Written on your heart 21 March 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Call to Worship
Come, all who desire to know God and yearn to see Jesus. Come, all who thirst for the Spirit. Let us worship God with heart, mind, strength and soul, and declare God’s goodness to us.
Hymn# 370 Hallelujah sing to Jesus
Assurance of Pardon
Jesus said, come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, trust that peace and forgiveness are God’s gifts to you. Be renewed by the power of the Spirit that moves with you into each new day. We are called to the promise of God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God. Amen.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer For Illumination
Ps. 119:10–11, 15
Your Word, O God, has power to change our lives and to create a whole new world. As we meditate on your word this day, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may treasure your word with our whole hearts and fix our eyes on you. Amen.
Readings
Jeremiah 31:31–34, Psalm 119:9-16, Hebrews 5:5–10, John 12:20–33
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn # 209 O love that wilt not let me go
Written on your heart
This is the 5th Sunday of Lent- traditionally a time of reflection, a time for emptying ourselves as we remember the journey to the cross…as we prepare for the good news of Easter. In the midst of Lenten reflection, this inspiring message of hope comes from the prophet Jeremiah. He wrote, … “I will put my law within them,” says the Lord, “and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” …
What are we to make of these hopeful words deep in this time of the pandemic? How can these words give us hope? Many communities are dealing with rising infection numbers, slow progress with the vaccines, and continued social isolation measures. We live with caution when our neighbours face different levels of risk. Currently Huron Perth is in the Yellow-Protect category while Lambton Shores is in the Grey-Lockdown zone. The map of Ontario is full of colour categories that illustrate the pandemic risk. Many are struggling with worry over the risk of infection for themselves and others. There is an increasing financial struggle with the ongoing disruptions to the world economy. The many changes and disruptions of the past year have created a weariness and a sense of disconnect within our lives.
There is strength and hope in Jeremiah’s words, which were written as the prophet struggled with the consequences of Israel’s disobedience to the law of God. Their nation was overthrown…the walls of Jerusalem were torn down, their holy temple was destroyed, and many Israelites were banished to Babylon. The prophet realized that humanity did not have the capacity to heal itself. Human solutions and tools are necessary but not enough. The need exists for divine help, a need of resources that only God can provide.
In Jeremiah’s prophecy he speaks to the sense of loss experienced when the temple was destroyed. Jeremiah warned his people of the consequences for their behaviour, for their lack of faith. Despite injustice and exploitation, despite idolatry, despite all the ways the people had broken faith with God—God did not break faith with them. God promised to write the covenant on the hearts of the people. The temple would be part of them.
They felt an immense sense of loss. Loss of community, stability, and a disconnect from the familiar rituals that connected them with God. Instead of judgment, the people received a promise, unexpected good news from the prophet. God will bring newness out of destruction. God will bring hope where there is no hope. Jeremiah spoke of a time when it would no longer be necessary for the law to be engraved in stone and displayed within the temple. The days were coming when the law would be engraved on the hearts of the people and displayed in their lives. The days are coming when the people, from the least to the greatest, will know God.
In John’s gospel, the writer refers to Christ as “high priest according to the order of Melchizedek, which links him to an Old Testament priest and king. Jesus, the anointed one, is connected with the history of Israel, with those who were anointed as prophets, priests, and kings. Christ, the high priest who stands as mediator between the people and God. A priest is human. The priest struggles in life and is called upon to receive, to bear, and to lift up before God the common needs of the people. When Jesus is understood in this way … he can enter into our world and be inter-connected within the fabric of our lives. He is one with God and one with humanity.
When Jesus walked through the crowds at the Passover festival there were some who were eager to meet with him, to learn more about this miracle worker. When Philip and Andrew brought people to him, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
If you work in your garden…you recognize the logic of his words. Grains of wheat die in order to produce the new plant. The seeds cannot remain the same if they are to be fruitful. They must split and lose what they were … in order to become the plant they are intended to be. People must lose their known way of being… we are to let go of our love for our comforts, our expectations, and our sense of control in our own lives.
The parable urges us to look at how we choose to live. To reflect on and examine how we are living into the ways of Jesus. In recent years there have been multiple opportunities to reflect on how we experience life. It can be challenging to see the world through a different viewpoint. It is challenging when we feel our hearts responding to injustice in this world. It can be tempting to turn away in an effort to not see the problem. Yet, we are called to respond.
Brave individuals have formed into courageous groups that seek to clarify the perspectives that are murky. The ongoing efforts within faith communities to seek Justice, Healing and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Increased efforts to recognize and stop the harm perpetuated against individuals who identify as LGBTQ. It is necessary to become informed and to take action to rectify the problems that exist where there is the injustice of oppression, poverty, slavery, and war.
Poverty exists within every continent and every country. Armed conflict, oppression, and tyranny within governments, business, and personal relationships must be addressed. In the words used by Jesus, “Now my soul is troubled” Jesus teaches about suffering, suffering on behalf of others. We can become informed and take action to be in solidarity with those who suffer. When issues are brought out for all to witness, to discuss and explore, then it is possible to seek justice, healing, and reconciliation. Where is God enacting that new life within or around you? What in your life must die so that you may flourish? We are strengthened in faith as we remember that God has written the law on our hearts and we are God’s people.
Praise be to God.
Hymn # 489 Help us to help each other
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: We are God’s smorgasboard of talents and gifts waiting to be served up on behalf of God’s world. David N. Mosser, minister, professor, author
Jesus taught, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and takes on new life, it remains just a single grain. With grateful hearts, we bring the fruit of our lives to God with our offerings to the church.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Heb. 5:7, 9 Gen. 14:18, Heb. 5:5, 6, 9
Join me in prayer:
Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and our hands have been filled with good things. Receive the gifts we bring in gratitude and help us to bless you with dedication of our lives. Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we glorify you, almighty God, with unending thanks and praise. As the high priest Melchizedek blessed Abraham and offered his tithe of bread and wine at your holy altar, may our gifts be used to glorify you in the world.
Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. We open our hearts this day as we lift up our deepest needs and concerns to you, O holy One. We pray for all leaders within your creation. May they heed your call to drive out all violence, domination, and injustice . We pray for our ravaged world, that you would teach us to walk together in your way of righteousness and peace.
We pray for the church, that our prayers would bear the fruit of action when we hear the cries of pain and suffering. We pray for the poor, the terrified, the oppressed, and the isolated. May they find peace with you.
There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, and Grace’s daughter Lisa. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances.
O holy One, we desire to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. Make us true neighbors to one another and true children of your own calling. Lead us to serve others faithfully as disciples of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray…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.
Hymn # 674 In the bulb there is a flower
Benediction
John 12:26 Jer. 31:33
Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Go into this week in peace, to love and serve Christ. May God, whose hand has written the law of love upon your heart, fill you with peace from deep within. May the blessing of God, who loves, forgives, and calls us home, be with you now and always.
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
God is at work offering forgiveness, showing mercy, and giving knowledge of life, death, and salvation. Where is God enacting that new life within or around you? What in your life must die so that you may flourish? What must fall away so that you can rise again in Christ?
Morning Prayer
Loving God, you offer the gift of new life each day. Open my heart to receive this grace that I may be wholly yours, then give me the courage to share this gift wherever I go as I seek to walk in your way of mercy, forgiveness, and newness of life. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Forgiving God, who makes all things new, you know where I have flourished this day, and you know where I have failed. Help me to know that in all my challenges there is a seed of hope that enables me to more faithfully depend on you. May I rest in peace this night and awake refreshed to greet the newness of your day. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Jer. 31:33; John 12:32
Holy God, by the cross and resurrection of Jesus, you lift the suffering world toward hope
and transformation and open the way to eternal salvation. As we move ever closer to the passion of Christ, may your law of love be written on our hearts as he draws all people to himself revealing your love for the world. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47
623 Holy, holy, holy Words: traditional Music: F Schubert
Refrain: Holy, holy, holy, God almighty, Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, everywhere adored!
God without beginning, God eternal One
reigns and rules forever all beneath the sun [Refrain]
Power and love and wonder circling round God’s throne
Praise our God most holy, Lord of Life alone [Refrain]
370 Hallelujah sing to Jesus
Hallelujah! Sing to Jesus! His the sceptre, his the throne;
Hallelujah! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus out of every nation has redeemed us by his blood.
Hallelujah! Not as orphans Are we left in sorrow now;
Hallelujah! He is near us, Faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise, “I am with you evermore”?
Hallelujah! King eternal, Thee the Lord of lords we own;
Hallelujah! Born of Mary, Earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne.
Thou within the veil hast entered, Robed in flesh, our great High Priest.
Thou on earth both priest and victim In the eucharistic feast.
209 O love that wilt not let me go
O Love that wilt not let me go, I can rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow
may richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine’s blaze, its day
may brighter, fairer be.
O joy that seekest my through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain
that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red,
life that shall endless be.
489 Help us to help each other
Help us to help each other, Lord, each other’s cross to share;
let each our friendly aid afford and feel each other’s care.
Up into thee, our living Head, let us in all things grow,
and by thy sacrifice be led the fruits of love to show.
Drawn by the magnet of thy love let all our hearts agree,
and ever to each other move, and ever nearer thee.
This is the bond of perfectness, thy spotless charity.
Oh let us still, we pray, possess the mind that was in thee.
674 In the bulb there is a flower
In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree,
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come our future; What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning, iIn our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection, at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.