary for the ailing, offering care to the sick and vulnerable. Here, the air would have been infused with the sweet scents of blooming fruit trees.

The town smelled of sweet figs, dates, date-wine and vineyards. Palm trees lined the roads. It was here where Jesus would begin his journey down the hill on Palm Sunday, and it was here that a close reading of scripture would suggest he returned the Bethany each night for rest, even after he had entered Jerusalem.

On several occasions, the gospels mention Jesus going to a “solitary place” up the Mount of Olives at the end of the day. This is the trail to Bethany. Lazarus’ home in Bethany was also, in all probability, where most (male disciples at least) would flee on the night of Jesus’ arrest. Because the soldiers led Jesus westward through the garden of Gethsemane, his friends no doubt would flee east, which once again leads to Bethany. Yet, beneath its serene exterior, this town was witness to profound moments, like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, an act of love that sparked both wonder and ultimately conspiracy.

Verse nine in the previous chapter tells us that word got out that Jesus was staying in Bethany, and a host of people came out to see. Jesus had kept a low profile in the eyes of the authorities in Jerusalem and spent the last winter after Lazarus was raised from the dead in and around Jericho. The problem with this crowd in this case was not that they wanted to see Jesus but that they seemed more interested in seeing Lazarus, whom Jesus raised.

Jesus lived among sign seekers. They were more interested in the signs and wonders than the One who performed them. This crowd of sightseers wanted to see the sign. Here, the One who is the Resurrection and the Life was in their midst, but Lazarus was on their minds. The verse reads painfully, “They came to see Lazarus.” This is the crowd that would have followed Jesus the next day in the “Triumphal Entry.” If you have ever found it strange how quickly the crowd turns on Jesus from cheering at the triumphal entry to calling for his death just a day later, this is part of the answer. Many of them were not his followers at all, just people caught up in the excitement of an event and later, a parade.

To be blunt, the timeline for these events is more than a bit messy. Although each gospel mentions this account, the day and anointing don’t always appear to line up. John’s telling of the story relies heavily (as his whole gospel does) on comparative organization of stories that mirror one another, unlike Luke, who seems to present a more focused chronological order of events, as one might expect for a historian. In any case, John states that the day is six days before Passover. Some have argued this as a clear place where the bible contradicts itself. However, it is worth noting that the Romans believed the day began at midnight. The Greek day started at dawn, as most of us probably think of it. And the Hebrew reckoning of the start of the day was sunset because that is how the story of creation in Genesis begins. In other words, it’s hard to tell what version of “day” and “night” the authors use or intend for their audiences.

According to John’s timeline, dinner with Lazarus and his sisters would likely have been on March 28th in 33 AD. The next day, we celebrate as “Palm Sunday” would be the 29^th of that same year.

Just like in the previous story of Mary and Martha, while Mary is giving affection to Jesus, Martha works hard to serve her guests. In this case, Mary takes the job of washing Jesus’ feet with water as people would do for guests at the time. But Mary becomes distracted by his teaching and begins intently listening. All the while, Martha is working hard.

The text says, Martha was “doing many things” and picking up the slack. When Martha complains, Jesus lovingly uses her name twice, “Martha, Martha,” as was a custom of affection, and lets her know that it’s good for her sister to sit listening to him. Now, at this point, far too many sermons will tell the congregation that the point of the story is to be a Mary and not a Martha. But this is not fair, to be honest. Martha is said in the text to be (de-ok-a-neh-oh) for “serving,” but this word is also the basis for the word Deacon in the church. In other words, what she is doing is the work of the Church. Martha’s service is no less important than her sisters’. It’s just different.

Similarly to the previous story, Jesus and Lazarus are described as reclining at the table while Martha is hard at work, and Mary can be found at the feet of Jesus. But this time is very odd. And it’s very dark. John’s language recalls not a banquet but a funeral.

Mary goes to Jesus’ feet and pours half a litre of rare spikenard from a flower that grows atop the high mountains in northern India. It is described as being “undiluted” or pure. At the time, these jars were alabaster and sealed at the top. The only way to open one was to break the neck of the bottle.

The passage says that she “anointed” his feet with the perfume, but of course, anointing is done to a person’s head and not the feet. Anointings were done on the head before parties or on the heads of kings at coronations. But there is one time when people poured oil on a person’s feet. They did it during the burial preparations, beginning with the feet and working their way up the body to the head.

John’s storytelling is far darker than a first reading might suggest. In his telling, Mary breaks the neck of the jar and begins preparing Jesus’ body for burial. Next undoes her fair and wipes his feet dry with it.

Now you have to understand the culture a bit here. Jewish women never unbound their hair in public. Women untied their hair if they were undressing for a new husband, at the time of bathing and just for one other reason. Can you guess what that is? I suspect you might have picked up on this. It’s done at Funerals.

It seems as if Mary may have assumed what others had not yet deduced – that Jesus would soon enough be dead.

In response to this extravagant act of love. Judas protests that the perfume could have been sold and the money used to help people experiencing poverty. And at first glance, his objection seems not only fair but also very fitting, being that Bethany is the site of its very own house of almsgiving. He’s not exactly wrong. Though we know, there is more to the story. The year’s salary this perfume was worth wouldn’t have all made its way to the poor. Judas, it seems, was stealing a share of everything that came through.

Jesus’ response, “You will always have the poor,” is essential. This is a quote. It comes from Deuteronomy 15:11, which reminds us that our duty will always include care for the poor. In other words, though Jesus’ words seem a bit harsh at first, his comment isn’t that it must be one or the other. It is that “this too is good”. He notes, “You will not always have me”. Mary’s hunch that this is indeed a funeral is correct.

In the song “Shower the People,” Taylor beautifully encapsulates the importance of showing love while we still have the opportunity. As we gather to remember loved ones, we often realize a poignant truth—we tend to celebrate our loved ones’ lives most profoundly, without their presence.

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to postpone expressing our feelings, believing we will have more opportunities later. But as life teaches us through bittersweet farewells, tomorrow is never promised. The clarity that comes from reflection, especially moments like those spent at memorials, can often reveal just how fleeting our time is with those we cherish. There’s a profound lesson in Mary’s unapologetic act of love—she understood the urgency and immediacy of affection and acted upon it.

If we harbor feelings of gratitude or love, let’s not wait. Speak them out loud. Let’s shower them with praise and acknowledgment if our friends or family have impacted our lives. The power of the spoken word is transformative; it can uplift, heal wounds, and forge deeper connections.

As James Taylor so beautifully illustrated in “Shower the People,” love is a gift that thrives in the present. It’s a reminder to celebrate those we cherish while they can still hear our words, see our smiles, and feel our embraces. Doing so creates a symphony of connection that sings long after the music fades.

Find the people you love and show them how you feel. Pamper them, say you love them, and spoil them while you can, and remember to do the same for the God who not only would but did die just for you. Amen.

Song: I give you my heart     

We respond to serve God.

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves
Gracious God, even as Mary poured out her love for Jesus,
he was preparing to pour out his life on the cross for her and for us all.
We are grateful for such love, given and received, then given again.
Accept the gifts we bring and anoint them with your Spirit
so that they will flow into the world, refreshing others with your mercy and love.
O God, in whom we live, move, and find our purpose,
We come to you in prayer, trusting that you are with us
Through the highs and lows, the joys and sorrows of these challenging times.
We give you thanks for every sign of your presence among us:
For every unexpected act of kindness,
Every word of comfort or encouragement,
Every display of courage in the face of injustice,
Every hopeful step toward reconciliation amid conflict,
And every moment of healing in the presence of danger or disease.
Thank you for your unwavering presence in all things.
In this unpredictable world, we lift up those
Whose lives are entrenched in chaos or oppression,
For those who live in fear, unable to walk freely,
And we remember all who feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty of our times:
May those living in fear find the courage to continue on,
Knowing they are not alone in your company.
As the stories of Jesus lead us toward the cross, O God,
We pray for those who walk the road of suffering.
We remember before you those
Whose lives have been plunged into sorrow or despair
Due to tragic loss, critical illness, or chronic pain,
And those facing complex problems that seem endless:
May all of these individuals know your comfort and compassion.
O God, the stories of Jesus remind us
That he faced the demands of many and the pressures of critics.
We pray for all who are exhausted these days,
Juggling more responsibilities with fewer resources at work or home,
For those who feel they can’t get anything right,
And for all facing unfair criticism and high expectations
In the burdens they bear on behalf of others:
May all of these be strengthened by your Spirit of justice and mercy.
O God, we seek to embrace your presence in our unique ways.
Anoint us with your Spirit of healing and hope, and bring peace to our lives and to this world you cherish. Amen.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

Invitation
Friends in Christ,
We are invited to the table of grace, a sacred meal prepared for all who seek to know God more fully. This is not a table for the perfect, but a place for those who recognize their need for forgiveness, healing, and renewal.
Come, not because you must, but because you may.
Come, not to testify to your goodness, but because you acknowledge your need for God’s mercy and grace.
Come, as you are, and partake of this holy meal,
Knowing that in Christ, all are welcomed and loved.

Song: You satisfy the hungry heart (538: vss 1,2,3,5)

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,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended to hell.
The third day, he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick 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

Gracious and loving God,

We gather at this table, united in our faith and need for your presence.

With hearts full of gratitude, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Who walked among us, teaching us the ways of love, kindness, and humility.

He showed us the depth of your love and the promise of redemption in his life and ministry.

As we partake in this holy meal, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice he made for our salvation.

We are thankful for the bread, which symbolizes his body, broken for us.

And the cup, representing his blood, was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

In this sacred moment, we pause to reflect on the grace offered to us,

And we acknowledge our need for healing and renewal in our lives.

May this bread and cup nourish not only our bodies but our souls,

Filling us with your Spirit and inspiring us to be agents of your love in the world.

Help us to carry this love into our communities,

To serve those who are marginalized, to comfort those who are hurting,

And to bring hope to those who are lost.

In the quietness of our hearts, we confess our shortcomings,

And we seek your forgiveness, knowing that you welcome us with open arms.

May we, in turn, extend that same grace to others,

Living out the call to be peacemakers and advocates for justice.

As we share this meal, draw us closer to you and to one another,

Strengthening our bonds as a community of faith.

May this communion transform us, renewing our commitment to follow you,

And empowering us to share the good news of your love with all we encounter.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen.

Sharing of the Bread and Wine

Song: One bread one body (540)

Prayer after Communion

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

Sending out with God’s blessing
As we depart from this sacred gathering,
May your hearts be filled with the promise of renewal and hope.
In this Lenten season, may you walk with courage in the path of compassion,
Embracing the call to serve with love and humility.
Let the light of Christ guide your steps
As you carry the message of grace into the world.
May you find strength in the journey,
And may peace accompany you in every moment.
Go forth, knowing you are held in God’s unwavering love,
Now spoil the ones around you. Amen.

Response: Benediction (As you go)

May the Lord grant you peace. May His love shine down, love shine down, and meet your every need, and keep your feet from stumbling. And fix your eyes on the mark, on the prize. As you go. May you rest in Christ
As you go, go with God, go in peace.

Music postlude

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the Fourth Sunday of Lent
10:00 am March 30, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan     Welcoming Elder: Rom Rhoad
Children’s time presenter: Brad     Reader: Marilyn Nebat

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: We exist because God made us.
P: We are here because Jesus calls us.
L: We are together because the Spirit binds us to each other.
P: Without God, where would we be? Who would we be?
L: Let us worship God who makes us a community of love.

Opening praise: The way

Prayers of approach and confession

God of Mystery and Mercy, we gather to worship in humility and hope because we trust you have the power to change the world for the better with your love.

We gather to worship you, trusting that no person or situation is beyond your concern, or your embrace.

Inspire us with a vision of love that will change the world and our lives through the love and mercy we meet in Jesus Christ, your Son and our Saviour.

God of love and mercy, when we pause for a moment in your presence, the daily details of our lives press in on us.

We recall things left undone, opportunities ignored.

We remember careless words spoken, disappointments that trouble our souls.

In silence we offer to you our misspent moments and missed opportunities:

……

Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s grace

Remember the promise that the apostle Paul declares:

What can separate us from the love of Christ? Hardship? Distress? Peril or sword?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the God who loves us.

Neither death nor life, things present nor things to come can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Thanks be to God for such a promise!

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

Musical Offering (Brad): Thank you by Ray Boltz

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Open our eyes, Lord (445)

Children’s time

Once upon a time in a small town, there was a vibrant church known for its loving community and dedicated youth programs. At the heart of this program was Jake, a youth leader who brought fun, inspiration, and a deep love for God to all the kids.

Emma, a lively girl who had been in the youth group for several years, admired Jake greatly. He organized amazing events, led exciting discussions, and always made each kid feel special. But one day, the minister announced that Jake would be leaving to pursue a new adventure. This news left the children feeling a mix of sadness and gratitude.

Emma decided that they needed to express their appreciation for Jake. She gathered her friends after church and proposed an idea. “What if we each act like seeds?” she suggested, “We can plant seeds in the garden as a thank-you gift. Each seed can represent how Jake has helped us grow in faith!”

Her friends were excited about the idea and quickly agreed to contribute. They each brought different seeds: flowers, vegetables, and herbs—each one symbolizing something they had learned from Jake.

On the day of the planting, the youth group gathered in the church garden. Emma stood in front of everyone, holding a small basket filled with seeds. She said, “Today, we’re planting these seeds to show Jake how much he has helped us grow. Just like a gardener nurtures plants, Jake has nurtured our faith and friendship.”

As they planted the seeds together, each child took a turn sharing a memory of how Jake had impacted their lives. One child remembered a fun retreat where they learned about teamwork; another recalled how Jake had helped them navigate troubles with kindness and wisdom.

Then it was Jake’s turn to speak, he felt overwhelmed with emotion. He looked at each of their faces and said, “You all are the reason I love being here. Watching you grow in your faith has been the best adventure of all. These seeds are a beautiful reminder of what we’ve shared.”

In the weeks that followed, everyone took turns watering the seeds and watching them grow. As the flowers bloomed and vegetables sprouted, the children often talked about Jake’s teachings and the memories they had created together.

Finally, the day came for Jake to leave, but before he left, the youth group held a small celebration. They presented him with a beautiful pot filled with the flowers that had bloomed from the seeds they had planted.

Emma stepped forward and said, “These flowers remind us of you, Jake. You’ve helped us grow, and we will always remember the lessons you taught us. Thank you for everything!”

As Jake left, he took the pot of flowers with him, a symbol of their shared experiences and the growth they had all nurtured together. For years to come, the kids continued to tend to the garden, a living reminder of their time with Jake and the bonds they had formed.

Our own youth leader, Nahyeni is moving on to new things. Can we all join together now and sing her this little line.
Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you, for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.

Let’s pray: A Repeat After Me Prayer

Leader: Dear God,
Children: Dear God,

Leader: Thank you for our teachers,
Children: Thank you for our teacher,

Leader: at school and here at church
Children: at school and here at church

Leader: They help us learn and grow.
Children: They help us learn and grow.

Leader: Thank you, for all the patience they show,
Children: Thank you, for all the patience they show,

Leader: And the love they always share.
Children: And the love they always share.

Leader: Bless them with joy and peace,
Children: Bless them with joy and peace,

Leader: And thank you for all they do!
Children: And thank you for all they do!

And now we pray the prayer Christ taught us to pray saying,

The Lord’s Prayer (535)

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

Scripture readings: II Corinthians 5:16-21

Response: Jesus, remember me

Message: Ambassadors for Christ

John was born on July 24, 1725, in London. His mother was a devout Christian who raised him with a strong foundation in the faith, but sadly, she passed away when John was just six years old. His father, a merchant sailor, was often away, leaving young John without the guidance and support that nurturing parental figures could provide. Following his mother’s death, John was sent to live with relatives, but he grew increasingly rebellious and was eventually sent to work with his father. At a young age, he went to sea and was exposed to a rough maritime lifestyle. By the time he was a teenager, he had developed a hatred for authority and religion, rejecting the values his mother had instilled in him.

The ships’ environment and the crew’s culture contributed to John’s lifestyle of debauchery. His work on slave ships was filled with violent and immoral behavior, and he embraced the lawlessness that came with it even enjoying his own cruelty at times. While John had once been exposed to Christian teachings through his mother, his experiences at sea and the lifestyle he led distanced him profoundly from any faith he might have had as a child. He became increasingly indifferent to religion and spiritual matters, viewing life primarily through a hedonistic lens focused on personal pleasure and profit.

Despite this life of rebellion and depravity, a near-fatal experience during a violent storm at sea in 1748 marked the beginning of John’s spiritual awakening. Confronted with the possibility of death, he cried out to God for mercy, signaling the first hint of repentance and a desire for change. This moment of desperation sparked a gradual shift in his life, leading him to reevaluate his beliefs and ultimately to reembrace Christianity.

After his near-death experience, John began to read the Bible and learn about Christianity. His journey towards faith was gradual, but he ultimately experienced a profound spiritual awakening. He eventually left the slave trade and became a prominent abolitionist, dedicating his life to advocating for the end of slavery. This transformation also led him to pursue a career in ministry. John Newton’s journey from a life filled with vice to one of faith and service is a powerful testament to the transformative power of grace. His willingness to acknowledge his past and his commitment to change became foundational elements of his later ministry and writings, including the Hymn “Amazing Grace,” where he celebrated God’s redeeming love. A love that can turn a person from a wretched trader of slaves into the minister of the local congregation.

Paul writes, “16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! “

Newton became an Anglican cleric and served as a pastor. His faith deeply impacted his life and teachings, and he became known for his powerful sermons. He penned the famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” in which he reflected on his journey from darkness to light, emphasizing the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of God’s grace. While no person here is likely to have ever been a slave trader, Newton wrote this hymn knowing that every person possesses moments in their history they know to be vile. Like the scripture teaches, John knew that every person had moments where they acted terribly and out of character for how they wished to be and how God had asked them to be. He was a realist, and he looked back at his wrongs and saw the need for repentance. Yet he did not just see forgiveness; he also saw redemption. And this changed his life immeasurably.

The hymn begins with these words:

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound 
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

John Newton’s story is a remarkable testament to how a person can experience profound change through faith in Christ. His life went from one of moral degradation to one of profound service and dedication to ending the slave trade and promoting God’s love. John passed away in 1807, but that is no where near the end of his story. John leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire countless individuals worldwide. And that’s where Paul’s next verse takes hold. He writes, “18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”

Not only can God turn lives around, but God can use that change to inspire others. Once John Newton felt the Love of God personally, he couldn’t help but seek it out forever. It spilled over and covered everything he did from that point on.

When we accept Christ, we are called to leave behind our old ways—our habits, our desires for worldly success, and our self-centered attitudes. And with this, God stimulates others into like action.

Thomas à Kempis was a Dutch monk and theologian. He was born in 1380 and is best known for his book The Imitation of Christ. The book consists of meditations and reflections focused on the inner spiritual life, the imitation of Christ, and the pursuit of holiness. It emphasizes humility, prayer, and detachment from worldly desires, and the intentional seeking of personal encounters with God through relationship rather than rituals. His impact is still being felt today, even in the language we use in modern-day churches, and Thomas à Kempis is often regarded as one of the greatest spiritual authors of the Middle Ages.

Thomas à Kempis encourages us that true joy comes not from fulfilling our desires but from seeking the heart of God. As we let go of the old, we open ourselves to the new creation that God has in store for us.

Just as Thomas à Kempis teaches us to imitate Christ in humility, love, and service, Paul’s message invites us to embody the change that has taken place within us. Imitation involves deliberately aligning our lives with the example set by Jesus—serving others, forgiving unconditionally, and living in the light of God’s truth. This is the essence of the new creation: a life transformed by love.

In our journey of imitation, we uncover a more profound joy—a fulfillment that transcends worldly pleasures. Kemis emphasizes that we cannot find peace and happiness in material success; instead, we find it when we pour ourselves out for others and seek to model our lives after Christ. As new creations, our purpose is rooted not in what we gain but in how we reflect Christ’s love to the world.

Paul writes, “20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Joe was an addict who was miraculously converted at a Bowery mission. Before his conversion, he had gained the reputation of being a terrible-smelling, foul and angry man for whom there was no hope, only a miserable existence in the ghetto. But following his conversion to a new life in Christ, everything changed. Joe became the most caring person that anyone associated with the mission had ever known. Joe spent his days and nights hanging out at the mission, doing whatever needed to be done. There was never anything that he was asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether cleaning up the vomit left by some violently sick person or scrubbing toilets after careless men left the men’s room filthy, Joe did what was asked with a smile on his face and seeming grateful for the chance to help. He could be counted on to feed feeble men who wandered off the street and into the mission, and to undress, wash and clean,  and tuck into bed men who were too out of it to take care of themselves.

One dinner, when the director of the mission was delivering his evening evangelistic message to the usual crowd of still and sullen men with drooped heads, there was one man who looked up, came down the aisle to the altar and knelt to pray, crying out to God to help him change. The repentant man kept shouting, “Oh God! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe!” The director of the mission leaned over and said to the man, “Son, I think it would be better if you prayed, ‘Make me like Jesus.'” The man looked up at the director with a quizzical expression on his face and asked, “Is he like Joe?”

The greatest sermon we can ever preach, is not spoken. It is Lived! You are the best sermon anyone will ever hear. So let us be very careful what we preach.

If you are in Christ, you are a new creation. If you know reconciliation with God, you can’t help but work towards the reconciliation of all things. For you are an ambassador of Christ.

Paul writes, “16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20 So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of .” Amen.

Song: We lay our broken world (202)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

Prayer of gratitude: We place these gifts into your hands, O God. Bless them with your transforming grace so that they may become seeds springing up with new life in the world you love. Fill our hearts with that same grace so we can bring hope to weary and worried lives in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Gracious God, you have called us together as your people,to be the church of Jesus Christ.

Make us one in faith and discipleship, breaking bread together and telling the good news, so that the world may believe you are love, turn to your ways, and live in the light of your truth.

Faithful God, embrace us with your hope.

Creator God, you made all things and called them good.

We pray for the earth in its vulnerability, depleted by our lifestyle choices and our economic expectations.

Inspire reverence for the earth in all people.

Guide us all to make wiser choices for the sake of your creation.

Help us use resources wisely, with future generations in mind, guarding the fragile balances you have set between many precious species.

Faithful God, embrace us with your hope.

Jesus Christ, Prince of peace, you taught us of God’s reconciling grace speak to the hearts of all your people

in this time when so many neighbours and nations sit in judgment on each other, provoking conflict and resentment.

Teach us how to seek peace on earth together.

Call those in positions of power and influence to work for the common good.

Turn us away from anger, fear, violence or vanity, which can turn neighbour against neighbour and nation against nation.

May all who claim your name be known as makers of peace.

Faithful God, embrace us with your hope.

O Christ, healer of hearts and hopes, you desire health and wholeness for each one of us.

We pray that those who have lost their livelihoods may find true abundance.

Give rest and renewal to those who are broken in body, mind or spirit, and bring comfort and hope to all who face loss and loneliness.

In silence we lift before you the names of those on our hearts today:

…

Faithful God, embrace us with your hope.

Spirit of power and promise, embrace us with hope this day so that we may live faithfully, encouraging each other by the commitment we see in Jesus Christ

Song: Love divine all loves (371)

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

Response: Benediction (As you go)

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.

Worship on the Third Sunday in Lent
10:00 am March 23, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs     Music Director: Binu Kapadia
Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie     Welcoming Elder: Sam Malayang
Children’s time: Heather Tansem     Reader: Noah Hehr

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: We gather –
P: We gather together around a mystery.
L: We listen –
P: We listen for a voice we may not recognize.
L: We open –
P: We open our very souls to the Creator of All.
L: Then let us worship God.

Opening praise: Lord I need you

Prayers of approach and confession
God, our Creator and Sustainer,
In you, we live and breathe and find our purpose.
In your depths, we discover meaning; in your heights, we experience joy and light.
You are the source of peace and hope for everyone who turns to you.
You’ve supported and guided us, giving us strength and courage in tough times.
In you, we find rest and welcome along our journeys.
We praise you, O God, for your unchanging love.

Draw near to us again in this time of worship.
Show us your purpose for our lives and get us ready for what’s ahead,
So that our lives can reflect your mercy and grace as we follow Jesus.

Gracious God,
We admit that our thoughts don’t always align with yours;
Our actions often stray from your ways.
We let our tempers flare and neglect to show kindness.
We lose confidence and fail to treat others with respect.
Sometimes, our faith wavers, and we lose sight of you.

Forgive us for the many ways we fall short,
And inspire us to follow you more faithfully.

Sung Response: We come to ask your forgiveness

Assurance of God’s pardon
Hear the good news! Who can condemn us? Only Christ—
And Christ died for us, rose for us, reigns in power for us, and prays for us.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. By His mercy, we have the chance for a fresh start as we follow him.

Musical Offering (Binu, Brad, and Fionna): I shall not want

We listen for the voice of God

Song: Open our eyes Lord (445)

Children’s time

Children’s Story
Good morning…how is everyone today?
Pretty beautiful sunny day out there… I actually want to talk about the what’s going on outside.
Two days ago it was March 21^st, do you know why that date is special?
It’s the first day of what? it’s officially the end of winter, so what is the next season?
Spring!
Now what’s so great about spring?
(winter is over, snow disappears, warmer weather)
What will you do now that it’s spring?
(play outside more, go to the playground, in a little while you might help your parents plant your garden)
What are some signs that it’s spring?
(grass starts growing, flowers will soon come up, trees will start to get leaves)
How does everything regrow?  What does it need to

• water
• warmth or heat
• sunshine
• nutrients in the soil

Where do the flowers and trees and grass get all of the things they need to regrow?
God provides the water (through snow & rain), there’s more warmth
More hours of sunshine to help everything grow
In God’s whole creation, the earth… he has helped everything grow and
That’s one thing I want you to remember today…  God helps everything grow on earth and what a big job that is!
Everyone stand up.  Show me how tall you are?  How did were you last year at this time? 
The second thing I want you to think about today is what helps YOU grow?
(Water, food, place to live)
God supplies everything to help us grow.  Our vegetables and fruits all grow because God supplies the good soil and the sun and warmth for the seeds to grow.
But how does this food get on your table?  Who does that for you?
Your parents help you to grow… your grandparents, or any adults in your life keep you fed & watered and help you to grow.
Today I’d like you to be thankful for spring…for new things growing and for how you grow.
When your parent or grandparent feed you lunch today… make sure and say thanks for helping you grow.
Prayer: Let’s say a repeat after me prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for spring.
We’re excited to play outside
Thank you for helping everything grow
The flowers, the grass and the trees and the vegetables.
Thank you for helping us grow
Thanks for our parents and other adults
That give us what we need
to grow strong and healthy.

The Lord’s Prayer (535 )

Song: I hunger and I thirst (198)

Scripture reading: Isaiah 55:1-9

Response: Jesus, remember me

Message: Thirsty
Father Anthony DeMello was a Jesuit priest from India. He wrote a book about his time in Brazil titled Awareness. Spoiler Alert: I will ruin it for you on one particularly cheerful afternoon in Brazil. Among friends, Marta and Enrico set out for a glorious day in the sun, floating down the Amazon river near Macapa just north of its outlet into the Atlantic.

Somewhere among the splashing and laughter, short naps, under a hat, and the crowded nature of the local-built raft called a Tucanare, the paddle decided to embark on a solo adventure. Apparently, this had included a swim. What was once a carefree float on the river morphed into a haunting struggle for survival. While portions of the river needed little attention, other portions needed expert care. Without a paddle, they could no longer control the raft’s direction. Dangers build. As time passed, the river became faster and more expansive and finally carried them out into the ocean, unprepared for a new set of hazards.

With no food or water aboard, the current pulled them farther and farther into the Atlantic. In the sweltering heat of the sun, they suffered from dehydration, surrounded by water that they dared not drink. The one thing they knew for sure was that drinking the ocean’s salt water would only make them thirstier. In one of the terrible occurrences of life’s irony, Marta and Enrico, though surrounded by water, were dying of thirst.

But here’s the rub: they didn’t know that the force of the Amazon River estuary’s water colliding with the ocean water comes at such mass and with such a powerful force that the freshwater pushes back the saltwater. Typically, there is what’s called brackish water, and that’s a mix of the two, but here, it takes miles and miles before it begins to mix, let alone become salt water. The rush of Amazon River water that carried them out into the ocean still surrounded them. The first 160 kilometres of their uncontrolled craft rested on perfectly drinkable water. But they never drank it.

All too often, we are like Marta and Enrico. We know what we know, and we refuse to be disabused of our knowledge by the risk of being open to new alternatives. “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!” Ah, yes, but we can also be brainwashed by the blinders that this platitude imposes. More importantly, David Foster Wallace encapsulated this best when he once noted, “The most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about.” Sometimes just as with the lifesaving water that surrounded Marta and Enrico, the spiritual truths we seek are right in front of us all along but masked by our fears and misconceptions.

God speaks, “Attention, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price”.

The invitation to “come to the waters” and “buy wine and milk without money” is odd. Buying things “without money” seems wrong. But that’s the point. It’s something of value. It’s not junk. It matters. It has worth. But no, it’s not your money God wants in exchange. There might be a proper response… but that’s very different. There is no cost.

And if this sounds familiar, in John 6:35, Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” In John 7:37-38, we find that “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said loudly, ‘Let anyone thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’” We don’t want to ignore good clean drinking water while we’re dying. We want to come to God and receive what is good and is without price. Moreover, he says, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and you labour for that which does not satisfy?” In other words, did that bracelet or a new toy or whatever satisfy a deep or spiritual hunger? I doubt it. I think maybe Matthew 6:33 has it right. It says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The idea here is that if you satisfy the spiritual hunger, everything else falls into place. As famous Canadian comedian Jim Carrey once remarked, “I wish everyone could get rich and famous and have everything they ever dreamed of, so they would know that it’s not the answer.” There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying your life, mind you. Henry David Thoreau wisely said, “Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.” I agree. I’d love a ride in your million-dollar car anytime if you have one!

Our passage next says, “Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good and delight yourself in rich food. Incline your ear and come to me, listen so that you may [truly] live.”

The call to “delight” in God’s provisions is significant. It suggests that our relationship with God is about sustenance, joy, and fulfillment, challenging the idea that faith is merely about obligation.

In Augustine of Hippo’s words, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

The scripture continues with, “See, I will make with you an everlasting covenant, according to my love for David whom I have made to be a witness to the peoples and a leader and commander for the peoples.” In other words, Look, God was faithful to your ancestor David, or you wouldn’t be here. But for me, what’s most intriguing here is that God is saying King David, King of the Jews, was actually meant to be a sign of a goodly King to all the world. He was meant to be so good that all the peoples, or “nations,” would be drawn to him and thus to his God. He was meant to be a beacon of light.

What does a witness do again, and who is he a witness to? Thus, who are the thirsty also supposed to be a witness to? Witnesses report what they see. In this case, to the people. People in the plural are not just his own people from his own land.

The use of “peoples” in the plural highlights the comprehensive scope of God’s plan. It is a prophetic foreshadowing of how blessings and salvation would extend to Gentiles and other nations through the coming Messiah, who, as understood in Christian theology, is Jesus Christ. This reflects the universal invitation to come to God, as stated in Isaiah 55, where all who are thirsty are invited to partake.

In Isaiah 55:1-5 God invites all people—regardless of backgrounds or status—to experience God’s grace and renewal, to listen to His word and to know that heavenly wisdom has value though it has no cost.

The text suggests that Israel—and, by extension, all believers—will serve as a witness to the nations. It highlights the idea of God’s people being examples and leaders for others because of their relationship with Him. In this way, God the Father in Isaiah and Jesus the Son sound precisely the same. Remember, Jesus gives us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Moreover, Acts 1:8 reminds us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Like a lighthouse standing firm at the edge of a rocky shore, its light cutting through the darkest storms. Ships in troubled waters navigate safely by its beam. Just as the lighthouse guides lost ships, so does the believer’s life, rooted in faith, shine light into the world, guiding others toward hope and safety in God, thus fulfilling our mission to be witnesses among all nations. But to be a witness, we have to go to the water to see first.

Implicit in these verses is the acknowledgment of God’s glory and power. When we respond to His invitation, we participate in His greater purpose and bear witness to His majesty and grace. Ephesians 3:20-21 reminds us: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

Our passage culminates with a revelation that could surprise many. In verse 5: “Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation that does not know you will run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.” I particularly appreciate this part, as it speaks more about us than for us. Looking around this room, you see proof that this prophecy has come true. Those who serve the God of Abraham are not solely those born in the ancient Near East. We, who come to the water, represent nations that Isaiah and his people could never have imagined.

Just as Marta and Enrico missed the freshwater surrounding them, we, too, can miss out on the abundant life available to us and right before our eyes, as the scriptures teach.

May we become vessels of His love and grace, sharing that living water with others who thirst for hope and fulfillment? And as we do, may we shine as beacons of light in a world that desperately needs it—a world longing for love, justice, and peace that flows as freely as the waters of the mighty Amazon.

Song: As water to the thirsty (688)

We respond to serve God

Our time of giving

God has given us life and breath, creating a world full of beauty.
In Christ, we experience God’s generosity.
Our gifts are tokens of gratitude for everything we’ve received.
May our offerings speak of our thankful hearts today.
Loving God, accept these gifts we bring.
Bless them and use them to spread peace in places of unrest,
Love in places of resentment, joy in places of fear, and hope in places of loss,
All for the sake of Jesus Christ, our friend and Savior. Amen.

Prayer of gratitude, and for others and ourselves
When the world feels confusing and overwhelming,
You bring light and hope.
We give you thanks for lessons learned, for changes of heart,
For discoveries and the paths we courageously follow.

We pray for those who are confused or afraid,
For those struggling with anger or despair.

O God, give us hope in our time.
Turn our hearts to you.
There is so much conflict and hostility around us and within us.
Relationships can be tense, and communities are often divided.

We pray for understanding to foster harmony
At home, in the workplace, our community, and throughout our country.
We ask for diplomacy to resolve conflict among nations,
Especially remembering (add specific conflict zones).

O God, give us peace in these times.
Turn our hearts to you.

We thank you for the moments of joy and celebration in our lives,
For the small pleasures we’ve received, even during isolation.
We remember those who feel left out or bitter,
Those who are anxious or in distress.
We lift those facing loss and hardship in these uncertain times,
And all who are experiencing sorrow and suffering,

Naming those who are on our hearts today.
O God, give us joy in our time.
Turn our hearts to you.
We thank you for your constant presence
Amid all that brings uncertainty and worry these days.

Bless our congregation;
Inspire us to explore new ministry and mission opportunities.
Reignite our love for one another
And our desire to worship and serve together in Jesus’ name.
Support leaders who are feeling exhausted by the challenges they face,
And renew our stewardship with gratitude for your love.

O God, give us strength in our service.
Turn our hearts to you. Amen.

Song: All the way my Saviour leads me ( 699)

Sending out with God’s blessing

May you carry with you the invitation from our God, the one who calls to all who are thirsty, urging you to come and drink deeply from the wells of His love and grace.

May your hearts be open to His abundant provisions, and may you find nourishment and fulfillment in the fresh waters of His Spirit.

May you walk through the days ahead and be a vessel of His light, leading others to the living waters that bring hope and healing.

May you go forth confidently, knowing that you are part of God’s everlasting covenant, a witness to His faithfulness, and a light to the nations.

May the Holy One of Israel guide your steps and fill your thirsting soul. Amen.

Response: Benediction (As you go)

Music postlude

————————————————————————-

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

The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.