Patience Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson Nov 8 2020
Section 1
Greetings to my church family and friends. May the grace of God be with you.
Announcements
During this odd and disconcerting time of the pandemic much of regular life continues. The bills still need to be paid, the groceries need be picked up, and meals are cooked. While we continue to gather for worship, it is not in the sanctuary in Bayfield or Goderich, but in front of our computer screens, tablets, or sitting in the recliner with the printed page. While I prepare the worship service and announcements I am mindful that it will be received by two congregations: Knox Bayfield and Knox Goderich while Rev Amanda Bisson is on maternity leave. The announcements are both specific to each congregation and inclusive. Our Advent book study will be enriched by the presence of people from congregations.
We will be explore an online group discussion of the book “Light of the World, A beginners guide to Advent” The author is Amy Jill Levine. We will begin our Advent gathering on Sunday November 22nd from 2-3 pm on Zoom. It will continue through to Sunday December 20th. Join in the conversation and see familiar faces. You can order the book online or at the Village Bookstore. Join in regardless of whether you’re reading the book!
Call or email Rev Lisa for details about Zoom training:
● Sunday November 15 at 2 pm
● Wednesday November 18 at 2:30 pm
● Rev Lisa (519) 572-8529 revlisa.knoxbayfield@icloud.com
The major changes in our worship practices continue to impact our faith community. The Lord’s Supper will be part of the first Sunday of Advent – November 29th worship service. You are encouraged to have the communion elements ready for the service. The elements include grape juice or wine and bread. If you are able, you may wish to include a candle, a cross, and of course, your bible.
Thank you! To those of you who have responded with your ‘What I’ve been doing during the pandemic’ stories. I appreciate receiving your accounts. It would be wonderful to hear from each and every one of you from Knox Bayfield and Knox Goderich. You can reach me by email, text, and phone. Did you know I could drop by and we could safely meet outside for a brief chat? We can also connect with Zoom!
Income and Expense Update
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Did you know that you can provide your intentional, proportional, and faithful offerings in different ways? Cheques can be mailed in or someone will drop by to pick it up. You can use PAR, the Pre Authorized Remittance, or e-transfer. Contact Brenda McLean with your questions. Both are easy to set up. It’s easy to make changes, too. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The Session and Finance committee are diligent in their efforts to minimize expenses and meet financial commitments. The following chart illustrates the October income $5,703 and expenses in $5,287 with a year-to-date deficit of $4,982.
This worship service is on our website https://pccweb.ca/knoxbayfieldpc/ and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTYgIPqvkMsDNal0b1gCiPg
We are thankful to Jean Walker, organist, for her efforts in performing the hymns for the YouTube video. Remember to go to the end of the printed material for the lyrics to the hymns.
CALL TO WORSHIP 1 Thess. 4:13–14
People of God, listen… God has done marvelous things. Teach your children all that God has done so that they may live in hope and die in peace.
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE OF PARDON Rom. 8:38–39
Trusting in the mercy of God, let us confess that we might find forgiveness and new life in Christ. Join me in prayer…
Holy and gracious God, you are all light and wonder and glory. You are our strength and our delight; you give us all we need to live. Yet we find ourselves distracted and grasping for more. We chase after our happiness rather than trusting in you. Forgive us, Lord, and turn us back to you. Overwhelm us with your goodness and cover us with grace, for we know that you are the source of life and that is good. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Hear the good news … Nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Believe the gospel! We are forgiven.
# 330 O God, our help in ages past
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION John 6:68
O Holy God, to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life. By the power of your Holy Spirit, speak to us of your promises that we might hear your truth … in Jesus’ name. Amen.
READINGS:
Joshua 24:1–3a, 14-25, Psalm 78:1–7
1Thessalonians 4:13–18, Matthew 25:1-13
# 626 Lord of all power
Patience
Matthew shares the sermon preached to the disciples at the Mount of Olives. Jesus shares this teaching near the end of his life. Today’s reading tells the parable of the bride’s maids waiting for the groom. The parable relates to the emotional anticipation of a wedding. He began with, “The kingdom of heaven will be like this.”
We discover that the women are waiting in anticipation of the groom’s arrival. They go out with some women adequately prepared and others who are not. While they wait, for the groom who has been delayed, they become drowsy and sleep. They wait patiently and then discover that some are do not have oil for their lamps. How do we understand the passage?
It seems the difference between the wise and foolish maids relates to one group being prepared with extra lamp oil. It seems the focus of this parable deals with the necessities of daily life as we wait in faith for the arrival of Christ. It seems we are to wait patiently for what has been promised. It seems such patience and daily life are linked.
Perhaps the point is to live expectantly and hopefully. Christian hope rests in trust … that the God who created the world …. continues to love the world. Christian hope is demonstrated in the scope of the last 2000 years and it is demonstrated in the hope of each individual. Hope can be challenging when things are delayed. Hope can be difficult to hold onto when struggle is constant.
During this odd time in which we live, when the pandemic has a tight grip on the world, we can lose our hope and our sense of balance. We are facing delays and disruptions in our daily lives. There are delays for health care and delays for everyday products. There are delays and disruptions in our work and in our play. Our sense of timing has shifted. We are impatient to return to a sense of what was last year at this time. A time of preparation for the fall. A time to remember the efforts of all who have served to protect the good and just. It is challenging to step away from the traditions of Remembrance Day. It is difficult to look ahead to Advent and Christmas without the anticipation of traditional events.
Yet, we must develop a new sense of patience. A sense of patience that allows us to recognize the good care we must show for others and ourselves. Patience that includes preparations for daily living that looks different from our traditional experience. It may be that we begin to better understand the phrase, hurry up and wait.
Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” How is your light shining during this time of waiting? Have you reached out to others to have conversations about the recent events? Have you stayed in touch with people who may feel isolated or alone? Perhaps you would be willing to stay in touch by sharing your stories about your faith or how your life has changed since the pandemic began. Perhaps you could join in the Advent discussion group and reconnect with others in our faith community. Hopefully you will see familiar faces and maybe a new one or two?
Jesus taught in parables in order to teach about God’s creation. Faithful preparation and action prepares us for the unexpected timing of God. Our faith calls us to reach out to one another in community. Have you discovered new ways of connecting? Reach out and share your discoveries with others. The multitude of amazing technologies allow us to remain safe and to remain connected. Perhaps the pandemic will provide us with the opportunity to develop new skills to share our love of God and love of one another. Praise be to God
# 749 Be still, my soul
THE OFFERING OF OUR LIFE AND LABOUR TO THE LORD
QUOTE: Unless we learn how to humbly tell each other our giving stories, our churches will not learn to give. Randy Alcorn (1954 – ) minister, author
God is a gracious giver who opens the door to all who seek the wisdom of God’s ways. Therefore, let us offer the gifts of our life and labor and come into God’s courts with praise. Freely we have received; freely we give, with gratitude and joy.
BLESSING OF GIFTS *
Join me in the blessing of the offering …
Gracious God, receive our gifts, tokens of thanks for your extravagant blessings, signs of trust in your coming reign of justice, peace, and love; in Jesus’ name. Amen. O great and loving God, we give you thanks that you have given your faithful people a love for justice and the gift of generosity. Bless these gifts and with them reveal your righteousness as we await the coming of your peace. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
You are encouraged to share your concerns and celebrations with the congregation. Your requests will be shared in the prayers of the people and kept in my daily prayers and the prayers of our congregation. Let us pray for all people and all of God’s creation.
Let us offer our prayers and intercessions to God, confident that the love of Christ continues to appear in our lives in surprising and unexpected ways. God of mercy, hear our prayers from across time and space. We pray for all who seek your radiant light in the darkened corners of their lives on during this time of Remembrance. May we find our way to you through our love of one another.
We pray for all who are oppressed by structures within governments and institutions. May we seek to share the blessings of this life, walking in right relationship with you by caring for our neighbor.
We pray for all who have no work, for those without adequate health care, and for all who hunger or have no shelter. Bless us with meaningful work as we love and care for each other under your protection.
We pray for all who suffer violence on dangerous streets, in war-torn places, and in their own homes. May your Spirit be with them. Bless us with your vision that all may flourish with justice and freedom for all.
We remember all who have died … that they may know your peace. Bless each of us with a sure hope of the resurrection, that we may know our risen Christ.
Loving God, we know that you walk with us, and you answer when we call. There are many within our church family in need of your care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy and their family as Ron continues to heal. We lift up Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, and Courtney. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. We pray that your Spirit will linger with your people during this challenging time. A time of isolation that has left many feeling fragmented and in despair. Protect them in your love. We pray you will receive all these cares, loving God.
O Holy One, although we are apart and we join our voices together across space and time to speak the words that Christ taught his disciples … Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
# 655 Give me oil in my lamp
BENEDICTION Wis. 6:17, Amos 5:24, Ps. 70:5
Sisters and brothers, be swift to listen and to be kind. Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. May God, who creates and sustains, keep you keen in faith, cheerful in hope, brimming in justice, and overflowing in love. May the grace of Christ surround you, the love of God uphold you, and the Holy Spirit spark you with unquenchable fire as you wait and work.
Closing Chorus
May the Lord, mighty God bless and keep you forever, Grant you peace, perfect peace, faith in every endeavor Lift your eyes and see His face, and His grace forever, May the Lord, mighty God bless and keep you forever.
Questions for Reflection
In our fast-paced world, daily encounters with delay are sometimes difficult to accept. How can we be intentional in practicing the presence of God, cultivating steadiness and peace in our lives and the world while extending God’s hospitality and love? How can such spiritual attributes empower us to be better advocates in working to create a more just and equitable world?
Morning Prayer
I give thanks for the gift of life this day and for the privilege of loving you by serving others. Give me an opportunity to grow in right relationship with you by promoting justice in the world today though my life, my choices, and my witness. Amen.
Evening Prayer
It is evening, and it is time to sleep. Throughout this day, I have endeavored to serve you by making a difference in the world. Thank you for all caregivers and workers who devote themselves tonight to the well-being of so many. Help me to rest in peace this night and rise tomorrow ready to serve your justice. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Wis. 6:14, Amos 5:241, Thess. 4:13–18, Matt. 25:1–13
O great and loving God, your wisdom is radiant and unfading, easily discerned by all who seek your way. When faithful people live in love and work for justice, heaven breaks into earth. Give us the grace to live confidently and expectantly, trusting that the Lord of history, who has been approaching from all eternity, comes into life continually with compassion, redemption, and hope. Amen.
Scripture readings next week:
Judges 4:1–7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, Matthew 25:14–30
Hymns:
330 O God, our help in ages past
626 Lord of all power
749 Be still, my soul
655 Give me oil in my lamp
#330
O God, our help in ages past
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all our years away.
They fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
still be our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
#626
Lord of all Power
Lord of all power, I give you my will
in joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song,
and, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
Lord of all wisdom, I give you my mind,
rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find.
What eye has not seen and what ear has not heard
is taught by your Spirit and shines from your word.
Lord of all bounty, I give you my heart;
I praise and adore you for all you impart:
your love to inspire me, your word to obey,
I walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
Lord of all being, I give you my all.
If e’er I disown you, I stumble and fall;
but, sworn in glad service your word to obey,
I walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
#749
Be still, my soul
Be still my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to thy God to order and provide;
in every change God faithful will remain.
Be still my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still my soul: thy God doth undertake
to guide the future wisely, as the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul: the waves and winds still know
the voice that ruled them here on earth below.
Be still my soul: when dearest friends depart,
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then shalt thou better know God’s love, God’s heart
who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still my soul: thy Jesus can repay
from his own fullness all death takes away.
Be still my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
#655
Give me oil in my lamp
Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning;
Give me oil in my lamp, I pray.
Give me oil in my lamp; keep me burning;
Keep me burning till the break of day.
Refrain: Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the Servant King;
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna, let us sing!
Give me joy in my heart; keep me praising;
Give me joy in my heart, I pray.
Give me joy in my heart; keep me praising;
Keep me praising till the break of day.
Give me peace in my heart; keep me loving;
Give me peace in my heart, I pray.
Give me peace in my heart; keep me loving;
Keep me loving till the break of day.
Give me love in my heart; keep me serving;
Give me love in my heart, I pray.
Give me love in my heart; keep me serving;
Keep me serving till the break of day.