The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Welcome to worship at Knox Presbyterian Bayfield on
Announcements
Mission Moment … From Outcast to Owner in Ghana
Aruk Atampure spends each day earning an income as the proprietor of a store in a community in Ghana. When Aruk was a small child, he contracted polio and lost partial use of his legs, causing him to be stigmatized by his family and others in the community. One day, a staff member from the Presbyterian World Service & Development-supported Garu Community-Based Rehabilitation program encouraged Aruk to enrol in the program, where he received entrepreneurial training. Reflecting on the help he received at every stage of this journey, Aruk commented, “I am so grateful.”
Church Signs: God shows no favoritism but our sign guy does. Go Blue Jays!
Have you noticed an interesting or amusing church sign in your journeys? Share with the congregation by sending them to Rev Lisa.
We are thankful to Jean Walker, organist, for her efforts in performing the hymns for the YouTube video.
Your contributions to the church and its ongoing work are appreciated. Your regular offerings allow the church to continue its good work. The Knox Session and Finance committee are diligent in their efforts to minimize expenses and meet financial commitments. Our updated financial reports indicate June income $4,837
and expenses $6,005 with a year-to-date deficit of $5,685.
Expenses were higher than anticipated in June due to unanticipated repairs to the bell tower. Jim Knox was quick to act when our neighbour noticed unwelcome guests coming and going. It was necessary to replace the old wooden louvers due to damage from a family of squirrels. You may notice new, metal louvres when you return to the sanctuary. We anticipate the metal will deter future furry visitors.
Faith Expressed Through the Arts. Submit your artwork for the 2022 PCC Wall Calendar. Art can nourish our souls and bring us closer to God. Presbyterians are invited to submit high-resolution photos that showcase their creative expression, including (but not limited to): drawings/paintings, sculpture, stained glass, seasonal arts and crafts, Sunday School artwork, quilting/knitting/sewing, culinary/baking, gardening, photography, performance art, poetry, and more.
Deadline August 20, 2021 https://presbyterian.ca/2021/07/05/2022-wall-calendar/
The people of Knox Bayfield acknowledge that our community worship, live, play, and work on the traditional lands of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), and Mississauga peoples within Treaty 29, of 1827.
Hymn # 588 A prophet woman broke a jar
Call to Worship
Come to God, in worship and praise through Jesus Christ Come worship God, with strength and weakness, with eager spirits and aging bodies, Come as you are, with devotion and doubt, with weariness and wonder
Assurance of Pardon
Join me in prayer …
Holy, holy, holy Lord, you are the God of glory. We take our impurities for granted and make excuses for our sins. Somehow we expect you, O holy God, to overlook the harm we cause and we demand justice from others. Help us to recognize our hypocrisy. In our hearts we recognize that we do not deserve your mercy. We seek forgiveness as we yearn to be in right relationship with you. We pray you will enliven us with the Holy Spirit. We pray this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
God’s forgiveness shines into the world and the darkness scatters. Jesus knows our every strength and our every weakness and loves us still. We are called to the promise of God’s amazing grace. Thanks be to God. Amen.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Hymn# 528 Jesus calls us here to meet him
Prayer For Illumination
Spirit of the living God, seal in us your Word of truth, the gospel of salvation,
so that we can faithfully follow and joyfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Readings
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:14-29
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn # 717 We cannot own the sunlit sky
Viewpoints
We are bombard with a continual flow of information and opinions on virtually every subject. When we dig just a little deeper we discover that our actions as individuals and as a faith community have significant impact. Part of our responsibility is to delve into these issues to better understand. It is challenging to develop a deeper understanding if we are unable to take in new information. We need eyes to see and ears to hear to form viewpoints and make decisions.
Symbols, physical objects, and stories are powerful. They offer a connection to a deeper awareness and provide a structure that frames our perspective. We see through certain perspectives. I’m thinking of a visit to the optometrist. When I look through the lens wheel and must determine whether the view is clear or not. Is this better or that. Sometimes it is difficult to discern which view is better. Our readings today offer different perspectives. We continued in the book of Samuel and Mark’s gospel. There is confrontation between political power and prophetic faith. There are expressions of joy with the Divine presence and there are acts of resistance and rejection of all that points to God.
We began with the reading of King David’s joy with the return of the Ark of the Covenant. Now that we are almost finished with the pandemic, perhaps we can better understand David’s joyful dancing when the Ark was finally returned to the Israelites. The Ark was constructed during the Israelites’ wanderings in the desert and used until the destruction of the First Temple. There is debate about the contents of the Ark. Generally it is thought that it held the original tablets containing the Ten Commandments. You may recall that the original tablets were broken by Moses, and the second tablets, which remained intact, were held in the Ark. [Exodus 31:18, 32:19, 34:1] The Ark was carried through the desert and when they crossed into the land of Canaan, the waters of the Jordan River miraculously split and the Ark led them through. It was the power of the Ark that allowed them to breach the walls of Jericho.
The Philistines captured the Ark when the Israelites suffered a defeat. It was placed it in the Philistine’s temple of their god Dagon. It is said that they found their idol had fallen on its face the next day. After replacing the statue, they found it decapitated. Soon afterward the entire city struck with a plague. The Philistines moved the Ark to other cities but whatever the Ark went, the Philistines suffered with a plague. After seven months, the Philistines sent the Ark back to the Israelites along with expensive gifts. The mystery of the Ark continues to be intriguing. You may recall it was the subject of the 1981 film “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.” The movie tells of the fictional archeologist’s efforts to safeguard the Ark from falling into the hands of the Nazis. The ark was a concrete symbol of God’s revelation to Moses. The ark tells a story. It points to the story of God delivering people from slavery. It tells of divine guidance into the promised land. It is a narrative that is a reminder of salvation and of the God’s presence. It is a reminder that God leads us.
What symbols, physical objects, and stories help us to … have eyes to see and ears to hear … God’s presence among and within us? What reminds us that our love of God creates the lens through which we see the world? Stories from scripture, stories of our faith community, and our individual faith stories shape us and provide us with memory. Memories that allow us to weather the stormy and difficult times. Memories that guide our viewpoints and decision making. Symbols and physical objects are integral aspects of memory. The cross, the communion table, the church, the bible, and the hymnals. Interacting with members of our congregation. Each provides a link that helps to shift us into a deeper awareness of the Divine. It is the proclamation of God-with-us. It is knowing that the Holy Presence is ever present – we simply need to pause and pay attention.
We discover that King Herod had difficulty deciding which perspective to choose.
Herod chose to see and hear through the premise of protecting his adultery with his brother’s wife. A young girl, seeking to honour her mother causes a man to lose is life. A king chose to honour an oath even when he knew it was the wrong action to take. The gospel of Mark allows us to see how this decision seems to haunt Herod as he sees the actions of John the Baptist continue with Jesus. Mark provides a deeper understanding of the grudge held by Herodias and the conversation between Herodias and her daughter. Herod feared John as a righteous and holy man. Initially, Herod protected John and after his oath to kill him Herod was deeply grieved and saddened. Douglas John Hall describes Herod as ‘The puppet king knows enough about truth to recognize his own falseness’. Herod made a bad decision and stood by it even when he knew it would cause harm to others. We witness Herod’s mixture of anger, fear, and confusion.
How do we process information on the many issues that challenge us each day? Part of our responsibility is to delve into these issues to better understand. It is challenging to develop a deeper understanding of significant issues. We need eyes to see and ears to hear. At times we must set aside our what we think we know in order to hear new information. This can be difficult and it is important.
What helps you to be mindful of the lens through which you see the world? I look forward to hearing from you about the way your viewpoints are shaped and how your decisions are made.
Peace be with you.
Hymn # 689 Simply trusting every day
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. William Arthur Ward, author
Consider what God has provided in Jesus Christ. Remember that, even now, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Rejoice that we are part of God’s plan for all time. We bear witness to the love of God with our offerings of thanksgiving.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Join me in prayer:
Holy Abba of our Lord Jesus Christ, you send the Holy Spirit to help us open our senses to your creation and our hearts to the needs of others. Grant us faith, hope, and imagination to see your vision for this world. We yearn for the time when weapons will be crushed by peace, stomachs will be filled by abundant harvests generously shared, and thirst quenched by pure rain falling from clean skies; when disease will be healed, minds made clear, and bodies made new,
so that all things reveal oneness in Christ.
Glorious God, you created us. It is your will and our destiny that we live into the full humanity of Jesus Christ so that we can praise you, give voice to creation’s joy, and join with all things in heaven and on earth to rejoice in your goodness forever. Thank you for this high calling and privilege. We bring an offering taken from the gifts you have provided. Because they come from you, they are holy. As we return them to you with our thanksgiving, bless them with the power of your love so that they may touch the lives of others and inspire them to join us in giving you thanks.
O holy One, there are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Sandy and family, Judith, Earl, Nicole, Rudy and Grace, Bonnie, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances.
We yearn to hear your voice of love, to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and to see you clearly. By your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to Christ who taught his disciples 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 #648 I’m gonna live
Benediction
Go forth in joy and peace, for you are God’s beloved. Remember that in life and in death, body and soul, you belong to God who promises resurrection in Jesus Christ. May the Holy Trinity fill you with joy, surround you with peace, and lead you to eternal life.
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
The lectionary readings suggest comparing the exuberant dancing and merrymaking of David to Paul’s enthusiastic description of the Christian’s calling, while contrasting these to the deathly revelries of Herod’s court. How do you know which present-day occasions to celebrate with all your might and which to speak out against? To experience one’s self as God’s beloved is a gift beyond compare. For some, it is difficult to receive such a gift; for others, such grace comes more easily. How can we deepen our experience of that gift in ourselves? How might we encourage this gift in others?
Morning Prayer
Creator of light, I greet you as the morning dawns. Thank you for this new day.
May it be for me a sign and an anticipation of your coming kingdom. Fill me with the energy I will need to love all whom I meet today. I pray that I harm no one
and that I may have the mind of Christ as I live in the world he came to save. Receive my body, mind, and spirit as a living sacrifice of thanksgiving for the love you show me in Jesus Christ. And where my wholeness is broken by sin or sickness or the weight of the day, let me seek you in repentance, reach out to you for healing, and lay my burdens before your throne of grace. When the time for rest comes, let me find my repose in you, my comfort in life and my hope of life everlasting, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Faithful God, where I am now the earth is turning away from the sun so that for other parts of the world, the day is just beginning. Thank you for abiding with us
through the day and through the night. As I gather up thoughts of the hours just past and reflect on what, if anything, they mean, guide my meditations. There were times when you used me to love someone with Christ’s love, to encourage someone with a word from the Spirit, to comfort someone with your tender touch,
to challenge someone with your mighty arm. Let me not be proud, arrogant, or boastful. Let me rejoice in your goodness and mercy. I have sinned against you and others this day. I am sorry. By your Spirit, help me to turn away from my sins. Forgive me through the grace of Jesus Christ. Let me go to my rest this night in peace, trusting not in my own goodness, but rejoicing in your glory. If it is your will, let me rise to a new day, giving thanks and praise to you, the triune God, now and forever. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Holy Trinity, yours is the justice that calls power to account. Yours is the love
that calls sinners to repent. Yours is the mercy that forgives us and grants us eternal life. Lead us in the truth about the Beloved, and set us free to rejoice with all our might over the great mystery you have revealed: that you are bringing all things into harmony through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Hymn # 588 A prophet woman broke a jar
A prophet-woman broke a jar by Love’s divine appointing.
With rare perfume she filled the room presiding and anointing.
A prophet-woman broke a jar, the sneers of scorn defying.
With rare perfume she filled the room, preparing Christ for dying.
A faithful woman left a tomb by love’s divine commission.
She saw, she heard, she preached the Word, arising from submission.
A faithful woman left a tomb, with resurrection gospel;
she saw, she heard, she preached the Word, apostle to apostles.
Though woman-wisdom, woman-truth, for centuries were hidden,
unsung, unwritten and unheard, derided and forbidden,
the Spirit’s breath, the Spirit’s fire, on free and slave descending,
can tumble our dividing walls, our shame and sadness mending.
The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, by Love’s divine ordaining,
the friends we need, to serve and lead, their powers and gifts unchanging.
The Spirit knows, the Spirit calls, from women, men and children,
the friends we need, to serve and lead. Rejoice, and make them welcome!
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
528 Jesus calls us here to meet him
Jesus calls us here to meet him, As through word and song and prayer, We affirm God’s promised presence Where his people live and care. Praise the God who keeps his promise; Praise the Son who calls us friends; Praise the Spirit who, among us, To our hopes and fears attends.
Jesus calls us to confess him Word of Life and Lord of all, Sharer of our flesh and frailness Saving all who fail or fall. Tell his holy human story; Tell his tales that all may hear; Tell the world that Christ in glory Came to earth to meet us here.
Jesus calls us to each other: Found in him are no divides. Race and class and sex and language: Such are barriers he derides. Join the hands of friend and stranger; Join the hands of age and youth; Join the faithful and the doubter In their common search for truth.
Jesus calls us to his table Rooted firm in time and space, Where the church in earth and heaven Finds a common meeting place. Share his bread and wine, his body; Share the love of which we sing; Share the feast for saints and sinners
Hosted by our Lord and King.
717 We cannot own the sunlit sky
We cannot own the sunlit sky, The moon, the wildflowers growing, For we are part of all that is Within life’s river flowing. With open hands receive and share The gifts of God’s creation, That all may have abundant life In every earthly nation.
When bodies shiver in the night, And, weary, wait for morning, When children have no bread but tears, And war horns sound their warning, God calls humanity to wake, To join in common labour, That all may have abundant life In oneness with their neighbour.
God calls humanity to join As partners in creating A future free from want of fear,
Life’s goodness celebrating. That new world beckons from afar, Invites our shared endeavour, That all may have abundant life And peace endure forever.
689 Simply trusting every day
Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way, even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all. Refrain
Refrain: Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by,
trusting Him whate’er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all.
Brightly doth his Spirit shine into this poor heart of mine; while he leads I cannot fall, trusting Jesus, that is all. Refrain
Singing if my way be clear, praying, if the path be drear, if in danger for him call, trusting Jesus, that is all. Refrain
Trusting him while life shall last, trusting him till earth be past, till within the jasper wall, trusting Jesus, that is all. Refrain
648 I’m gonna live
I’m gonna live so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! [repeat]
I’m gonna work so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! [repeat]
I’m gonna pray so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! [repeat]
I’m gonna sing so God can use me anywhere, Lord, anytime! [repeat]