Writing about a church service at St. Andrew’s can be a difficult exercise. It’s hard to know what to emphasize. Some might focus on the storied history of the church, or the famous persons that worshiped there in the past. Others might notice the striking architecture or the beautiful music, or perhaps the diversity of the congregation, which provides a good cross-section of Ottawa as a whole.
All these elements demand the observer’s attention, but when I attend St. Andrew’s the Bible reading and sermon capture my attention the most. I think this is because the word of God provides me with both comfort and challenge for my everyday life: comfort because I am forced to recognize God’s love, and challenge because I am often called to change the ways in which I have misunderstood God and His creation.
Pastor Andrew’s sermon of 29/08/2010 offered both challenge and comfort, with three simple (but important) truths. First, God is near. Second, because God is near we can rejoice, even in suffering. Third, in spite of suffering, there is much good in the world and we should learn to appreciate it.
The idea that God is near some times seems a bit foreign to me. As a Christian I’ve been conditioned to treat God with great reverence and to think of Him as concerned with heavenly things. Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds me, however, that God is deeply concerned about my life and about His church. It is a thought that is humbling and empowering at the same time. In addition, the idea that we can rejoice in suffering seems strange. Like most people I tend to rejoice (if that’s the right word) only in times of peace and plenty. Paul tells his readers to rejoice even in suffering, because God remains close to all believers in all circumstances. Finally, like many Christians I am intimidated by the rapid secularization of our country (of the entire Western world it seems), and I have great apprehension for the future, but Paul does not allow Christians to give up on the world. Instead, he insists that we find (and celebrate) everything that is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
While these concepts are challenging to me and disrupt many of my assumptions about the world, they also offer a great deal of comfort. God is near; He isn’t distant or detached. I can rejoice in suffering, because God has not abandoned me; He will heal my suffering in time. Finally, the world is not left to its own devices, rather God urges us (through His servant Paul) to find good in the world: to notice and enjoy it as God’s own creation.
I hope that you will find many messages that will both challenge and comfort you as you continue your journey through life with God at your side.
Harold
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday, August 22
A dark dreary morning>>> How do you feel on this kind of day? Are you discouraged and down heartened because it is not sunny and warm for that special Sunday event that you have waited for all week or did you rise and go to worship to give thanks to God for all he has given to us and to show love and encouragement to your neighbour? Well if you entered worship feeling the first, I am sure you would have left the sanctuary feeing the latter! To me the whole message this morning was,what a beautiful link between the world and it's creator.
Rev. Andrew had such a wonderful story for our children, "God has entrusted to our care one of his greatest treasures, The World". How wonderful to have a tangible example for the children, holding onto the ball/world as an example that we are all to be stewarts in common of God's precious gift to us.
As I ponder the scriptures, hymns and the sermon, I clearly see two ways of digesting the content of the main points that spoke most clearly to me.
"Press on"
"Fight the good fight"
"Forget what lies behind and strain forward"
Clearly , these can be looked at as out and out commands/orders from our Heavenly Father. What a challenge it would be if that was the only way these points could be taken. I know many times this is how I have looked at them. These to me are the times when one is trying to "go it on your own" not looking to God for guidance or seeking to do his will. But Alas!! as Andrew has illistrated to us this morning, these are far from commands but rather kind, warm and loving invitations from God to travel on the pathway with him toward our eternal reward, that ultimate reward of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Press on, the way is not always easy but neither was the way that Jesus trod, High King of heaven, when the battle is done, grant to us heaven's joy.
The energy that one needs to draw on to be able to "Press on",was exemplified in the postlude (Toccata) which Tom shared with us. What a challenging piece of music for the composer, the performer and yes, the listener, Thank you Tom for living the message and sharing your enthusiasim with us.
How do we as a church press on in unity?
How do we get off of the tread mill of life and take time to be with God?
These are my thoughts, please share yours! God Bless
Grant
Rev. Andrew had such a wonderful story for our children, "God has entrusted to our care one of his greatest treasures, The World". How wonderful to have a tangible example for the children, holding onto the ball/world as an example that we are all to be stewarts in common of God's precious gift to us.
As I ponder the scriptures, hymns and the sermon, I clearly see two ways of digesting the content of the main points that spoke most clearly to me.
"Press on"
"Fight the good fight"
"Forget what lies behind and strain forward"
Clearly , these can be looked at as out and out commands/orders from our Heavenly Father. What a challenge it would be if that was the only way these points could be taken. I know many times this is how I have looked at them. These to me are the times when one is trying to "go it on your own" not looking to God for guidance or seeking to do his will. But Alas!! as Andrew has illistrated to us this morning, these are far from commands but rather kind, warm and loving invitations from God to travel on the pathway with him toward our eternal reward, that ultimate reward of spending eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Press on, the way is not always easy but neither was the way that Jesus trod, High King of heaven, when the battle is done, grant to us heaven's joy.
The energy that one needs to draw on to be able to "Press on",was exemplified in the postlude (Toccata) which Tom shared with us. What a challenging piece of music for the composer, the performer and yes, the listener, Thank you Tom for living the message and sharing your enthusiasim with us.
How do we as a church press on in unity?
How do we get off of the tread mill of life and take time to be with God?
These are my thoughts, please share yours! God Bless
Grant
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday, August 15
Did you notice Hymn 635 this morning?
It's one thing to be a servant. But it's another thing to allow others to serve you, too.
What about you? Were you served by someone this morning? What did Rev. Williams' Forgiveness sermon teach you?
Brother, sister, let me serve you;
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace to
let you be my servant too.
It's one thing to be a servant. But it's another thing to allow others to serve you, too.
What about you? Were you served by someone this morning? What did Rev. Williams' Forgiveness sermon teach you?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday, August 8
Because it's my turn to start the conversation on the blog, during this morning's worship I was mulling over what to post here. I had it in my mind to post about the children's story (which I loved!) because recently it seems lots of people I know are facing trials, and it was such a good reminder to listen to God, and to trust God even when it seems like we should run.
But then Rev. Clarke threw a curve ball. The sermon was about the fig tree that wasn't bearing any fruit. The owner of the garden wanted it cut down, but the gardener wanted a little time to nurture it and give it a chance to thrive. The minister described God as the Gardener, and that the Gardener is patient and wants us to thrive. Rev. Clarke talked about us coming into her (the Gardener's) sanctuary.
That one little pronoun really brought my thinking around, really pointed out to me the nurturing, caregiving characteristics of God. I'm not sure if Rev. Clarke chose that pronoun specifically, or if she was just making a point about God being the Gardener. (It is also possible that I misheard the sentence and Rev. Clarke wasn't heading in that direction at all!) I like to think of myself as understanding that God is gender neutral, that referring to God traditionally as he doesn't make him male. But to hear God referred to as her was kind of nice. A reminder that God's character has feminine aspects to it, too. That God is bigger than the box I try to fit him into.
What about you? How did you see God this morning?
Maureen.
But then Rev. Clarke threw a curve ball. The sermon was about the fig tree that wasn't bearing any fruit. The owner of the garden wanted it cut down, but the gardener wanted a little time to nurture it and give it a chance to thrive. The minister described God as the Gardener, and that the Gardener is patient and wants us to thrive. Rev. Clarke talked about us coming into her (the Gardener's) sanctuary.
That one little pronoun really brought my thinking around, really pointed out to me the nurturing, caregiving characteristics of God. I'm not sure if Rev. Clarke chose that pronoun specifically, or if she was just making a point about God being the Gardener. (It is also possible that I misheard the sentence and Rev. Clarke wasn't heading in that direction at all!) I like to think of myself as understanding that God is gender neutral, that referring to God traditionally as he doesn't make him male. But to hear God referred to as her was kind of nice. A reminder that God's character has feminine aspects to it, too. That God is bigger than the box I try to fit him into.
What about you? How did you see God this morning?
Maureen.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, August 1
On this perfect summer morning, we paused before entering the church
to admire St. Andrew's glorious gardens, and also to seek out a particular
small stone tucked among the flowers. Painted yellow, the stone arrived
this spring, and it carries a cross, a name, a date, and the name of a far-away
country. This tiny leaf-covered memorial eases a sorrowful heart, I hope.
In the Sanctuary this morning were two bouquets, each a mix of garden
and field flowers, including loosestrife. These blooms had been lovingly
gathered, arranged and brought to church, and we enjoyed this gift.
As the church bell rang out in invitation, and the organ prelude began, I
was filled with gratitude that we are able to attend services in this church
where we feel so at home. This morning, the music was wonderful. It always
is. The "Rhosymedre" offertory was exquisite, the Vivaldi solo so beautifully
sung, and the postlude was powerful and uplifting. Of the hymns, the music
for one dated from the 16th century, while that of another was more recent, 1948.
How fortunate we are to be able to range through the centuries under the
guidance of out Director of Music. How wonderful that we have that treasure
house of psalms, poetry and music, The Book of Praise.
Our visiting minister today was The Rev. Dr. James Christie, Dean of Theology
at the University of Winnipeg, and Secretary General of the June G8 Religious
Leaders 2010 Summit, which focused upon the Millennium Development Goals.
No stranger to Ottawa or to St. Andrew's, Dr. Christie's opening prayer was
all-encompassing, quite wonderful, and I wish I had a copy of it.
The sermon took us on the road, three roads actually, all leading away from
Jerusalem: to Jericho, Emmaus and Damascus. The linked stories, of course,
were of the Good Samaritan, Jesus' appearance on the road to Emmaus after
the Resurrection, and Paul's sudden blindness, as described in Acts 9, 1-9. In
each case, the participants in these stories had their worlds widely expanded.
I couldn't help thinking that my Kennedy Grandparents (Knox, Cannington) would
have described this as "a dandy sermon", most deserving of discussion over Sunday
lunch and maybe over supper too. And so it was, a sermon to ponder, laced with
insights and dashes of humour.
We are so grateful to all those who contributed in so many ways to this rich hour of
worship with which we begin our week.
Sheila
to admire St. Andrew's glorious gardens, and also to seek out a particular
small stone tucked among the flowers. Painted yellow, the stone arrived
this spring, and it carries a cross, a name, a date, and the name of a far-away
country. This tiny leaf-covered memorial eases a sorrowful heart, I hope.
In the Sanctuary this morning were two bouquets, each a mix of garden
and field flowers, including loosestrife. These blooms had been lovingly
gathered, arranged and brought to church, and we enjoyed this gift.
As the church bell rang out in invitation, and the organ prelude began, I
was filled with gratitude that we are able to attend services in this church
where we feel so at home. This morning, the music was wonderful. It always
is. The "Rhosymedre" offertory was exquisite, the Vivaldi solo so beautifully
sung, and the postlude was powerful and uplifting. Of the hymns, the music
for one dated from the 16th century, while that of another was more recent, 1948.
How fortunate we are to be able to range through the centuries under the
guidance of out Director of Music. How wonderful that we have that treasure
house of psalms, poetry and music, The Book of Praise.
Our visiting minister today was The Rev. Dr. James Christie, Dean of Theology
at the University of Winnipeg, and Secretary General of the June G8 Religious
Leaders 2010 Summit, which focused upon the Millennium Development Goals.
No stranger to Ottawa or to St. Andrew's, Dr. Christie's opening prayer was
all-encompassing, quite wonderful, and I wish I had a copy of it.
The sermon took us on the road, three roads actually, all leading away from
Jerusalem: to Jericho, Emmaus and Damascus. The linked stories, of course,
were of the Good Samaritan, Jesus' appearance on the road to Emmaus after
the Resurrection, and Paul's sudden blindness, as described in Acts 9, 1-9. In
each case, the participants in these stories had their worlds widely expanded.
I couldn't help thinking that my Kennedy Grandparents (Knox, Cannington) would
have described this as "a dandy sermon", most deserving of discussion over Sunday
lunch and maybe over supper too. And so it was, a sermon to ponder, laced with
insights and dashes of humour.
We are so grateful to all those who contributed in so many ways to this rich hour of
worship with which we begin our week.
Sheila
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