I attended the early service this morning and I was going down the church steps as some folks were arriving for the 11am service. I wanted to stop them and say, "Get ready, it's a great service you're in for!" This is surprising actually, since I started the morning not feeling very worshipful - and admittedly not very focused. But in his sermon, Andrew spoke on Mark 4, where Jesus talks about the mustard seed growing into a bush for the birds of the air to nest in, and Andrew compared it to the description of the noble cedar from Ezekiel 17.
A couple thoughts: This morning was a reminder to me that it's not our job to make things grow, in fact all we can do is sow the seeds and let the Lord do the work. It's not up to us to create results, but results will certainly happen. A necessary reminder.
But a new thought for me came this morning while considering the humble mustard bush in contrast to the noble cedar. The birds of the air were nesting in the mustard bush, just like they were in the cedar. We plan for and expect great things, but sometimes it's the simple things that get the job done. I think that often I get caught up in the results, looking for a giant cedar, when really I need to focus on doing my job - living my life and sowing the seeds.
Andrew told us the "birds of the air" is used as an expression in the bible to mean all the nations of the earth. In Mark and also in Ezekiel, the birds of the air find sanctuary in the shade of the tree. What a lovely and inclusive invitation. I'm so thankful we have the opportunity to build our nests in the shade of His tree, and humbled by the seeds he's given us to sow.
-Maureen.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 23
On this commitment Sunday, I have been thinking about challenges, growth and about light.
It is a season of challenge. Fall is at its height, which means of course that winter is approaching. Under blustery skies, we know as all Canadians do that winter is coming. As happens so often, recent events have presented challenges to many of us. Andrew's announcements this morning included references to several deaths and other illnesses. Health crises, legal and political inequities surround us and the world simply does not unfold as we think it should. Problems defy easy answers.
With its dramatic shadows, fall is a season of fascinating light. This morning, I loved how the colours of the fall, at their height in the trees, were echoed in the colours on the "flames" waved by our children as they all danced back into church. I loved the sunlight flooding through windows and doorframes, the sunshine a timeless reminder of the warm presence of light in our lives.
Somewhat paradoxically, fall is also a season of growth. Today's bible readings referred to growth, about planting seeds in all the soil, about cultivating and nurturing seeds of knowledge. In the car on the way home, our backseat was occupied by an intense debate about whether the burning bush was actually burning or whether this was, as my seven year old said, " a trick of the light from God's voice being in the bush." Four little voices chimed in their views on the subject and those elder of us in the front seat were amused by this, our children's first theological debate. It is exciting and also a relief to see our children growing, in body and in faith, and also a wonderful thing to see the numbers of children in the congregation of St. Andrews growing too.
The growing dusk of a fall Sunday seems to me a very appropriate time for commitment. Because, when there are no challenges, commitment isn't a challenging choice. But commitment to light is seems to be the only path to growth. And commitment is valuable precisely because it is a challenging choice to move forward on a path guided by meanings where, as Andrew noted, as Steve Jobs noticed, though he was so creatively blessed before his untimely end, things so often don't seem to go right.
Rebecca
It is a season of challenge. Fall is at its height, which means of course that winter is approaching. Under blustery skies, we know as all Canadians do that winter is coming. As happens so often, recent events have presented challenges to many of us. Andrew's announcements this morning included references to several deaths and other illnesses. Health crises, legal and political inequities surround us and the world simply does not unfold as we think it should. Problems defy easy answers.
With its dramatic shadows, fall is a season of fascinating light. This morning, I loved how the colours of the fall, at their height in the trees, were echoed in the colours on the "flames" waved by our children as they all danced back into church. I loved the sunlight flooding through windows and doorframes, the sunshine a timeless reminder of the warm presence of light in our lives.
Somewhat paradoxically, fall is also a season of growth. Today's bible readings referred to growth, about planting seeds in all the soil, about cultivating and nurturing seeds of knowledge. In the car on the way home, our backseat was occupied by an intense debate about whether the burning bush was actually burning or whether this was, as my seven year old said, " a trick of the light from God's voice being in the bush." Four little voices chimed in their views on the subject and those elder of us in the front seat were amused by this, our children's first theological debate. It is exciting and also a relief to see our children growing, in body and in faith, and also a wonderful thing to see the numbers of children in the congregation of St. Andrews growing too.
The growing dusk of a fall Sunday seems to me a very appropriate time for commitment. Because, when there are no challenges, commitment isn't a challenging choice. But commitment to light is seems to be the only path to growth. And commitment is valuable precisely because it is a challenging choice to move forward on a path guided by meanings where, as Andrew noted, as Steve Jobs noticed, though he was so creatively blessed before his untimely end, things so often don't seem to go right.
Rebecca
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday October 16
Today is World Food Day, a worldwide day to remember that many do not have enough on their tables. Coming so soon after Thanksgiving, I found it particularly important for me to remember that not everyone has all the blessings I'm able to enjoy. As I listened to Andrew read the readings from Proverbs, (19:17, 22:9, 29:7) I realised it wasn't going to be a pleasant, relax-in-your-pew sort of morning. We were going to be called to action.
But listening to Andrew speak on Mark 3, it turns out that we don't have to be pushed or guilted into change. The truth is that we have the freedom to change. We don't have to be trapped by the old ways of doing things, the old institutions and the old traditions. We are free to follow the better way. Jesus has bound the "Strong Man" and he no longer controls us.
Right away, my mind was brought to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Now there are some people trying to change the old, unjust, unequal ways of doing things. These are exciting times when people are recognising that being the richest is not the best and only goal. And there's even more we can do - we've been freed, remember? What about some personal things that we've been called to change in our own lives? What about the gifts we've been given that we can share with those around us? We don't have to be afraid, we can choose to walk in the new way.
From the last hymn, Lord, you give the great commission:
Maureen.
But listening to Andrew speak on Mark 3, it turns out that we don't have to be pushed or guilted into change. The truth is that we have the freedom to change. We don't have to be trapped by the old ways of doing things, the old institutions and the old traditions. We are free to follow the better way. Jesus has bound the "Strong Man" and he no longer controls us.
Right away, my mind was brought to the Occupy Wall Street movement. Now there are some people trying to change the old, unjust, unequal ways of doing things. These are exciting times when people are recognising that being the richest is not the best and only goal. And there's even more we can do - we've been freed, remember? What about some personal things that we've been called to change in our own lives? What about the gifts we've been given that we can share with those around us? We don't have to be afraid, we can choose to walk in the new way.
From the last hymn, Lord, you give the great commission:
Lord, you show us love's true measure:
"Father, what they do, forgive."
Yet we hoard as private treasure
all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us to a just society;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.
Maureen.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Thanksgiving - Sunday, October 9
A joyful thanksgiving to us all! I am so glad that we celebrate the harvest,that we celebrate the great abundance of living foods the Lord gifts us from the earth. Not only is it an opportunity to thank God for all that we have been given but also a keen reminder that it is from the earth, from farms and those who work them, that we are kept fed and healthy. Thanks be to God, and thanks also to those who dedicate their living and working to harvesting food.
The hymn we sang immediately before the sermon made me pause, particularly the final verses:
The hymn we sang immediately before the sermon made me pause, particularly the final verses:
Give thanks, my soul, for richesI, like so many other people, have been following the current protest on Wall St. which has spurred protests in other cities as well. Talk has begun that Ottawa may soon see a similar protest in our downtown. While the sentiments and goals of those occupying Wall St. and elsewhere may be varied or even disorganized, the voice of dissatisfaction and discontent is clear. Many people are not happy with the way things are. As the we sang in the hymn, we are called as stewards to share the bounty of this world. Policy prescriptions aside, the crowds massing in cities across the continent suggests that we are failing to do so: something is very wrong.
of wood land, mine and hill
but know that gold and timber
are the Creator's still.
God lends to us, as stewards,
abundance we might share,
and thus provide earth's children
the blessing of God's care.
Give thanks, my soul, for labours,
that strength and days employ;
but know the Maker's purpose
brings toil as well as joy.
Show forth, O God, your purpose;
direct our will and hand,
to share your love and bounty,
with all in every land.
It leads me to wonder what we, as Christians can do to better fulfill our role as stewards. Are we playing things too safe, fearing that we will offend? Jesus was very clear with His disciples that the world would not always be kind or accepting to them. As Andrew noted this morning, Jesus was very honest and forthright about the cost that came with choosing The Way. In John 15 He said "I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you." Drawing the ire of the rest of the world has little appeal, but I find myself considering more and more if that is precisely what Jesus needs us to do in these days.
And then today we find ourselves at a time we have appointed for the specific purpose of celebrating and giving thanks for the bounty of another harvest. Andrew made the point this morning that our emotions can follow our actions: it need not always be the other way around. We live love and thus we feel love. We live thanksgiving and so we feel thanksgiving. In a time in which there is so much focus on what people lack, in a time of recession and war and discord, such a prescription seems more apt than ever. We need to live and embody thanksgiving. We need to reach out in the spirit of gratitude and generosity to remind not only those we encounter, but ourselves as well, that God is indeed gracious and we are truly, very blessed.
And then today we find ourselves at a time we have appointed for the specific purpose of celebrating and giving thanks for the bounty of another harvest. Andrew made the point this morning that our emotions can follow our actions: it need not always be the other way around. We live love and thus we feel love. We live thanksgiving and so we feel thanksgiving. In a time in which there is so much focus on what people lack, in a time of recession and war and discord, such a prescription seems more apt than ever. We need to live and embody thanksgiving. We need to reach out in the spirit of gratitude and generosity to remind not only those we encounter, but ourselves as well, that God is indeed gracious and we are truly, very blessed.
Darlene
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sunday, October 2
As we celebrate the sacrament of the Lord ’s Supper today, it seems appropriate to pause to consider the idea of intentionality.
Micah’s minute for stewardship this morning at the 9:30 service started me thinking of this. His story about intentionally making a commitment and then accepting the unintended opportunities to give more was a great reminder that on commitment Sunday, we are making a minimum contribution of our time, money, talents and energy; but there is no rule against increasing them.
Our continuing study of the Gospel of St. Mark continued the theme of intentionality – Jesus made a choice to eat publicly with those who needed His presence the most. I found Andrew’s sermon on this story very challenging. Jesus was “eating publicly with the fallen” and if we are to live like Christ, then how do we do this in our daily lives? How often do our judgements create barriers that prevent us from a fuller embrace of our fuller society?
I know that it is far easier for me to look the other way or cross the street when presented with people who may or may not pose a perceived threat. It is easier to mail in a donation to the Mission or the Shepherds than it is to devote the time and the energy to work with these organisations. Perhaps this is the larger unintended contribution that Micah spoke about, or the ‘wilting from comfort” that Andrew mentioned in his prayer. If grace invites us all to share at the Lord’s Table, then our obligation is to invite others to share from our table.
Geoffrey
Micah’s minute for stewardship this morning at the 9:30 service started me thinking of this. His story about intentionally making a commitment and then accepting the unintended opportunities to give more was a great reminder that on commitment Sunday, we are making a minimum contribution of our time, money, talents and energy; but there is no rule against increasing them.
Our continuing study of the Gospel of St. Mark continued the theme of intentionality – Jesus made a choice to eat publicly with those who needed His presence the most. I found Andrew’s sermon on this story very challenging. Jesus was “eating publicly with the fallen” and if we are to live like Christ, then how do we do this in our daily lives? How often do our judgements create barriers that prevent us from a fuller embrace of our fuller society?
I know that it is far easier for me to look the other way or cross the street when presented with people who may or may not pose a perceived threat. It is easier to mail in a donation to the Mission or the Shepherds than it is to devote the time and the energy to work with these organisations. Perhaps this is the larger unintended contribution that Micah spoke about, or the ‘wilting from comfort” that Andrew mentioned in his prayer. If grace invites us all to share at the Lord’s Table, then our obligation is to invite others to share from our table.
Geoffrey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)