Worship on the Lord’s Day
10:00 am 25 August 2024
Online & Onsite (Mixed Presence) Gathering as a Worshipping Community
Led by the Rev Brad Childs
Music director: Binu Kapadia Vocalists: Cheryl and Peter Sheridan
Elder: Darlene Eerkes
We gather to worship God
Music prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
P: and also with you.
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Silent preparation for worship
Call to Worship
L: God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves;
P: the one who is weak and the one who is strong,
L: the one who is happy and the one who is sad,
P: the one who is enjoying mental wellness today
L: and the one who is struggling with mental illness today,
P: the one whom we understand and the one we don’t,
L: the one who is embraced and the one who is shunned,
P: the one who is like us and the one who is different.
L: Come, let us worship together!
P: We come, trusting God’s abundant love!
Opening praise: Holy is the Lord
Prayers of approach and confession
God of majesty and mystery, we come before you in wonder and gratitude.
Source of all that is, you are beyond our imagining; your creation astounds us with its beauty and power.
Word of hope and healing, you embrace us with tender care, drawing near in every situation.
Spirit of purpose and possibility, you show us which way to turn when we trust our choices to you.
Receive our praise and prayer this day, Source, Word, and Spirit of Life, ever Three and ever One.
God of mercy, we face many choices each day and we confess we often choose with no thought of you.
Forgive the choices we’ve made that hurt others, those that ignored our own wellbeing, and those that betrayed your love.
Guide us in all our choices, simple or complicated, so we express our faithfulness to you day by day.
Response: I will trust in the Lord
Assurance of God’s love
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you this day. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day.
We listen for the voice of God
Children’s time
Response: Open our eyes, Lord (445)
Story: “The Armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-20)
Introduction: Good morning, kids! Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a superhero? Superheroes wear cool costumes to protect themselves, right? Well, did you know that as Christians, God gives us something even better than superhero suits? He gives us the Armour of God to help protect us and stand strong!
Lesson: In the Bible, in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul tells us that we’re in a battle—not with people, but with things we can’t always see, like bad thoughts or fear. But don’t worry, because God gives us special armour to help us!
Let’s look at each piece of the Armour of God:
- The Belt of Truth: Just like a belt holds up your clothes, truth holds us strong. God’s truth helps us know what is right and wrong. When we tell the truth, we are wearing this belt!
- The Breastplate of Righteousness: A breastplate protects the heart, doesn’t it? When we do the right things—like being kind, honest, and loving—we wear righteousness like armour that protects our hearts.
- The Shoes of Peace: Shoes help us walk safely, right? God gives us peace that helps us move forward, even when things are scary. His peace helps us stay calm and share His love with others.
- The Shield of Faith: When superheroes have shields, they block things, right? Faith is like a shield that helps protect us from bad thoughts or doubts. When we trust God, it’s like holding up a big shield that blocks anything scary.
- The Helmet of Salvation: Helmets protect our heads. Salvation means that Jesus saved us and made us part of God’s family. When we know that we are God’s children, we can think clearly and protect our minds from anything that tries to make us doubt His love.
- The Sword of the Spirit: This sword isn’t a regular sword; it’s the Word of God! When we read the Bible, it helps us know what to do and what to say. God’s words are powerful, like a sharp sword that helps us win against bad things.
So, kids, whenever you feel scared or unsure, remember that God has given you His Armour! When we wear the Armour of God, we are protected and ready to stand strong, just like superheroes for Jesus!
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving us Your armour to protect us and help us stand strong. Help us to put on each piece every day so we can follow You with courage and love. We know You are always with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray the prayer Christ taught us to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer (535)
Transition music
Song: You are the Author (430)
Today’s Message
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 20:14-18; Psalm 34:17; I Cor 15:8, John 11: 33-35; and John 14:27
Response: Behold the Lamb of God
Message: Hero tears
It was September 16th, and I found myself standing in a unique Anglican church in the Lower Mainland. The large auditorium was filled with college students—so many that there were no seats. People sat on the floor instead of pews or chairs and everyone stood shoulder to shoulder, connected not just by proximity, but by something deeper: a shared need for hope. This church was closely tied to California’s Harvest Christian Fellowship, a 15,000-member megachurch known for its powerful ministry in suicide prevention.
Just six days earlier, on September 10th, tragedy struck. Jarrid Wilson, the 30year old director of Harvest’s suicide prevention program and the visionary behind the “Anthem of Hope” initiative, got up on a Monday morning like any other. He kissed his wife Lori and their two little boys, then headed off to officiate a funeral. But later that day, the unthinkable happened. Jarrid—the man who had dedicated his life to saving others—took his own life. The man who had been a beacon of hope for so many felt that his own light had gone out.
The room was somber. If someone like Jarrid, with so much passion for helping others, could fall into such deep despair, what does that say about the rest of us? How do we cope when even our heroes seem to break under the weight of their burdens? But truth be told, this has always been the case.
As Christians, we often look to the Bible for examples of great heroes—men and women of faith whose lives inspire us.
– There’s Noah, who built the ark in obedience to God despite how absurd it must have seemed.
– Abraham, the father of nations, whose trust in God’s promises set the foundation for the people of Israel.
– God chose Saul to lead His people for a special purpose.
– David, the young shepherd who rose to become king, established Jerusalem, a city that still stands to this day.
– Solomon, who built the majestic Temple, a physical representation of God’s dwelling among His people.
– Job, who, though he suffered more than most of us could ever imagine, remained blameless and refused to curse God.
– And the prophets, those brave souls who called the people of Israel back to truth even when they faced rejection and ridicule.
These figures inspire us with their faith, their resilience, and their closeness to God. But beneath their triumphs, there’s a hidden story—a story of struggle, paint, and sorrow. These heroes, like us, were not immune to brokenness. They were not invincible. They were human.
Yes, Noah followed God’s instructions and saved humanity and creation from the flood. But after the waters receded, Noah drowned his sorrows in wine and shame. Abraham, despite his generally unwavering faith, doubted that God could fulfill His promise and took matters into his own hands. His anxiety led to his downfall. Saul, chosen by God, became consumed by fits of jealousy and rage, losing his grip on his calling. Job, though blameless before God, cursed the very day he was born and longed for death to release him from his suffering.
Jarrid, it appears, was in good company.
And what of the prophets?
Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet, struggled with loneliness and the weight of his calling. He cried out in his anguish, “Cursed be the day I was born!” (Jeremiah 20:14). Elijah, the fearless prophet who stood against hundreds of false prophets, was so weary after his great victory that he fled into the wilderness and prayed for death, saying, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life” (1 Kings 19:4).
Even David, the man after God’s own heart, was no stranger to emotional turmoil. His psalms are filled with cries of desperation and grief: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?” (Psalm 42:11). “My heart is like wax melting within me” (Psalm 22). These words come from a place of deep sorrow, a place where even the mightiest of God’s servants sometimes find themselves.
Our heroes were not superhuman. They were people who wrestled with brokenness, fear, anxiety, and despair. They were not flawless—they were broken, just like us.
It’s important to recognize that there is a difference between the sadness that touches all of us at times and the deep darkness of depression that drowns. Sadness is a normal response to life’s difficulties. It comes and goes. But depression—that’s a heaviness that lingers, a darkness that clouds everything, even when life seems like it should be getting better.
And here’s the truth: You can love Jesus and still be broken. You can love Jesus and still be sad. You can love Jesus and still battle depression. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt us from suffering—it often makes us more aware of the depth of our pain. But that’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of our humanity.
If you’re in tears today, feeling unworthy, broken, or overwhelmed, know this: you’re not alone. You’re walking a path that even the greatest heroes of the Bible have walked. And more importantly, you are walking with Jesus, who knows your sorrow better than anyone.
The prophet Isaiah described the coming Messiah as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). And Jesus was just that. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He cried out in agony to His Father, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34). Our Savior, our King, was no stranger to despair. He felt the full weight of sorrow—He carried it with Him to the cross. And He did it for you.
Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is perfect—not Noah, not Abraham, not David, not Jarrid Wilson, not you, not me. We all fall short. But here’s the good news: in Christ, we are being perfected. Hebrews 10:14 tells us, “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
Christ, through His sacrifice, has already made us perfect in the eyes of God. But He doesn’t stop there—He continues to work in us, day by day, moment by moment, refining us, making us more like Him. Even in our weakness, He is making us stronger. Even in our brokenness, He is making us whole.
Jesus didn’t come for the perfect. He didn’t come for those who had it all together. He came for the broken, the weary, the ones who know they need Him. In Mark 2:17, Jesus says, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
He came for you. He came for me. He came for the moments when we feel like we can’t go on. He came to carry the burdens that are too heavy for us to bear. When you are in tears.
Brokenness takes a lot of forms, and maybe you or someone you love has depression or anxiety or maybe PTSD. You likely know someone with bipolar disorder or substance abuse. But let me just say that if this describes you or someone you know, you are not alone. Keep moving even incrementally forward; remember, some of the most faithful people in history have had issues and feelings much like yours. And then lastly, I want to remind you that there is no shame in your brokenness because Christ meets you right there—in the mess, in the pain, in the tears—and He lifts you up.
So, what does this mean for us today? It means that if you’re feeling like you’re falling apart, if you’re weighed down by your own mind and your own body, if life feels overwhelming and you can’t see a way forward—know this: you are not alone. Our heroes of faith walked this road before us, and Jesus walks it with you now.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. Your worth isn’t determined by how strong you appear to others. Your worth is found in Christ, who loves you exactly as you are and yet is still working in you, even now, to perfect you. He carries you when you can’t carry yourself. He wipes your tears when you feel like you can’t cry anymore. He sees you in your struggle, and He calls you beloved.
As we leave here today, hold on to this truth: God’s love for you isn’t dependent on your ability to be strong. He doesn’t ask you to carry your burdens alone. The heroes of the Bible were flawed and broken, just like us. Yet, they experienced God’s relentless grace and love. That same grace, that same love, is available to you right now.
Let Christ carry you. Let Him heal your wounds. Let Him walk with you through the valley because even there, you are never alone. He is with you, perfecting you, even in your weakest moments.
Go forth in peace, knowing that even in your brokenness, God’s love remains unshakable. Even in your pain, He is working. And even in your tears, He is perfecting you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Song: You, Lord, are both lamb and shepherd (356)
We respond to serve God: Our time of giving
Reflection on giving: Dayspring is empowered to carry out our mission of worship, service, and care by generously given volunteer time, talent, and treasure. Many thanks to all who give so generously!
Prayer of gratitude and for others and ourselves
God in whom we live and move and have our being:
As we gather in your presence today, we are aware of many challenges in our own lives, in the lives of those we care about, and in the world around us.
Thank you for your faithfulness to each of us and to your whole creation, given all the different situations we face.
Show us how our concern for the world and for each other can respond to the needs we name before you today.
We pray for those who have been in the headlines lately, for those situations in the world and in our county that concern us deeply, and for all whose lives cry out to you and to us for help: …
We pray for those who are suffering, thinking today of those who are ill and those who are bereaved; those struggling to make ends meet; and those whose homes have been upended for any reason. …
We pray for those looking forward to a new beginning the Fall: …
those starting at new schools or in new training programs;
those beginning new jobs or new activities;
those welcoming new members into the family through birth or marriage;
those beginning life in a new home or community: …
We pray for our congregation as we look to a new season of activities. Help us see where you call us to reach out with your love and generosity.
Renew our faith and our friendships in Christ. Equip us to meet every challenge we face with hearts full of faith & commitment for we dare to pray. Amen.
Song: Give me oil in my lamp 655)
Sending out with God’s blessing
Go in gratitude, relying on the presence of Christ as bread for your journey. And may the God who made us, the Christ who mends us, and the Spirit who gives us life bless you with peace and purpose each day. Amen.
Response: Amen! We praise your name, O God
Music postlude
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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.